Add External Antenna to Pi Zero W [Tutorial]

[@funtechu]

After several requests, I've made a handful of modified Pis available for purchase. If you don't have the soldering tools/skills to solder it on your own, or just don't have the time, check it out! They are available here: www.ebay.com/itm/114773309557

[@ivan_adamovich]

is it still available?

[@funtechu]

@@ivan_adamovich I'm no longer keeping the Pi Zero W in stock, however its successor the Pi Zero 2W is available. Check out the link in the description as that's the only link I'm keeping up-to-date.

[@Carlokrebs]

I havent started doing this but my hands are shaking already 😂

[@keithduffield5239]

Damn, now where did I leave my Hot Air Rework station. Thanks for the informative demonstration. Would be nice to see a version using caveman tools that we all have.

[@eIektrinis]

I would rather do this with a proper soldering iron, instead of hot air.

[@mllawso1]

I did it with a hakko soldering iron. Needless to say the resistor disappeared during the process and I ended bridging the pads with a tinned super fine strand of copper wire I pulled out of of a cable I found. Shockingly, it worked. Still: 3/10, do not recommend.

[@LouiesLog]

You can use a hot air gun they're like £10 - £30 pounds. Or just a solder iron :)

[@andrewmcallister3529]

If I had a rework station and board heater I wouldn't need a video to show me how to add one of those to a board.

[@keithduffield5239]

I wish you luck with your sales of modified boards. Great idea, well done.

[@Frankey2310]

I'd never use a hot air gun for this. A soldering iron will allow you to both remove the 0201, solder the u.FL, clean the resistor pad flat and put it back on without much effort. A hot air gun, on the other hand, can and will necessarily desolder every component in the vicinity, so your tweezer hand must be rock steady: one wrong move and good luck reassembling half the board. Or, worse yet, set the airflow one notch too strong, and all the components are literally blown away. Over 3-4 years as a hobbyist working almost exclusively with SMD, I didn't have many occasions where I picked the hot air gun for PCB work over either an iron, a hot plate or an IR reflow station. And when I do, I tend to damage chips, peel pads off or make some other kind of mess. My advice is to reserve the thing for shrinking the heatshrink.

[@BuildandTinker]

Thanks for the video, but this is way above my soldering skill. Can see a hot mess of melted materials after I attempt this. I hope they add this connector on future revisions of the Pi Zero W as it's a great board.

[@funtechu]

There were a couple of other people with a similar sentiment, so I soldered up a handful of them if you are interested. www.ebay.com/itm/114626906396

[@AtlantaTerry]

Why would the Pi Foundation increase its costs? Most English school children don't need this connector and those who do can add one.

[@theelectronwrangler6416]

I would classify the pi zero as a microcomputer rather than a microcontroller.

[@peepopalaber]

or how it IS described: sbc, single board computer.

[@theelectronwrangler6416]

@@peepopalaber You're not wrong, that is how the pi foundation describes it. That description covers a very broad category of computers with all devices soldered onto the board rather than using sockets/headers. Anything from the pi (or smaller), or an ATX board with a powerful integrated x86 processor would fit that description. My distinction was specifically addressing the difference between a microcontroller and a microcomputer, two small form factor devices with a similar role. I would distinguish the two by whether I/O, memory, etc. are integrated with the CPU or not, though that distinction has gotten fuzzier over time. You can't even distinguish by the presence of an OS, since there's stuff like DuinOS.

[@johndripper]

its not a microcontroller its a SBC single board computer

[@kayboku7281]

you make this look way to easy!

[@jondoough]

annoying this connector isn't included

[@AtlantaTerry]

Probably because must English school children don't need one. And, those who do can add one.

[@DouglasWilson]

Great video! You make it look easy.

[@thattranssings5418]

does the antenna also work to strengthen the bluetooth signal?

[@funtechu]

Yes, on the Pi they both share the same antenna

[@DrkDstroyr1]

Great video that was super informative and helpful! I plan on trying to tackle this project on a new pi 0 im about to start on for a Pwnagotchi project with extended range!

[@clovenbeast5183]

I was wondering when I saw that pad if that's what that was for

[@louf7178]

That is excellent soldering skill. 👍 The only remark I would make is about touching the antenna after installation - I've lifted trace (the conductive material) on boards easily. You don't appear to be too worried about moderate force.

[@jimmymachado3661]

merci au top

[@Msantor1605]

Caleb, any possibility you would be willing to sell a a Pi0 with this mod already done to it? I really want to experiment with different SMA antennas but do not have any of the tools to do this mod :(

[@funtechu]

Update: They are available now! -It's an interesting thought. I don't really have the time to do it right now, but if you are still interested in a month or so I might be able to put something together.-

[@funtechu]

I got around to it and soldered up a couple for you and a few other people who want it. They are available here: www.ebay.com/itm/114626906396

[@Msantor1605]

@@funtechu Ordering one right now. Thank you so much, Sir!

[@funtechu]

@@Msantor1605 Absolutely, and thanks for the suggestion. I'll ship it out this afternoon. Enjoy!

[@funtechu]

@@AtlantaTerry Good point!

[@garrockwaters304]

I am doing the same thing with the Zero and maybe the Pi4. Using the heat gun is scary to me. When I see all those small parts on the board I am afraid they will fly off! I need more practice with that tool. Thanks for the great info!

[@funtechu]

The surface tension of the solder will usually keep everything in place as long as you don't bump it physically. You can also turn down the air speed to start with, and use a wider nozzle. That will make it less likely that items get blown around.

[@mierbeuker8148]

So what type of magic wand did you use to make all that solder just suddenly jump into the right place? I have a couple of Harry Potter wands. Will one of them work? Or do you need a special soldering wand.

[@funtechu]

It's a hot air rework station. The surface tension of the solder pull things into place as soon as it melts

[@REGNiZZ]

Is there one for pi 4?

[@soldiernumberx8921]

I am thinking of learning soldering and doing this as my first project, i just build pwnagotchi and i thought i could maybe extent the antenna range with this.

[@serraraa]

add heat to the resister and keep pulling until it stops resisting

[@MCgranat999]

I can't get that little f*cker off and I'm trying with 340C already… I'm taking pauses because I don't want to burn the board… EDIT Okay, sorry for bugging you I think I'll need to calbibare my hot air since the resistor desoldered at 400C and my 183C Solder around the same temperature… I ended up with 420C on the display at mid to high air speed. But yeah, I'll need to calibrate that.

[@serraraa]

@@MCgranat999 ya that might work

[@alanb76]

Very helpful video. The solder paste has flux in it, I've had good luck without adding additional flux, but whatever works!

[@jimo2865]

I didn’t have the right tools to do this. My WiFi signal was borderline on my pi zero w. I added an external antenna that was not actually connected to the board. I grounded it to the pi and soldered a resistor from the other antenna lead to the same ground. It works! I have a reliable connection now. I assume there is re radiation of the signal getting to the antenna on the pi.

[@__Dallas]

20 odd years getting by without a rework station and you're telling me a $5 computer is going to make me change that?

[@funtechu]

This is doable with just a regular soldering iron, though it's a bit more difficult. If you look at my video on the Pi Zero 2 W, there is a section showing some techniques that can work for soldering this with a regular soldering iron (kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIObqZuJr9V9irc).

[@MarkPentler]

Why are you moving the resistor in the way that you are? What is it connected to with the 45 degree move? Bit hard to see the traces.

[@MarkPentler]

Caleb Begly ahh, simple enough. Cool! Only available on the Zero W?

[@simonmartin4599]

Its possible to fit it with a fine tip soldering iron. The problem with the fine tip is that it cannot feed in enough heat. To get round that, pre-heat the board in your kitchen oven at 120degC(248F) then place it on a ceramic plate to work on. Use gloves or a PCB holder when soldering as it will be too hot to touch.

[@AtlantaTerry]

What about a TS-100 soldering iron with the fine tip installed?

[@simonmartin4599]

@@AtlantaTerry A bigger tip will make it easier to flow the solder but fiddlier to solder without knocking off other components. If that worries you, wrap the surrounding area in Kapton tape. Actually doing the hot air reflow method in the video is really risky without Kapton tape too.

[@Frankey2310]

Or get a tip shaped as an angled frustum, like TS100's BC2 type. Its end is flat and large enough for seriously huge stuff like multistrand copper wire, but its edge is sharp enough even for 0.5mm pitch FFC connector pads. Seriously, it's the best of both worlds! I don't even remember the last time I had to switch to the needle-point tip. It has its uses on boards where 0402s are packed like sardines, but arrangements like that are easy enough to avoid in design.

[@MagicPlants]

Great video!!

[@GregOnSummit]

Are you going to be making any more of them? I just need a few with the connector added. Already have the connectors and antennas

[@funtechu]

I'll be making some more as soon as I can get them back in stock. I have a shipment of the second gen coming as well that will be up soon (hopefully sometime next week). They will be up here, so check back early next week: www.ebay.com/str/techcaleb

[@funtechu]

The second gen boards are now available: www.ebay.com/itm/115117982940 New video coming sometime this week on how to do the modification as well (it's similar to the Pi 4).

[@AlansInventions]

Hey that was a really good video! Nice job.

[@WiFiTube]

Very good explanation, thanks for sharing! I've never worked with a hot air station, but that might change during next few days. :-) I want to solder an SMA connector to my Pi Zero W. Not sure if I try it with my regular soldering station and novice soldering skills or if I ask a friend who owns an hot air soldering station. Best Regards

[@funtechu]

I would definitely recommend the hot air if you have access to it. Maybe you can even ask your friend to do it for you if they are already good with hot air!

[@ameerhamza6159]

Good one!

[@MrBobWareham]

Yes, we all have high-end equipment as you have but not for me I only have a soldering iron and solder so why didn't RP add the socket it would only cost a penny if purchased in thousands?

[@funtechu]

I suspect it's a combination of them thinking that few people will use it, and the cost. The Pi Zero W is a board that they actually sell at a loss usually (which is why most places limit you to only every buying 1) so every penny matters. As for the cost, even when buying in high quantities, a U.FL connector still costs around $0.50. Multiply that by about a million units sold, and that's probably why.

[@AtlantaTerry]

Much of the point of the Raspberry Pi computers is for school children in England to learn to program them and use them as the basis for projects. The kids who need the socket can learn by installing one which is the whole point.

[@MattTester]

Is there a measurable increase in performance doing this? I have a DIY ROADIE in my Tesla, based on a Pi Zero W. The signal is at 30%, enough to remotely view files on the device but not to copy them. As the licence for the software is linked to the Pi, I only get one shot! Just want to make sure its worth it. Any microscope/magnifier recommendations? Thanks.

[@funtechu]

It does have a small performance improvement depending on the choice of antenna. More importantly, having an external antenna gives more flexibility in where you put the antenna which could give better results. I did some measurements for the Pi 4 version which you can find here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4XaiKGQfJ2qi7s In that case the Pi Zero W would be closest to the Ext cut variant shown, so depending on the location, the signal level will likely be either comparable or slightly better (5-10 dBm) than the stock PCB antenna. Those tests are done with an antenna that isn't substantially directional (Molex 206994-0100), but you could also use a slightly more directional antenna to get even better performance.

[@funtechu]

For a microscope, I'm using an AmScope SW-3T24Z with a ring light (LED-144W-ZK) and a 0.5X Barlow lens. But any good binocular scope should work well.

[@MattTester]

@@funtechu Thanks for the response, I appreciate it. Definitely worth experimenting.

[@jankwiatkowski4940]

I want to build amatuer rocket using rpi 0 w. Got already working mpu 6050 board and want to add antenna mod. Unfortunatly it seems pretty hard to do ;/ I only got soldering iron device, and dont think its enough for this operation.

[@compubyte2010]

have you considered an esp32 Cam? half the size of a pi zero .. less pwr consumption too.

[@compubyte2010]

Also, not sure why you would use a mpu605 on a rocket?? Unless you wanted to record how high it went?? Mpu6050 is more for drones, planes, things requiring balance control..

[@hardclide]

Is it possible to add network controller and add external antenna to Raspberry Pi (without W) or this version is designed for using without internet ?

[@funtechu]

The non-W version of the Raspberry Pi Zero doesn't have any of the pads needed for putting on the wifi chip, so it's not really designed for it. In that case your best bet is to get a USB wifi card (or just get a Pi Zero W). For all the full Pi versions starting with the Pi 3, a similar modification is possible (see kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4XaiKGQfJ2qi7s and kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4uqfnqpa7d3qsU)

[@hardclide]

@@funtechu I'll watch it. Thanks for the fast answer

[@jensschroder8214]

The Pi Zero and Pi Zero W is a slow computer. Any Pi 2 B, Pi 3 B or Pi 3 B + or Banana is faster. Soldering paste is not necessary, just apply flux and tin it with a solder wire that is not too thick (1mm or 0.5 mm). Solder paste gets bad over time and can then no longer be used, 0.5 mm solder wire is better for SMD for hobbyists. You can also preheat in the oven to 180 - 200 C.

[@DamoclesMedia]

I have a Zero that I'm running Kali Linux on. I find it can't capture bluetooth devices - even when they're right next to it? Would a simple USB Antenna be of any use?

[@TheBinarydeity]

why doesn't come like that stock?

[@funtechu]

Probably cost. It doesn't cost anything to add the footprint for the connector, and the jumper resistor is about 1/2 of a cent, so it's a compromise that allows people who need an external antenna to modify it, without driving up the cost for the (probably majority) who are just going to use the on-board antenna.

[@AtlantaTerry]

Why? Most likely because most English school children don't need one and those who do can add one.

[@babocsainorbert939]

Don't need to use extra flux under the solder paste. This is why solder balls runs everywhere between the smd components on the board...

[@yxhankun]

simply connect the two with a copper wire since it is a zero ohm resistor. Am I right?

[@yxhankun]

@@funtechu I do not have the raspi zero or a ufo sna base. However i will solder the wifi pig tail directly and save a lot of troubles.

[@greatfreeapps]

:) Nice ty

[@r0f3ll0s]

Thank you very much for the How-To. I am curious if an antenna can actually help my project. I am building a Video-Wall (see piwall.co.uk/). At the moment I am testing if this can be achieved using WIFI. My first conclusion after some testing is, that a noticable amount of data gets lost, thus showing artifacts in the video stream. The transmission protocol is UDP, so it's like "fire and forget" with no error check. The video stream received and tested with a Pi Zero Board is okay, and gets better the closer I am to the WIFI source. Can you make a statement about the robustness of the WIFI connection with your antenna used? Thanks again!

[@WiFiTube]

Your website ist not reachable. Is the project still ongoing? If you have good signal and low interference on the used channel, even with UDP and WiFi you shall get good results.

[@funtechu]

It took a little bit to get around to it, but I finally did an experiment to compare performance with the PCB antenna vs the external antenna that I have (kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4XaiKGQfJ2qi7s). In general, I saw around a maximum of 10dBm improvement in the signal level. The video is for the Pi 4, but the cut trace variant is essentially identical to the Pi Zero W.

[@petersumner1209]

Please there is an L in soldering.... not soddering

[@funtechu]

;)

[@zachhoy]

It is indeed pronounced "sodder" by many

[@TankEpidemic]

im changing my pronounciation to soddering in honor of your comment.

[@compubyte2010]

That's your take away on the whole video? The way his accent pronounces Sodder? ( LOL ). I feel you need to find something more exciting in your life.. If this is the highlight of your day, surfing the web, to complain about the way people pronounce words across the country/world. it's well .. just sad dude...

[@AtlantaTerry]

In the '50s, I grew up in Ohio (where it is said we have no regional accent) and I pronounce it "sodder" as did my father and school teachers.

[@Frankey2310]

There's no need to be picky when it comes to container types if all you're using is IPA - this stuff doesn't melt plastics any more than ethanol does (at least the types actually used for containers; can't vouch for 3D printer stuff like ABS). Acetone is another story, but I'd never risk exposing an assembled PCB to acetone anyway: e.g. the plastic on those DuPont headers will certainly turn into mush in minutes.

[@blackrockcity]

Once in a very rare while, Ive seen isopropyl damage something. Cant think of any examples at the moment. But 99% of the time its perfectly safe to apply it to projects.

[@Swiftbeatz46]

Who else got Bird Person vibes?

[@cmm8202]

Is it just me or does this guy sound like bird person from Rick and Morty

[@tseawell90]

Way too much work. I would rather use a usb dongle antenna.

[@MOLDIA1]

Wow..... that is not what you had in your thumbnail.....

[@savitu12]

Great vídeo!! I need to solder an antenna cable to the embedded antenna on a baby monitor camera board to increase the range, should I solder the center core to one end and the shielding to a different end of the embedded antenna ? Tks. Here is the link to the board: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHjWfn57rKikobc

[@triestelondon]

I think of all those people who complain about pronouncing gif but not enough complain about 'sodder' ffs.

[@BuildandTinker]

'Solder' is the UK correct pronunciation, 'Soder' is the American pronunciation. Now, let's discuss how to say 'Aluminium' 😂

[@philchadwick9470]

Everybody is wrong! My guess (only a guess - they sound very similar) is that the US word for melty metal sticking stuff together is, perhaps, derived from the French Souder. Sounds like a reference to sodomy to the Brit ear though. If you look at the history of the word aloominum it was aloominum for a long time in Europe and Britain and then we changed our minds as it didn't fit in with all the other IUMs. The US didn't change their minds, and why should they, they have their own language (not English, but similar)? They might consider a little brevity though - why, oh why, do you folk (for example) say "I'm going to go ahead and hit that nail" whey you could just say "I'm going to hit that nail" what purpose does the "go ahead and" serve? As to looking things up in a dictionary - which one Websters or the OED? We all have to live with the fact that Americans don't speak English, they speak American English. If you prefer, the British don't speak American English, they speak English - many of us very, very badly. Next time I read someone saying "should of (done something or other)" I may hire a contract killer - but I digress into illiteracy as opposed to differences in languages. Here's an extract from a discussion between an Englishman and a Welshman - (E) "You don't even have a welsh word for restaurant" (W) "So what is the English word then?". E&OE excepted.

[@jagababa]

Great, by watching this, I know, that I am not going to do this

[@murathanbakr1268]

I lost the resistor when I try to resolder it's new place. Can I use the other resistors right below the embedded antenna instead of original one? Are those all same?

[@funtechu]

The things below the embedded antenna are actually capacitors. If you lost the resistor, you can either order a new one from a parts company like Mouser or Digikey (it's a 0 Ohm 0201 resistor) or just snip off a bit of fine stranded wire and use that. It's just a jumper resistor so it should work either way.