My pocket reform has trouble getting good wifi reception in my house, particularly at the work and breakfast tables. This has not been a problem, I have just been more mindful reading morning news from the guardian via gemini. Recently, however, my research laptop broke in an accident, so now the pocket is my only portable computer and I wanted to see if I could improve the wifi. My daughter has made a rad top plate, so ordering the new plate+antenna combo is not an option.
Instead I drilled a hole in the left side panel and installed an antenna connector (the cable has to be at least 20 cm and the connector doesn’t really fit - it is easy to bend the pcb so the hard power switch becomes inaccessible).
Hoping to brag about how gnus splits my inbox like a cybernetic dolphin, I set out to test connection speeds.
They were just as crappy.
I tested some additional antennas, but all at hand were worse than the short one that came with the connector.
I tested to remove the pcb antenna as well, with even worse results. Finally, I reinstalled it attached to the lower right side of the back plate (where there is nothing between the back plate and screen bezel) and now I got really acceptable results at the kitchen table. No Jones, but way better than before.
I did not test using only the pcb antenna in the new position.
Now my pocket looks like this, still with a rad backplate and also a stubby antenna:
If anyone is aware of a good shortish wifi antenna (preferably with splendid looks, whatever that may be) I would be grateful for tips.
(Also, I have noted that every time I disconnect the batteries from the pocket, I need to attach the charger to turn on the keyboard, and the screen will have trouble coming up two times before it is back to normal.)
Cheers and thanks for this super fun little computer, now my only laptop!
