Dlink DWL 520+
Wireless hack

I usually come up a quite a few hacks, but since it usually seems simple to me, i never publish them thinking others have done the same before. So i figured to start publishing them.

This Hack includes how to make the Dlink DWL-520+ a bit stronger, theoretically upto 600mw+.

First you will need a DWL-520+ card, another mini-pci wireless card, a phillips head screwdrivers, a soldering iron, new antenna wire, or adapter.


First unscrew the 2 screws (the red circles where i already removed them)


Now You will have access to the mini-pci card. Basically this entire card is a PCI to mini-pci adapter.

Lift the black tab up, and then press the release tabs of the mini-pci card. You can unsolder the wire from the card and add your own adapter to it. or just run a new antenna wire.

A card I would love to try with this is the Extreme Range2 card. Its a lovely 600mw card.

Once I get some new wireless cards to test more with I will update this.


******* Follow Up.

I borrowed the antenna lead off of a Linksys Wireless Cable Modem. It died, and I took it apart to see the motherboard. To my surprise it Uses a mini-pci card. And is easily upgrade-able. I swapped the card with an Intel card. Now have a neat toy. Required breaking off the old antenna post, but worth it.