Is an antenna an antenna or are there different kinds?

General · 04-27-2007, 07:18 PM

My laptop has a built-in antenna that extends about 2 feet, which I believe might be for cellular phone communication, but maybe it is used like a walkie talkie. How can I determine what type of antenna this is (I've actually opened the rubber case and looked at it)? Is it possible that this could be used with a 802.11 chip, rather than having a tightly rapped coil bunched up inside my laptop?

Okie · 04-27-2007, 08:36 PM

antennas (especially for transmitting radio frequencies) are designed to specific lengths (tuned) so they resonate best on the frequency the transmitter is using, i suggest you find the owners manual for that laptop and find out what exactly it is used for...

the wrong antenna on a radio transmitter can cause high SWR and possibly burn up the transmitting drivers & finals (transistors)...