Modifying a TP-Link C7 Archer

[azazel1024]

So, my next router is deffinitely a C7 Archer. Between price/performance it seems like a beast. Combined with upgradable external antennas, for 5ghz at least, its a win.

My question is, anyone think on or actually modify the 2.4Ghz internal antennas to external removable ones? It looks like the current antennas are attached through soldered pigtails. So...for replacement, I'd assume you'd need to yank the connectors on an external antenna set with u.fl connectors on it, and then solder the wires directly to the board, and then mount the RP-SMA connectors probably using washers or something (or super glue?) to the chasis after drilling holes for them.

The internal antennas actually don't look all that tiny, but I'd assume they are less gain than even piddly 2dB omni's, let alone the 5dB suckers used for the 5Ghz radios.

Or 8dB antennas all the way around!

Doesn't seem like a project worth taking on anytime soon, as I don't know that I have a need to do it, in part because it'll be replacing a Netgear 3500L, which probably has similar or lower 2.4GHz performance, and I am more than happy with the 2.4GHz performance in my house (well, when running the two 3500L I have at either end of the house).

I am thinking long term though and I want coverage in part of my yard. Right now I am installing a TL-WR849nd in my garage and mounting the antennas right below the eves of the garage roof with some RP-SMA 3' cables. That likely should cover things at the moment. Long I am razing and rebuilding a shed near the corner of my property as a shed/studio and I'd move the AP location out there (a little closer to where I want coverage). Having both 5GHz 11ac and 2.4GHz 11n coverage as wide as can be wouldn't be a bad thing and I can only assume that the C7 will get cheaper and cheaper over time.

 

[L&LD]

I don't know anything about the C7, but I would not recommend buying equipment when you know they don't fit your needs from the start.

Let alone modifying antenna with a blunt instrument like a soldering gun.

When you state that for the price/performance it is a beast: it means that there are probably cheaper and better options available for a little more money that will better match your needs. Especially when you're finally able to buy.

Also; the antenna you're considering is at odds with the 'wide' coverage you want.

Keep researching your options and don't decide today for what you'll do tomorrow.

 

[azazel1024]

Unless I am missing something, cheaper and better does not mean spending a little more money.

There doesn't appear to be anything cheaper, that is better, For spending a little more money, the current reigning Asus might get the job done, but it is a lot more money and has some negatives associated with it.

Either 3 5dB or 8dB omnis with pigtails should be less than $20, and then just a little soldering, or if it would be better to solder on u.fl connectors to the border first, I imagine those could be had for just a couple of dollars for 3 female connectors.

I am just wondering if anyone has modified a C7 like this, or have modified other internal antenna routers that had soldered on antennas how they went about modifying them.

Thanks.

 

[L&LD]

By cheaper and better (but possibly more money); I not only mean at the time when you're actually ready to purchase. But also; I mean in the long term (the life of the router, in this case).

Short term savings will mean nothing if you brick your inexpensive router and then you'll have to buy at least the same one again.

Modifying a router with soldered on antenna may or may not work (not even counting possibly damaging something irrevocably) - unless you know the design parameters of the included antenna and related circuitry; you'll most likely be shooting yourself in the foot by fiddling with them.

Please don't take what I say as gospel; I am only trying to prevent you from going down a path that sounds to me will be costly and possibly unfruitful.

If you go into this with the above expectations, then fine. Even if you attempt this as a learning adventure, I could agree with your moving forward.


But if you think that using a remove and replace approach to getting better performance and for less money on something as delicate and intricate as a consumer router, I think you're mistaken.

Hope you get the response you desire and someone can recommend something for you.

But my advice is save to get the device you know will work for your needs out of the box.

 

[azazel1024]

Okay, I see what you mean.

In all likelihood it would be a learning experience.

I can still remember my first electric motor tear down when I was 8 (Spolier, it still worked when I reassembled it. Sadly the same cannot be said of a similar electric motor tear down on a dying vaccum cleaner motor 6 months ago).

That and maybe, the small off chance that with nice very big external antennas the thing might perform better than anything similar (at least not without also modifying competing devices).

Its not a project for a year soon though. Most likely this is a couple of year from now thing. Just curious

 

[L&LD]

Curiosity is great and so is a willingness to learn. But within a strict budget, you either want an upgrade (on the network, in this case) or you want to learn/experiment.

We usually can't have it both ways.

In two + years time; not only will this device have been replaced by a Wave 3 AC class router that will probably be as cheap or cheaper, but it will have greater performance than if you had the TP Link design engineers help you choose and connect the very best antenna possible too.

Not to mention better access to clients that will take full advantage of all of benefits that the Wave 2 AC class routers are only starting to promise us (still about 6 months out at this time); 4+ antenna and streams, MU-MIMO, and 24 months of RMerlin's great firmware tweaking and updates that will make today's TP Link C7 look like it came from the stone age.

Because in two years time; it will have.

Hardware changes the game too fast to consider learning something so far down the road. Of course, the advantage then would be that it will be dirt cheap to try what you want.

What I have learned from such adventures is that I should do my research, pick my budget and trust the engineers that the product I've chosen has been tweaked as far as it will go. If I buy the product thinking otherwise, I've already made the wrong decision (and I've been there too, ).