Re: [Discuss-gnuradio] Quad patch antenna / RFX 2400

[Dan Halperin]

Shravan Rayanchu wrote:
> 1. How to use the quadpatch -- I have a copper coax tube that came
> along with the antenna. I could connect the coax to TX/RX port on the
> RFX 2400, but what after that? .. the quadpatch pad does not seem to
> have any interface ..... do I need to solder or something? (I could
> not understand much from patch2400.pdf on ettus.com)
That PDF has instructions about how to solder the antenna onto the
coax... that's what you need to do to make this work. The part of the
diagram labelled "coax prep" shows how you need to strip the coating off
of the coax, and then you solder the coax shield onto the patch ("Side
View"), and then solder the exposed cable tip into the holes. The
pictures are actually very informative; if you don't understand then
hopefully you can find someone with soldering experience to do it for you.
> 2. Is there any other way to use RFX2400 (w/o the quadpatch)?
You could also order a screw-on rubberduck antenna. It's non-directional
and has lower gain, but is inherently simpler. I ordered this:

http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/24ghz_802.11_rubber_duck_antenna_7dbi_sm.php

Make sure it has the SMA-Male connector; it should just screw into the
board.

(I haven't received these antennas and tested them yet, but they should
work.)

-Dan