Re-boxing SB2

[Patrick Dixon]

I'm think about re-boxing my modified SB2 in a metal (ally) box. I will probably ground the box (although I suppose I don't have too since there are only low voltages involved), and I'm wondering what effect this will have on wireless reception. Obviously the external antenna will be unaffected, but there's an internal one too.

Anyone got any thoughts or experience they could share?

Is the existing (plastic) box zinc sprayed, since that seems to work OK?

[seanadams]

I'm think about re-boxing my modified SB2 in a metal (ally) box. I will probably ground the box (although I suppose I don't have too since there are only low voltages involved), and I'm wondering what effect this will have on wireless reception. Obviously the external antenna will be unaffected, but there's an internal one too.

Anyone got any thoughts or experience they could share?

Is the existing (plastic) box zinc sprayed, since that seems to work OK?

The antennas won't work in a metal box. It should work fine with a single antenna though.

You could also look into getting some "pigtail" cables to bring the connector(s) our to the back panel.

The connection on the card is called "MMCX" and the back panel is called "SMA" (reverse polarity SMA to be specific). Some googling should turn up a few choices as these cables are used a lot by antenna hackers.

[seanadams]

Sorry, meant to say "UFL", not MMCX for the internal connector (MMCX was for SB1's 802.11b card). UFL is also known as IPEX.

Something like this should work. Just drill a hole and screw into the back panel:

http://www.netgate.com/product_info....roducts_id=144

[Patrick Dixon]

Sean, many thanks.

If I ever get it done I will post some pictures for you. I have made a few mods to the audio circuitry though, and comparing it to the standard SB2 is like chalk and cheese. Decent though the standard SB2 is, the mods make it a real giant-killer. Shame you're not closer or you could come for a listen! (Plenty of room for parking here).

[Robin Bowes]

Patrick Dixon wrote:
> Sean, many thanks.
>
> If I ever get it done I will post some pictures for you. I have made a
> few mods to the audio circuitry though, and comparing it to the standard
> SB2 is like chalk and cheese. Decent though the standard SB2 is, the
> mods make it a real giant-killer. Shame you're not closer or you could
> come for a listen! (Plenty of room for parking here).

Patrick,

Care to share with us what you've done?

R.

[Patrick Dixon]

Robin,

I sprinkle loads of fairy dust on my soldering iron tip and then get stuck in

I'd say my mods fall somewhere between the simplicity of the Red Wine Audio mods and the butchery of the 'hacksaw' approach. I've reworked the PSU (using Andy Weekes' fabulous SuperRegs), the clock and the output op-amp, and upgraded some of the component types. I need to rebox it now, so that it's in two matching boxes.

If you're in the UK and reasonably located wrt Bristol, email me and maybe we can arrange a listen.

firstname dot lastname @at-view.co.uk