~Toughbooktalk~

Back when my only TB was a MK3 CF-29, I went on sort of a buying spree to explore my options for installing some form of internal WWAN. Instead what happened was that I solved my problem by purchasing a pair of WWAN-ready CF-19s. Bloody TB addiction, I know. So whatever I do with these now is mostly just for fun.

Anyway, here's what I got.

USB to Mini PCIE for WWAN modules that includes a SIM card slot. I used this recently for testing WWAN modules on my desktop PC.


Custom toughbook's breakout board.



Not so useful for a CF-29: Mini PCIE to USB. I've tried to use this way back when I carried an Asus Eeepc. Maybe I should go full derp and just combine these with the above two boards for absolutely no reason.


4 Mini PCIE WWAN modules of various models including that GOBI 3000 Option card that I'm still trying to unlock. There's even an old CDMA/EVDO board that shipped in one of the CF-19's that I probably will never use.

1 Huawei AWS1700/HSDPA/UMTS USB modem stick. My original thought was to crack it open and remove the plastic shell, stick it on custom toughbook's USB board but didn't solve the antennae issue yet.

I have several 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz WLAN U.FL antennas as well as a GP8 GPS antennae.

My latest project was inspired by a post on this forum. I have my eye on the Engenius EMP8603 wifi board for a specific application. There' a spot on a mountain I need to be at to send back a signal. The acces point at the bottom is powerful enough for the stock 2915ABG to receive, but transmitting back down is an issue. My only worry is the separate 5V power cable that I think I need to supply the board in order to crank it up to full 800mw. I also have MMCX cable adapters where I am considering some form of external directional antennae. But the more I go external, the more I think I should just use a powerful ALFA USB adapter and stick a yagi on it.

One of my best friends said I should slap in a mini PCIE HDTV receiver. I think I called him an idiot but he insists it would be cool. I'm not even sure it would run smoothly on a CF-29 anyway.

I'm a tinkerer and freely admit that some of the things I do are a waste of time. Suggestions? Ideas? Insults?

kode-niner wrote:One of my best friends said I should slap in a mini PCIE HDTV receiver. I think I called him an idiot but he insists it would be cool. I'm not even sure it would run smoothly on a CF-29 anyway.
I'm a tinkerer and freely admit that some of the things I do are a waste of time. Suggestions? Ideas? Insults?

I like the TV idea. Don't need HD resolution for a lo-def display LOL, but digital tuners can pick up dozens of over-the-air channels in many metro areas. So I'm like your crazy friend -- Do it! then let us know how it works

mini PCIE HDTV

Won't work in the standard WWAN slot. It has to be from a USB. I put a HDTV receiver in my CF29.

Springfield wrote:

kode-niner wrote:One of my best friends said I should slap in a mini PCIE HDTV receiver. I think I called him an idiot but he insists it would be cool. I'm not even sure it would run smoothly on a CF-29 anyway.
I'm a tinkerer and freely admit that some of the things I do are a waste of time. Suggestions? Ideas? Insults?

I like the TV idea. Don't need HD resolution for a lo-def display LOL, but digital tuners can pick up dozens of over-the-air channels in many metro areas. So I'm like your crazy friend -- Do it! then let us know how it works

I'd have to obtain a cheap board then figure out the antennae requirements.

Shawn wrote:mini PCIE HDTV

Won't work in the standard WWAN slot. It has to be from a USB. I put a HDTV receiver in my CF29.

Ah well that's where CustomTB's USB breakout board combined with the USB->Mini PCIE combo could work! To test that theory I would have to try another type of Mini PCIE board like wifi or something. I don't have a WWAN sled anyway.

I used a USB HDTV stick.
I took it out of the plastic housing and connected it directly to the backside of a external USB port.
I had to use the backside of an external port because all of the internal ports are USB 1.x. The HDTV receivers all took USB 2.x

I suppose you didn't bother with an antennae. What's the reception like?

I connected an external antenna connector. It worked great when connected to the outside antenna. I live 30 plus miles from any TV station. Without the external antenna, I had zero reception.

I will look for the photos.

some links..

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panason ... iated.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panason ... hbook.html

The pics show the external antenna jack. The only pics I found are of when I tried to use the Custom Toughbooks USB port.
I had to eliminate it and solder directly to the rear of an external USB port.

I got a express card setup from a hp for TV. I had it up and running on the Mk1 CF-30 I had with XP, haven't put it back in service since.