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[OldTechy]

The following report is the results of my "modding" the DAP-1522 for external antennas.

parts list:
 (2) U.FL to RP-SMA WiFi Antenna Pigtail Adapter
 (2) WIFI Antenna (w/RP-SMA connecion)

note: of course, this mod will void the warranty; and as other have posted,
don't attempt without the requisite, tools, skills, patience, etc.

Opening the enclosure is a delicate process.

A)  On the case-bottom, near the rear, are (2) miniature rubber pads covering the case-screws;
     remove those pads with a fine, narrow/pointed tool; save pads for reuse.
     Unscrew/remove the (2) screws.

B) Next, from the top-side & about 1/3-back from the rear, using a fine, narrow-tool,
    carefully, push-in the (hidden) retaining tab ( one on each side ),
    while gently removing the top by angling-up from the rear.

... picture below shows opened enclosure, before mods ...

..continued ...

[OldTechy]

... continued ...

C) next, the existing internal-antenna pigtail connection(s) must be disconnected from the board.

   This mini-u.FL connection is quite delicate and might be coated with an hard-amber coating
   which must removed by gently, warming with a hair-blower, then slicing the softened-amber
   with a utility, razor-knive. The connector is removed by carefully grasping
   with needle-pliers and "rocking while rotating".

D) Now you have to decide where you wish to locate the external antenna jacks.
    In my case, the front-panel was ideal, as the (removable) plastic-frame has
    conveniently-located cutouts that serve as drill-guides
    for the pilot-holes for the antenna-jack holes.

( image shows hard-amber coating ... one has already been removed )

... continued ....

[OldTechy]

... continued ....

E) with the black, plastic frame, still removed, mount the antenna-jacks and firmly tighten the nuts.

F) Carefully grasping the u.FL connector with needle-pliers,
   connect to the board by "gently rocking while rotating".

G) replace the black-plastic frame on the enclosure base.
   The excess pigtail-cable must be thoughtfully managed
   inside the enclosure. (avoid: tight-turns, kinks, metal, etc.)

H) Reassemble the enclosure-top to the base. First, line-up & engage the front-tabs,
   then gently re-connect the side-tabs. Lastly, re-attach the (2) bottom screws and
   cover with the rubber-pads.

I) Finally, connect your external antennas.  Reconnect DAP-1522 to your network and
   position the device and/or antennas for your optimal WiFi connection.


... continued ...

[OldTechy]

Note-1 : the reason for this project is that the DAP-1522 bridge would occasionally lose the connection
       to the Access-Point (AP) and would then, unfortunately, require a "re-boot" to reestablish a connection.
       The environment is dense in WiFi AP's, with several quite close (severe RF/co-chnl interference).

Note-2 : in addition to the external antennas, other changes were made to optimize the connection-speed.

wireless configuration (initial) -->
  -- MODE : mixed ( "g" & "n" )
  -- Security-mode : WPA2 & AES
  -- Channel width : (AUTO) 20/40mhz
  -- Short GI : checked (yes)
  -- FIXED channel : (1)
  -- Transmission Rate : (BEST)
----------------------------------------

--- (symbols : )
AP_r   - Connection Rate reported by DIR-655 (Mbps)
AP_s  - Signal Strength reported by DIR-655 (%)
WB_s - Signal Strength reported by DAP-1522 (%)

                  *** results ***

Orig. w/Int. ANT's :
--    AP_r       58
--    AP_s      95
--    WB_s      50-55

Mod'd w/Ext. Ant's (*)   
--   AP_r        241 - 300
--   AP_s       100
--   WB_s      81 (70 - 96)
(*) FixedChnl: (4)  & DIR-655 ANT's re-oriented  per user guide (VERT):
 http://www.dlink.com/us/en/home-solutions/support/faqs/routers/what-is-the-best-way-to-position-the-antennas-on-my-dir-series-router-for-optimal-performance

[FurryNutz]

Sounds like your in a area thats WiFi congested. Are most of the APs on 2.4Ghz?
Have you tried 5Ghz to see if that works better for you?

[OldTechy]

  Sounds like your in a area thats WiFi congested. Are most of the APs on 2.4Ghz?
   Have you tried 5Ghz to see if that works better for you?

Thanks for reply.
As originally posted, yes, environment is dense with
interferring AP's and is the reason for the project.

And, it might be unreasonable to expect significant improvement over my
actual connection-results (i.e. 241-300Mbps), which are approaching
the maximum device specification for wifi-signal connection rate.

re -> 5Ghz : my preferred AP is only single-band capable and a 5Ghz connection
                 would probably result in other challenges, due to the separation distance.

Note: an important consideration, not previously revealed, is that
         the DAP-1522 and DIR-655 are located in two separate buildings
         ... (but near the facing walls) approximately 88'+ apart.

[OldTechy]

... concluding ...

In examining the before/after data (shown previously) it can be observed that the addition of
external antennas to the DAP-1522 clearly provides a very significant boost/gain to the
signal-strength and negotiated connection speeds as compared to the original (unmodified) internal antennas. 

This "external-antenna" modification is inexpensive, simple & effective.

Further refinements in strategic device placement, antenna orientations, WiFi channel selection, etc.
allow the user to obtain improved & satisfying connection speeds for many non-ideal environments.

With full implementation of the device's available advanced MIMO technology,
including maximizing the unique available spatial-streams, the DAP-1522 provides
a fast and reliable wireless bridge connection service.

[cortex21795]

there is an easier way to get the amber off.
Pour a small amount of 91% alcohol over it wait a few seconds and you can pull it right up.

[OldTechy]

there is an easier way to get the amber off.
Pour a small amount of 91% alcohol over it wait a few seconds and you can pull it right up.

interesting ... but,

in most households and pharmacies, standard isopropol alcohol is more likely to be 30-70% WATER.
That would NOT be a good thing for use on PCB's or other electronic components.

[cortex21795]

In my local pharmacies and walmarts they usually have 70% and 91%

[OldTechy]

In my local pharmacies and walmarts they usually have 70% and 91%

ok, good luck with that.

[cortex21795]

I opened mine earlier to just take a look inside.
I'm thinking about doing the mod.
Which antenna do you think would be better
dlink ANT24-0700 which im not entirely sure what type of connector is on the actual antenna i know it has a base to put the antenna on that has 1.5m(incredibly lossy) cable with an rp-sma connector on the end
or cisco/linksys hga7t (would use u.fl to rp-tnc instead of u.fl to rp-sma)

[OldTechy]

let me preface  ... I am not an expert on RF or antennas'

to minimize signal loss ::

I would connect use an antenna connected directly to pigtail-jack.

advise :
1) minimize connections in reception circuit.
2) don't use any extension cable  (or antenna with own cable )

look into  this one : TP-LINK TL-ANT2405CL

(ignore antennas with gain claims over ~9 dBi claims )

[cortex21795]

let me preface  ... I am not an expert on RF or antennas'

to minimize signal loss ::

I would connect use an antenna connected directly to pigtail-jack.

advise :
1) minimize connections in reception circuit.
2) don't use any extension cable  (or antenna with own cable )

look into  this one : TP-LINK TL-ANT2405CL

(ignore antennas with gain claims over ~9 dBi claims )

Oh i know pretty much all the omni antennas that claim to be over 7dbi are usually chinese junk(most likely standard 2dbi antenna in a tall plastic shell)

Should i put the antennas right next to each other where i have to drill through the front like you did or could i put them on there through the rubber on the sides drilling holes some where within the crude circles

[OldTechy]

I don't see any problem with that.

MiMo as used with WiFi 802.11n performs best with increased spacial-diversity (theoretically & w/i limits)

Additionally, I oriented the DAP-1522 antennas othogonally ; aligned to match with AP's antennas .

In my experience, spend some time optimizing pig-tail positions inside case. (tricky stuff, that RF)

good luck