the101 external antenna mod

lost_sock

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Trying out this new rain one plan and got the101 router. Problem is, I want to use external antennas and the101 doesn't have external antenna ports, the sim is also internal, so I can't just switch the sim to a different router.

Perfect excuse to do some modding! I popped open the101 with the intention of adding 4x IPEX-SMA pigtails to do 4x4 MIMO with external antennas. The gaps on the back of the unit for the wall mount are big enough to route the cables through for a non-destructive mod, I've 3d printed a bracket to replace the wall bracket and hold the new SMA connectors.

Caught me off guard seeing 14 antennas though! Before I go through the trial and error of figuring out which connectors are which, anyone else working on this?
 

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Not having an external antenna is a drawback. There are so many factors that can attenuate a radio signal that fitting an external antenna is essential

(3) looks like an antenna to me, unless its the wi-fi output. You should be able to measure a voltage if so
 
A peek under the heatsink reveals a Quectel RG500L-EU chip! Looking at the datasheet and reference design, this is my best guesstimate mapping the101 pcb numbering to the chip antenna connections. Next step is just hooking up the external antennas and seeing if I'm on the money!

4G
the101 #8 TRX0 ANT1
the101 #5 DRX1 ANT4
the101 #4 PRX1 ANT5
the101 #2 TRX1 ANT7

5G
the101 #9 TRX0 ANT0
the101 #7 DRX1 ANT2
the101 #6 PRX1 ANT3
the101 #3 TRX1 ANT6
 

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A peek under the heatsink reveals a Quectel RG500L-EU chip! Looking at the datasheet and reference design, this is my best guesstimate mapping the101 pcb numbering to the chip antenna connections. Next step is just hooking up the external antennas and seeing if I'm on the money!

4G
the101 #8 TRX0 ANT1
the101 #5 DRX1 ANT4
the101 #4 PRX1 ANT5
the101 #2 TRX1 ANT7

5G
the101 #9 TRX0 ANT0
the101 #7 DRX1 ANT2
the101 #6 PRX1 ANT3
the101 #3 TRX1 ANT6
you going to connect to all ports?
Wonder if they using the multi antennas for balancing or fall over
 
wont this void the warranty on the router? is it completely removable, should you need to return it to stock?
It's completely reversable, just unplug the internal antenna and plug in the pigtail that routes through a hole in back, connectors are mounted to a 3d printed part. That being said, opening it at all probably voids warranty.
 
you going to connect to all ports?
Wonder if they using the multi antennas for balancing or fall over
I'm going to do 4x4 MIMO on the 4G ports, no 5G coverage here yet. There are 8 antennas, 4 suitable for Mid/High Bands(4G) and 4 suitable for Ultra High (5G).
 
Using a pair of Poynting XPOL-6, one in standard orientation, the second 45deg offset and 60cm apart vertically.
Thanks for posting about this! What with load-shedding and some towers "konking" out especially during stage 6 I also immediately thought about doing this for lower signal tolerance. Any luck so far?
 
The mod works, unfortunately not the results I was hoping for though. To be fair, I'm in a pretty remote area and the external antenna did double my speed, but going from 10/1 to 20/2 and ping still garbage, is hardly a big win.

I found that only the primary 4G antenna on #8, #5 made a difference. The secondary on #4, #2 does nothing. I'm not sure if this is because the tower doesn't support 4x4, or it might need a stronger signal before kicking in.

If you're starting with a better baseline then it might work well for you, but for me... I'm just hanging on until I can get my hands on starlink.
 
Hmmmm. FBI has entered the chat.

That router aint your's to be disecting and doing as you wish.
 
A peek under the heatsink reveals a Quectel RG500L-EU chip! Looking at the datasheet and reference design, this is my best guesstimate mapping the101 pcb numbering to the chip antenna connections. Next step is just hooking up the external antennas and seeing if I'm on the money!

4G
the101 #8 TRX0 ANT1
the101 #5 DRX1 ANT4
the101 #4 PRX1 ANT5
the101 #2 TRX1 ANT7

5G
the101 #9 TRX0 ANT0
the101 #7 DRX1 ANT2
the101 #6 PRX1 ANT3
the101 #3 TRX1 ANT6
I am also looking at doing this, the problem is that is a single port antenna, thus you will need an external sma duplexer to separate the RX and TX paths. They are available from Webb Industries but they are really expensive
 
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