Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Mikebugz · Sun Nov 03, 2019 6:41 am

I have this small router and love it except the wireless coverage. I found there seems to be 2 U.FL IPEX1 female ports on the board, just wanted to know if I am correct and if anyone successful added external antennas onto it?

krafg · Mon Nov 04, 2019 12:31 pm

I'm not sure if it is a well known connector like u.fl, but you can try to connect a small antenna to it by some way and see if works. Probably works, it says that works with 2,4Ghz and 5Ghz antennas. The most probably recommended is atatch a dual band antenna to use both chains.

Regards.

xvo · Mon Nov 04, 2019 12:57 pm

You will probably need to unsolder or reposition some resistors to disconnect internal antennas and connect your own.
Better contact support directly on this.

ArtursL · Mon Nov 04, 2019 3:48 pm

Those are SWD coaxial switch connectors. You can plug into it using something like this: http://www.woken.com.tw/product_00100A1 ... _spec.html
Different manufacturers call this connector differently.
It works like a switch - if you plug into it, a path to the antenna will break and signal will go only to the connector.
With this connector usually, there is no need for soldering to hijack the signal through the connector.

Mon Nov 04, 2019 3:49 pm

I would just like to add, that these are used for internal debugging, they are not meant for antennas, and you will have difficulty finding the needed adapters. But they could work as antennas.

Mikebugz · Sat Nov 09, 2019 4:50 am

Those are SWD coaxial switch connectors. You can plug into it using something like this: http://www.woken.com.tw/product_00100A1 ... _spec.html
Different manufacturers call this connector differently.
It works like a switch - if you plug into it, a path to the antenna will break and signal will go only to the connector.
With this connector usually, there is no need for soldering to hijack the signal through the connector.

Thanks! I am in Taipei now, will try to find these connectors today.

rhen · Fri Apr 03, 2020 11:54 am

Thanks! I am in Taipei now, will try to find these connectors today.

I know it is an old thread, but have you able to successfully connect external antennas to the board?

AmitDE · Mon Sep 14, 2020 7:14 pm

I faced same issue , installed Mikrotik HAP AC2 in room 1 , room 2 , with one wall in between and 8 m away, no signal. Opened the box , relatively easy to open, found the two antenna connections , fitted external antenna from an older router and yes ! 100 mbps at the router , thats the provider speed and 80 mbps at in another room , 8 m away.
Just that the HAP AC2 looks litte untidy. but no speed loss .

Mikrotik_Antenna_IMG_4677.jpg

rhen · Tue Sep 22, 2020 1:40 pm

I faced same issue , installed Mikrotik HAP AC2 in room 1 , room 2 , with one wall in between and 8 m away, no signal. Opened the box , relatively easy to open, found the two antenna connections , fitted external antenna from an older router and yes ! 100 mbps at the router , thats the provider speed and 80 mbps at in another room , 8 m away.
Just that the HAP AC2 looks litte untidy. but no speed loss . Mikrotik_Antenna_IMG_4677.jpg

Hello Amit,

What adapter have you used for connecting the antennas?
Do you think this can work? https://mikrotik.com/product/ACMMCXRPSMA
Or I should find an U.FL male to RP-SMA adapter?

Thanks,
Tamas

santyx32 · Thu Sep 24, 2020 3:26 am

I faced same issue , installed Mikrotik HAP AC2 in room 1 , room 2 , with one wall in between and 8 m away, no signal. Opened the box , relatively easy to open, found the two antenna connections , fitted external antenna from an older router and yes ! 100 mbps at the router , thats the provider speed and 80 mbps at in another room , 8 m away.
Just that the HAP AC2 looks litte untidy. but no speed loss . Mikrotik_Antenna_IMG_4677.jpg

How to convert your ac2 into ac3

AmitDE · Sat Sep 26, 2020 9:18 am

Hi Tamas , i dont know the technical specs of the antenna i attached . It was from a old fritzbox router. The connectors on pcb are female . Mini U.FL should fit well .

oblivion2 · Wed Sep 30, 2020 8:18 pm

I faced same issue , installed Mikrotik HAP AC2 in room 1 , room 2 , with one wall in between and 8 m away, no signal. Opened the box , relatively easy to open, found the two antenna connections , fitted external antenna from an older router and yes ! 100 mbps at the router , thats the provider speed and 80 mbps at in another room , 8 m away.
Just that the HAP AC2 looks litte untidy. but no speed loss . Mikrotik_Antenna_IMG_4677.jpg

Can you show us how you connected it? I'd like to mod mine too...
A pic of the inside would really help. Thanks!

doneware · Sun Oct 11, 2020 12:02 pm

Or I should find an U.FL male to RP-SMA adapter?

it's definitely not mmcx.
just tested the same connectors on a hAP ac with an u.FL to RPSMA pigtail, seems to fits perfectly, see attached photos.
the actual connectors on the boards are pretty different though. i added two close up photos from both, and i am wondering how is that the regular uFL is making contact with the special connector without the protruding pin.
UPDATE: it's quite possible we need a male u.FL plug on one end. and i am not sure how solid this joint would be

Bagpuss · Tue Aug 03, 2021 2:19 pm

Hello! Can anyone help by pointing me towards a connector that will actually fit onto those tiny antenna plugs, please? I’ve tried and tried, searched and shopped. Had deliveries of 4 different products, taken apart old routers, googled, read, the lot. No success!

What I want to do is just connect some antenna leads so I can place antennas externally. I thought it would be simple!

I’m UK based, but quite happy to ship things in from the Chinese store of all electronics or the like. Can anyone provide a link, or tell me precisely what to search for, please? Or even some more clues!

aa74 · Thu Aug 05, 2021 3:11 pm

Hello! Can anyone help by pointing me towards a connector that will actually fit onto those tiny antenna plugs, please? I’ve tried and tried, searched and shopped. Had deliveries of 4 different products, taken apart old routers, googled, read, the lot. No success!

What I want to do is just connect some antenna leads so I can place antennas externally. I thought it would be simple!

I’m UK based, but quite happy to ship things in from the Chinese store of all electronics or the like. Can anyone provide a link, or tell me precisely what to search for, please? Or even some more clues!

I found this: https://www.element14.com/community/thr ... connectors

DualPerson · Fri Dec 03, 2021 5:36 pm

After not finding any suitable connector I went with the old ways, desoldring the internal antenna, attaching a rp sma cable to to the antenna connection by soldering. Now my range has tripled with a 9dbi antenna

dtrifonov · Sun Jan 30, 2022 6:56 pm

Hi all,
There are at least two possible options. As ArtursL and normis said these connectors are meant for debugging purpose.

I was searching for the same connector and found this. https://www.murata.com/en-eu/products/c ... hconnector
1.MHF-SW23 made by (I-PEX) DAI-ICHI SEIKO Co., Ltd https://www.i-pex.com/product/mhf-sw23

mhf-sw23.png

2. MM8130-2600 made by muRata https://www.murata.com/-/media/webrenew ... 4627000000

MM8130-2600.png

Option 2 is most likely the one we find in our devices.
You need something like this plug: https://www.i-pex.com/sites/default/fil ... PLUG_E.pdf

I-PEX-MHF-SW23-Plug.png

Usually, during manufacturing process are used these type of connectors : https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32959006558.html

RF-probe.png

trohnjavolta · Sun Mar 06, 2022 11:31 am

Option 2 is most likely the one we find in our devices.
You need something like this plug: https://www.i-pex.com/sites/default/fil ... PLUG_E.pdf
I-PEX-MHF-SW23-Plug.png
[/quote]

Did anyone find a source to buy these adapters to hook up antennas?... or sth. else that will fit?
I tried "normal" u.fl female adapters but they don't seem to work.
I'm trying to buy fitting adapters, idealy in Europe.

I just found mf-sw23 ones but not sure if these can fit:
https://www.ebay.at/itm/185052478425?ha ... GTR=1#shId

hendrysetiadi · Sat Jul 01, 2023 5:45 am

After not finding any suitable connector I went with the old ways, desoldring the internal antenna, attaching a rp sma cable to to the antenna connection by soldering. Now my range has tripled with a 9dbi antenna

how did you desoldering the antenna ?
can u show me some pictures on which part did you desolder ?

angelovmaxim · Mon Feb 12, 2024 11:51 am

The Chinese call the connector MS156

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001 ... cification

ajejebrazorf · Sat Nov 16, 2024 3:47 pm

Ordered this from Aliexpress: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007225091883.html

Great improvement in range

treks · Thu Dec 26, 2024 10:19 pm

Everything connects and works fine.

MS156 MS-156 MHF SW23 Micro RF Koax auf SMA Buchse 1,13 mm Kabel 50 Ohm SW-23
https://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_from=R4 ... 3&_sacat=0
https://www.ebay.de/itm/185052408536?var=692826036031

nette · Sat Dec 28, 2024 5:44 pm

Did you obtain any gain in range afterwards?
I have exactly the same antennas but I have soldered pigtails directly to the pads on the board where original internal antennas were attached. The range seems to be lower now

Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)

Re: Antenna mod for hAP ac2 (RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC)