Develop Bugs

Exec - HTC Universal External Antenna

:?: I need a cable to connect to the phone antenna ports on the device - the port is smaller than the ones to be found on some mobiles (such as my old trusty Nokia 6310i) and I need to find out what type of connector is needed.
Does anyone know where a cable can be obtained or what type of connector is needed ?

I need a connector also
It took me weeks to find the special connector for my XDAII. Now I'm in the same boat for the Universal (JASJAR). I've been searching the net for a while to no avail, but hopefully I find one soon and let us know. :?

Sorry just too lazy to go through the manual so decided to ask the enlightened friends on this forum. I want to know if the antenna socket provided at the back of the Universal is for GSM signals. The GSM signal in my home room is too weak so I thought that attaching an external antenna would be beneficial to the strength of the GSM signal. But obviously even if it is so attaching an antenna would be possible only once we have found a suitable connector.
Kind Regards

I mounted an antenna outside my house
For the last 2 years (with my XDAII) I've used an antenna I ran through my outside brickwall and mounted outside my house. It helped the phone go from NO reception to a pretty good signal. I still have the cable running to my office/desk and all I need now is the connector. It has to be out there somewhere. I ended up buying my previous connector from http://digikey.com, but it ended up costing $30 ... but it was worth it. I'll do more digging today and see if I can find out more.
Oh and by the way, I was using GSM on my XDAII and the manual for the Universal says the connector (closest to the center or USB) is for GSM/GPRS.

Anyone find out what adapter fits the jasjar? My adapter for the pda2k does not fit.

I'm still looking
I've sent emails to PDAGold, HTC in Taiwan and i-Mate to not avail. I'm going to keep on looking. Obviously someone has to know.

Some progress - I've found out the connector type
The connector on the phone is a Amphenol MHC-H196.
I've posted a pdf with all the specifications of the connector on the circuit board ... http://wiki.xda-developers.com/uploads/MHCH196.pdf
Now it's just a matter of finding the correct adapter.

Well I gave up trying to find one and made my own
After spending many hours looking and getting an official "not available" from digikey.com (who I got my XDAII adapter from) and imate techsupport ... I decided to make my own. I haven't been able to test it with my Jasjar yet, though, since it's still being repaired at Topp Solutions in Miami.
I ended up using 26 gage solid wire (which is .4mm diameter) and a .062 inch (1.6mm) diameter female pin connector. This is smaller than the diameter of the connector on the phone, which is actually 1.82mm. Although, I expect it to expand slightly (permanently) when it's slid over the connector on the phone. Obviously, it's very crude for now. I just want to see if it works then I might make a prettier one. I included some pictures for fun. By the way this cost me about $9 in material (which I can use for other projects) vs. $35 for the last adapter I bought for my XDAII through Digikey.

From down under , land of long white cloud...
We have had the same issue ( product known as Jas jar)
My user name in this forum is Digs also, see our discussion :
REF: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=18&TopicId=7105
Did you see the interesting comments made by WilsonsElectronics. HTC really stuffed up with this one.
Is there any news on this matter.
At the moment I have sent an information pack to www.pasternack.com and I am currently waiting for a response. These people do customised products. See under technical support. I will keep you friends informed.
http://www.pasternack.com/ContactUs/ContactInformation.asp

I am after an adapter to get a signal booster... www.digitalantenna.com
I talked to them about three products. there email follows
Description Part Number List Price
60dB gain repeater system 4KSBR-50U $699.95
40dB gain repeater system 4KMR-30U $559.95
Direct Connect Amplifier DA4000 $299.95
DA4000:
The DA4000 amplifier must be purchased with an antenna and cell adapter cable and is a direct-connect system. The antenna is placed on the roof and connects to the inside amplifier which with the correct adapter would then connect to the cellular device. We have many adapters for different phones and air cards. If we do not have the adapter for your type of phone or air card the other option is a wireless repeater. However the direct-connect amplifier can provide higher performance because you are directly connected to it. Please use the link at the bottom of this email to download our 2006 on-line catalog. On page 28/29 is our Cell Adapter Cables which lists the adapters per make/model of cellular phone or PC card.
Description Part Number List Price
Direct Connect Amp. DA4000 $299.95
9dB cell antenna 288-PW $129.95
Cable 340-50NM $79.95
Adapter Cable pg 28/29 $19.95
4KSBR-50U:
The 4KSBR-50U system comes with an external antenna, 50' cable, amplifier/repeater, power supply and an internal antenna. So the external antenna can be installed on the roof with the cable going to the amplifier/repeater inside the house. The internal antenna is also plugged into the amplifier/repeater and is installed inside the house. There must be 40' separation and a wall/roof/bulkhead structure between inside and outside antennas.
With a good cellular signal outside the house the 4KSBR-50U system can reach as far as 40 feet from the internal antenna. Generally the SBR can penetrate 1 or 2 inside walls only and each wall will reduce the 40 feet coverage. Also keep in mind the weaker the outside signal the closer you will need to be to the inside antenna. The 4KSBR-50U system must have a signal that is at or greater than -90db to be able to amplify/repeat it.
4KMR-30U:
The 4KMR-30U, 40dB gain dual band cellular repeater system, comes with an external antenna, 30' cable, amplifier/repeater, power supply and an internal antenna. So the external antenna can be installed on the roof with the cable going to the amplifier/repeater inside the house. The internal antenna is also plugged into the amplifier/repeater and is installed inside the house. There must be 20' separation and a wall/roof/bulkhead structure between inside and outside antennas.
With a good cellular signal outside the house the 4KMR-30U system can reach as far as approximately 18 feet from the internal antenna but will not penetrate walls. Also keep in mind the weaker the outside signal the closer you will need to be to the inside antenna. The 4KMR-30U system must have a signal that is at or greater than -90db to be able to amplify/repeat it.

Try here for antennae and adaptors
I haven't checked this very far yet but the picture seems to match...
http://www.boatersphone.com/PDAs.asp[/url]

More detail...at : http://www.boatersphone.com/Adapters.asp
Its the Nokia 359914 Multi Manufacture Cell Phone adpater, You stick a velco thing on your phone next to the internal adapter, and slide the nokia adapter into it. This is NOT a direct plug in into the External GSM jack of the HTC Universal device ( ie Jas Jar ). But looks like our only safe option. Not sure how the velcro thing goes on the device, the Jas Jar has a plastic back ( over the battery )???
Works on these networks, the site says : 900MHz/1800MHz/1900MHz/2100MHz networks
..."This is an extremely effective new kind of adapter, it works on a similar rinciple to the clip-on adapter, with the exception that it is tuned to work on more frequencies. We have tested it on all UK frequencies including 3G, and we know it works on the American 1900MHz band as well! This adapter was originally designed to work on Nokias but we have successfully used it on other makes of phones, making this a (hopefully!) truly universal adapter. It will work on 'candy-bar' style phones which have an internal antenna.
This adapter is two-piece, one piece is a velcro pad which has sticky-back plastic on it, and sticks onto the back of the phone over the internal antenna. The second piece is the adapter itself, which has velcro over the inductive plate, so it can be easily removed, and has a lead so it can be connected to an external antenna. '...

Where did you get the Information that it's a velcro adaptor?
reading the Page it says:
Plug-In Adaptor for O2 XDA Exec
More details about plug-in adaptor in general:
This kind adapter is called a plug-in adapter, for the simple reason that what it does is plug straight into the port on the back of the phone, and provides a cable connection to the antenna.
The plug-in adapter is preferred to the clip-on adpter, as it works on any mobile network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wrote them an email i'll keep you informed.

If you can get a plug in one then fine, but further down the page is where I get my info from. I highlighted in bold, just in case you cant see good.(Ha).
I'll bet the Jas Jar gets allocated the valcro one. As my experience is that its very difficult to find a plug one for the Jas Jar /O2 Exec.

Although I learly can read your bold text and being able to find this on on the page i really have no clue where you find the connection between the velco apdator and the O2 XDA Exec since it's marked with plug-in adaptor. Well we will see.

My apologies, yes "Plug-in Adapters", for "XDA, XDA II, XDA IIs, XDA Exec "..
BUT be carefull, the GSM external jack is very weak as per Wilson Electronic comments. Post me any confirmations of the plug in adapter working.

'Universal' adapters that apparently plug in
Their News page has a paragraph that describes a new adapter for various flavours of the Universal (although calling it Wizard to add to the confusion!) and warns against plugging in incompatible adapters. The adapters page lists the HTC devices under 'Plug-In' not 'Clip-on'. So that's why I posted.
I sent an Email after posting here, but it sounds like they are a small outfit so be patient!
Be careful with making adapters for transmitting antennae. For receiving antennae you can get away with almost anything, but for a transmitter a bad match on a connector will create reflections and emissions; it might even damage the transmitter (don't know if that's a problem here). If you don't see a clear increase on the reception bars with a well placed antenna, the adapter may be sending all the power straight back, doubling the voltage at the transmitter. Make sure everything is matched to 50R.
Nick (gave up my amateur radio license long ago since long hours in the loft didn't fit with married life!) :wink:

Reply from 'Boatersphone'
Can you do an adaptor from the obscure Amphenol MHCH196 socket on the HTC Universal Windows PDA phone? (XDA Exec, MDA Pro etc.). Presumably the other end is an FME f connector for the 'standard' phone antennas. Or alternatively the other end is a portable (non-mounted) antenna on 1800/2100MHz.
Many thanks
+++
Hello,
Yes we have an adapter to connect the HTC Universal to one of our antennae and you are correct about the FME F connection. We don't supply an adapter direct to an antennae, only in a two-part system via an FME connection, to allow for changing of either part.
If you require a portable antenna we have a 3G/Multiband antenna with a magnetic base (on 850/900/1800/1900/2100MHz frequencies) or we have a T-bar window antenna, which is 3G/Triband, although this doesn't produce as good results as the magnetic antenna.
Regards,
Arthur @ BPC

Any news? they don't seem to answer anymore. I wrote him two times. Anybody in contact with him?

Messing about in Boats
They advise to be patient, I bet we've flooded them with enquiries and they quote two days to reply!

External GPS

Hello,
I know that Artemis has its own internal GPS.
But, it is possible to use external GPS?
Because in some car models, there is such "coating" in the front that sometimes very difficult to penetrate by the GPS signal.
My friend has tried many external GPS for his Peugeout 307 and the only one which is working fine is Rikaline GPS.
Thanks for any info.

sure!
If you will have a look into the manual or at the backside of the Artemis, You will find the external gps antenna connector.
http://www.expansys.de/htc/p_htc_item.aspx?i=147380
Otherwise, You can also use an external bluetooth gps mouse

You can use an external Bluetooth GPS device with the Artemis, although I would explore using an external aerial fitted to the Artemis first as these are less costly, most cars fitted with the "Problem" glass have a small area behind the rear view mirror that is not coated. So all yo do is fit the external aerial to the back of the mirror, route the wire around the edge of the screen (hidden for a better looking installation) and it will work without needing the Bluetooth. Have a look for part number 36H00352-00M the HTC Artemis P3300 full edition with TomTom maps comes supplied with this in the box - Mike

Where is GPS antenna

I accidentally bricked my new Rhod500 and bought heavy-used Rhod210 on eBay for parts. I replaced the motherboard, but the problem was with antenna pins, that are slightly different. I soldered wire (2) instead of one antenna and adjusted pins for second antenna (1). The GSM now works, but not the GPS. Probably, I did something wrong. Does anybody knows which one of these is GPS antenna? Thanks!
Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I figured out, (1) is GSM antenna and (2) is GPS. Everything works now, please close the thread.

there appears to be a third antenna at the bottom of the phone. what one is that? i would have put money on that being the gps.

Indeed. Maybe CDMA? One thing I know for sure, my GPS doesn't work if I cut yellow wire (2) or change its length.

The Jack of Clubs said:
there appears to be a third antenna at the bottom of the phone. what one is that? i would have put money on that being the gps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the phone have a separate WiFi antenna?

99ff00 said:
Indeed. Maybe CDMA? One thing I know for sure, my GPS doesn't work if I cut yellow wire (2) or change its length.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have att, gsm.
stevedebi said:
Does the phone have a separate WiFi antenna?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i forgot about wifi. thats probably it. i also forgot about bluetooth. no clue where that is. meh.

sTUPID QUESTION.....
IS the black vinyl like sticker on the back of the phone part of the actual antenna?
I ripped mine off, and now GPS no longer works.

Hi, you mind to make it briefly probable with more details picture as i open it to solve the no sim card problem and now the gps not work.
i might have remove some weld wire or what...
mind to show me details picture how the gps wire goes around?
htc sucks....1 year and all gone

A black sticker at the bottom is bluetooth antenna.

Signal Problems after Using External Antenna

Hi,
Am having problems with my GNex after briefly using the external antenna port in the back when I was out in the middle of nowhere.
Before I used the port, I had good signal pretty much everywhere. At current (after using it) I get no bars (not even enough signal to receive sms) except for in extremely specific spots where it will jump up to full. There seems to be no loss of functionality in spots where I do have signal but I cannot find these without driving around for a while.
Are there any known issues to do with using the external antenna?
Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

Sorry, don't quite follow what you mean by 'external antenna port'?
What exactly did you do?

magnimus1 said:
Sorry, don't quite follow what you mean by 'external antenna port'?
What exactly did you do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the back of SGN, under the cover there is a socket to which you can connect external antenna to boost reception. I think this is what OP meant.
OP: You did try to turn it off and on again, didn't you? Maybe try to take out the battery and live it for some time and turn it on? For some reason it seems to help for some wired issues
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I hope I'm wrong but it sounds just like:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1273292

If you take the back cover off there is a small plug that you can use (it works because I used it for better or worse) with a standard external aerial plug (such as you might have in your car).
I plugged an external aerial into that port at the back so that I could check my phone in a place with very little service.
k_myk said:
On the back of SGN, under the cover there is a socket to which you can connect external antenna to boost reception. I think this is what OP meant.
OP: You did try to turn it off and on again, didn't you? Maybe try to take out the battery and live it for some time and turn it on? For some reason it seems to help for some wired issues
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I've turned it off and on and taken the battery out and stuff many many times.
spamlucal said:
I hope I'm wrong but it sounds just like:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1273292
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds bad. Will look into it. Thanks.

spamlucal said:
I hope I'm wrong but it sounds just like:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1273292
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah that thread is the FIRST thing i thought of. in summary to anyone else, on the other galaxy phones, hooking up an external antenna to the port permanently disabled the regular internal antenna by seperating a connection on the hardware. broken as in permanently and physically. needs to be sent for repair.
so i wouldnt attempt this with the nexus either!

I think that is what has happened. Damn.
Anyone know if this is covered by warranty? Otherwise I'll break out the soldering iron.

more than likely not, but it can't hurt to play dumb and try.

I use and external antenna on my galaxy nexus to get good service and i have not had any problems like that, i still get ordinary service most places without it

Which antenna you use? Can you show us where u bought it?

Yes. What model antenna? The proper antenna is hard to find.
Sent from my Nexus in Texas.

Please note that the antenna connector is ***NOT*** meant as an everyday-use port (and not built to withstand such use). This thing is for testing the radio in the factory when the GN is assembled.
If you plug in a cable every day, even with the correct connector, you will likely break the port sooner or later.

Valynor said:
Please note that the antenna connector is ***NOT*** meant as an everyday-use port (and not built to withstand such use). This thing is for testing the radio in the factory when the GN is assembled.
If you plug in a cable every day, even with the correct connector, you will likely break the port sooner or later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who said anything about unplugging it? Maybe we want to mod our phones for permanent installation.
Sent from my Nexus in Texas.

I'd like a update on this situation as well!

It would be cool to repurpose/extend the pogo pins and attach an external antenna to a desk/car dock.... I too got excited when I saw the connectors.

anything new ??

I am having the same problems with the galaxy s
I am having the exact same issue with a galaxy S
Am having problems with my GNex after briefly using the external antenna port in the back when I was out in the middle of nowhere.
Before I used the port, I had good signal pretty much everywhere. At current (after using it) I get no bars (not even enough signal to receive sms) except for in extremely specific spots where it will jump up to full. There seems to be no loss of functionality in spots where I do have signal but I cannot find these without driving around for a while.
Are there any known issues to do with using the external antenna?
Thanks in advance for any help or advice.[/QUOTE]

If you plugged in an external antenna then you permanently broke an internal connector to the internal antenna. So now you get poor service in all places except the most strong signal areas. I believe there is no way to fix the phone now, its hardware was permanently broke using the external antenna.

What is this socket for on my GT-I9195

It looks like the sockets on my tv box where the antenna connects to the main board.

Looks like a MHF connector, fairly common on older devices for some reasion. Not really sure why, maybe manufacturers envisioned being able to use external antennas to boost reception? Or maybe it's for some sort of vehicle phone mount that would have a mating connector for an external antenna.