[frostedflakes]

I'm thinking about installing a Broadcom HD decoder in the WLAN slot, and then using an internal USB WiFi adapter to replace the card I removed. I was wondering what the best card for this application would be. Are there any USB adapters that have antenna hookups inside that I could connect the two antenna wires built into the Mini 9 to? N isn't a requirement, wireless G would be acceptable.

[TobyRhino]

I think you'll be hard pressed to find one with the same aerial connectors. However you could mod the adapter to make it work. This link may help you along your way.

Antenna Mod for Buffalo Air Station g54

[vrg3]

If you follow TobyRhino's advice and modify a dongle, you might be able to install one or two of these on it:

SparkFun Electronics - U.FL SMD Connector

Another option might be to install the USB wireless adapter under the palmrest where the Bluetooth module normally goes; its built-in antenna might work well enough through the plastic of the palmrest.

Also, have you considered just soldering in a MiniPCIe slot in the area intended for a WWAN card?

[frostedflakes]

Actually soldering a mini PCI-E connector onto the WWAN pads and using that was the original plan. I did some searching, though, and it sounds like the WWAN slot is only connected to the USB bus, and not the PCI-E bus, so non-USB mPCI-E cards (like the Broadcom HD decoder) won't work. However, I haven't really been able to find any first-hand info from someone who has tried other mPCI-E cards in the WWAN slot to confirm it doesn't work, so I'd be curious where this info came from. I'd really like to hear it from someone who has attempted to use other cards in there.

Thanks for the suggestions so far, something like that Buffalo USB adapter looks to be perfect if I do end up needing a replacement WiFi adapter, although it doesn't look like that particular product is still available.

[holmes4]

It is a fact that the WWAN connector in the Mini 9 is wired for USB only.

Hawking has some USB WiFi adapters with antenna connections.

[vrg3]

Ah, my mistake.

I just did a little Googling for the Hawking adapters and it seems like they have SMA jacks; starting there would be a lot easier to modify than one with a built-in antenna, but do you know if they also make one with U.FL connections? I think this is a really clever way to free up the MiniPCIe slot.

[holmes4]

Unlikely - SMA is more common for that sort of thing. I am sure there are adapters.

[frostedflakes]

But I'm curious, how do people know it's USB only? Do you have links to threads where people tried other cards in the WWAN slot? Because I've done a lot of searching, and all I can seem to find is second/third/etc hand info.

And thanks, I'll check into the Hawking adapters.

[holmes4]

I don't have links (without a lot of searching), but this was established early on in our Mini 9 experiences. People with signal testing skills and looking at the traces determined that this was the case. Yes, people have tried other cards in the WWAN slot and only USB cards work there.

[frostedflakes]

Fair enough, then. I just wanted to make absolutely sure.

I've also been looking for a WiFi card that supports USB interface, and came by this (actually found by another MyDellMini member looking to do something similar with their Mini 10, I think).

QCOM miniPCI-E WIFI card / USB

So in theory, I should be able to install the Broadcom HD decoder in the true mPCI-E slot, then install this USB-based WiFi mPCI-E card in the WWAN slot. It looks to have the same antenna connections as the current WiFi card, so this should be a pretty convenient solution. Once I solder the mPCI-E slot and standoffs, it will just be a matter of plugging everything in.