yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Laurentwb:
Same for me.

What about putting long wires inside the tablet along the sides ?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ride525:
Erusman,

Great job.

Just comparing pictures #3 and #4. In #3 I see three wires with no MoKo case on. In picture #4 with the MoKo case, I only see two wires.

The center wire (is that GPS?) seems to be missing. Why is that?

Thanks !
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] sdelliott31:
The Etruscan mod is cool, minus the constant dangling wires is cool. I assume when he's moving around or playing games he tucks them in the case? I'm happy that this works for you guys and solved the mystery once and for on of the aluminum case. I hope some of the people that said there was nothing wrong with theirs come and read this thread.

I wonder if Asus will step up and off any trade in program or not.

I sold mine on eBay well in the process of selling. I love it but was torn. This thread gave me a lot of clarity so thanks!

Great job, really all of you!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] RipplingHurst:
Erusman wifi speeds are crazy. My Prime is about 10+20% slower than my old Wi-Fi-g laptop - no -n speeds 5yd from my e3000 router. GPS doesnt work when moving. What about yours erusman?

Btw what happened to the guy who connected the GPS to the headphones? Did it work better with the phone connected?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] jimh1943:
Or are the two antennas there to accommodate dual band routers?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] jchipper:
Makes sense, maybe the poster in Post #534 is onto something,

if the wires will work outside why won't they work under the glass?

---------- Post added at 08:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:16 AM ----------

what kind of wire did you use?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Erusman:
Its HIDDEN! Behind the Moko Leather case. Other option you guys might try which i am toying with is adding these Tyco Wifi Antenna. They are used in laptops but extremely thin. Heck i dunno you might not be able to drill any holes and place these powerful boys someplace in tablet and get excellent wifi. I have a few on order already.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001UG0LE8/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Erusman:
Just test clip wire stranded. Not sure the gauge. Just some test clips I picked up from radioshack. But you might try attaching these to the pogos. I am not sure but they might actually pull a signal inside. And you wont have to drill any holes. I have a few on order. If not I am going to just attach them to the outside behind my leather case.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] janaha_:
I modified the u.fl connector and made a longer center pin to make contact with the center mmcx connector.Still no go on the gps or improved wifi.

The gps mod I made didn't work very well either.

I nedd to quicly toggle wifi to get the gps scanning.Software bug?

However, I do get a lock when on wifi with agps.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Erusman:
Understood. Yes mine never leaves the case so this works great for me. But like a said few posts up i do have some Tyco wifi antenna on order. These things might be able to be placed in the tablet and get yourself some good wifi without having to drill holes. (aluminum backplate might still interfere with wifi though even with these in..... dunno have to test to see.)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] junrider:
Wow.. A Franken Prime. Hehehe.. Did you try soldering the 3 wires into one and have only 1 wire dangling out. Would it produce the same reception?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] jchipper:
think that those Tyco Antenna's would work for the GPS as well or only Wifi?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Thenits:
Janaha_. Did you use a u.fl connector with a flylead. Did you solder the flylead directly to the antenna pcb? u7907 and u7905 do not appear to be MMCX and are designed for momentary conections for testing. It appears from the photos (thanks Ruprect for the photos) that there is only a contact pad within (inside) the test point and not a female contact (receptical) that "holds" the male pin like a MMCX does. I was going to solder a center pin into the test point - effectively making it look more like a u.fl male connector - so it would contact with the u.fl female connector. (tin a copper strand of wire, place inside the test point and then heat the end to melt the solder - small amount - onto the test point signal pad). Did you do a continuity check after you connected the u.fl to the test point?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] green750one:
Doubt it, i'm no rf/gps engineer but they're probably not tuned for gps. If you scroll back a few pages though I did post a link to some small gps antennas that might work - about 25mm square & 2mm thick

What about using an antenna like this http://www.mightygps.com/oem/dielectricantenna.htm it's 2mm thick and might fit inside the case. Have no idea what reception would be like but it seems bit more designed than the stock antenna?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] mbo1951:
Erusman, I have been following your posts and the others from the beginning but have to admit your imagination and humor were what sold me on keeping my defective Prime and possibly trying your mods. I may wait to see ASUS will do before trying what you have done, but I sure appreciate you pioneering spirit.

Regards to you and many thanks to you and the rest for keeping this so civil and fun to follow.

Monte
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] wgr73:
Erusman,

If I were you I'd trim your wires just 1-2mm outside of the case. It looks like they are hanging out several inches. Your signal will not change if you trim them, as long as the wire is exposed out of the rear case. I have tried different lengths and they have no effect outside of the case (also, you don't need the alligator clips on the ends).

I'm glad to see your happy with the mods. I'm about ready to put mine back together. I can manage 11-15 sats (12 locked) with my headphone mod so thats fine for me.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] jchipper:
What about a antenna like this

I can't post it as a real link because i am to new or something so I'll try it this way taoglas.dot com/antennas/GPS-GLONASS_Antennas/Internal_GPS_-_SMT_Loop_Antennas
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] junrider:
Maybe if you use the thinnest wire you can find and slowly start trimming till reception drop(while taped on the back cover), will give you your minimum length. Then you can apply a back cover skin to cover the wires and give you a prime that wont look as bad.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ride525:
Can you move your prime farther away from the router? Mine was about 35 feet away, with the router (unknown to me) on a weak channel. And I had prime in somewhat of a dead spot in my home. Other devices got full speeds there, Prime got 10%-50% speeds.

I ended up moving router 4 feet out of closet, and four feet higher. Prime is fine now, but I'm worried about vacations and weak wifi somewhere.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] bscotth:
Back on topic, my vote is that this is nuts.

If you want a GPS device so badly that you would take a knife to a brand new, 500-600 dollar tablet.. just go buy a TomTom or a Garmin.

Or just do what most of the XDA users do and use your phone.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tshoulihane:
I think you should do it. You'll learn a lot from the experience.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] dagrim1:
Ehm... don't....

There is lots of electronics integrated with the backplate so you'll risk damaging it. Also taking the back cover off isn't as easy as some here seem to think, it's also glued so don't do it unless you have sufficient experience with it.

The people shouting 'do it' and 'just try it' don't care if you break your ATP...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tshoulihane:
You credit us with more generosity than might be fair. I also trip up small children running around in the supermarket.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] chrisfu:
How about a collection for a device to put in the hands of a mod/trusted member of the community for tear-down/experimentation? I'd be happy to contribute 10 bucks to the cause for sure.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] drherron:
I just scatter grapes on the floor, that way I might catch a couple after I leave.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Wordlywisewiz:
Adam the one who did the bootloader unlock with the nook and other stuff..... He tears it apart and works his magic :)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] beavertank:
And I would have too, if it had exhibited these issues when I opened the box. When it develops after two weeks of use, however, it's not that simple.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Spidey01:
I would do it if I had $600 to take a piss with just in case, and buy a better exacto.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] peterk-1:
I've seen no comment about the copper tabs shown in the teardown pictures that go from the GPS antenna towards the outside edge. It could well be that the aluminium back is a ground plane for the antenna (and WiFi?) and that the "pogo" pins are not the source of any trouble but the copper tape to back connection is the source of the "squeeze to work" solution.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Erusman:
Well. I decided on not to exacto off the top lol! I decided to disassemble

the prime! Made myself some plastic tools for the job.

It opened up so easy!!!! I will upload pics tonight.

Those copper tabs on front top half are factory test points for wifi and gps.

Bottom of prime is glued.

Time for some serious mods! And I will test if gps works fine when i put

some external antenna on. :p

I will keep you guys informed.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] nyijedi:
If you've taken the back off, why not just test your WiFi and GPS without the back and without any type of external antenna? This will speak directly to whether the aluminum back is causing serious reception problems.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] dagrim1:
Respect :)

Could you do a step by step tut on how to remove the backplate? (ANd did you use a heatgun for the glue?)

Wonder what your findings will be, and would like to be able to try some myself.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] demandarin:
Oh snap, you did it..lmfao. document everything n you should make a video on your modifications. It'll probably end up being most popular Prime video.

You going tl put an external antennae on? Are you going to solder pogo pin connections? Keep up posted. Anxiously await the pix n results. Kudos to you for taking the leap.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] lp_stealth:
Before you add an external antenna try just soldering the factory connections to see if that is a fix to confirm all the rumors flying around here, also while you're in there see if you can find where the haptic feedback is and if its rubbing something

Thanks for your contribution.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Erusman:
Thanks. Well, i have it next to me atm. I am taking pics via my phone. I will

have to upload those later. But I actually have the thing running while it is

cracked open! Doing some test now. I didn't really think it was going to be

that easy to open up. Trick is starting from the top and using nothing but

plastic tools. (Wedge method of pry and move further down). Plus you don't

need to open this all the way.

I have a few wires I am going to solder on the pogo pins. Right now with it

open the front antenna arent connected. But it is getting same wifi db via

wireless analyzer. With the antenna not even connected! something screwed

there.

I have some wires I temp touched the pogos with. (Wire leads are about 5

inches in lengh) I touched wifi pogo with one lead wire and db in wifi analyzer

jumped from -70ish to 45! Bars on fan went all the way up! Havent done

speedtest yet.

I touched GPS pogo with other lead wire. I started GPS test. I never got

anything no birds or sats. Soon as I touched the GPS pogo. Within 5 sec I had

like 13 birds in view. AMAZING!!!!

Sorry sort of excited here. lol

But i better stop typing on here and get back to work!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] sectachrome:
lolz. This is going to be good.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Moothead2:
Thanks a lot for documenting all this. Two questions; how far away from your router are you when you tested the Wi-Fi and how accurate were the sats when you did the GPS test?

Cheers.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] demandarin:
Ahhh man, you got me over laughing with a sinister tone. hmm..As soon as you tapped wires to wifi n GPS contacts bypassing pogo pins it dramatically increased in reception. Also you said back cracked open showed same results as if closed. I think we on the way to debunking the backplate as the cause..lmao. you better watch out now, people might come after ya for this new breaking info. Keep up the great work! Once all this is done and results are in ill recommend this for a news tip on xda. You might become famous after this..lol
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Erusman:
Yes, forgot to mention the alligator clips were cut when i fitted them in the back of my case. :) In one of the pics you can't see the GPS antenna wire. Because the alligator clip was cut and tucked in the rear of moko case.

Shorter wires are fine. And you could use probably any gauge or type of wire you want. Long as the signal is getting outside that aluminum backplate.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Erusman:
Not sure myself. Just playing around atm. But I did notice factory wifi was just using some thin copper for its wifi and GPS antenna. These Tyco antenna are basically very thin copper coated in plastic shell. But larger. So i would imagine they would have a better chance to grab the signal.

You could probably even cut yourself some copper strips and be fancy with the design and fit them around the entire plastic bezel on front. Then solder a connection to the pogos.

However, its all about if the signal is going to get in there. It may not matter how big of copper strip or Tyco antenna you but in there. The aluminum backplate may block it and you will get same results as factory antenna.

I am a layman when it comes to electroics. I did take a few electronic classes back in the day. Basic... diodes, coils, what a resistor is and what it does.. blah blah. But by any means i am no expert. :D
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PersonOfKnownOrigin:
I wonder if this could be useful:

http://www.sti-co.com/antenna-products/covert-antenna/gps-antennas/transparent-gps
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] wgr73:
Cool dude just wanted to check.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] buxtahuda:
This has been my plan the entire time ^.^

I've been waiting on a carbon fiber Skinomi to get here, at which point I'll create some external antenna and just hold them to the tablet with the skin.

Better reception and same form factor, even if I wanted to put an actual case over the skin. Probably use the WiFi antenna posted by Erusman and that nifty GPS one from PersonOfKnownOrigin if I can. Then I'll be able to show off my mod, beautiful tablet, and awesome connection all at once! :D
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] jchipper:
Great idea! i just ordered a PCB Copper FR4 Circuit Board .025" x 12" x 36" from Ebay www dot ebay dot com/itm/360377165921?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_1295wt_1139
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ruprect:
What about this:

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B4FuGDcJmLedNWVhYzE4OGUtYzE3Ny00Yjg3LTkxMzYtZTBkZTFkZjJmMGFm

It kinda looks similar to those on the board. My 2 year old has put my ipod opening tool god knows where, anyone with an open prime and some verniers or micrometer able to measure dimensions,

MMCX series from amphenol website, if we know what we are dealing with it would be easier to finding the male equivalent.

[/url][/IMG]
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] buxtahuda:
Cool find! Already put up on other thread, I might be interested in trying this too.

Looking forward to your results, how soon should you get it in?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] janaha_:
An update.

Those connectors are actually working.

Both gps and wifi have signal improvement.Wifi +10 db

My cable mod kept loosing connection due too the center wire being too short.

As stated (and shown in a video) in a post earlier the signal drops out when the cable goes in the case.

I just helt the cable in place on the soldering on the pcb, but didn't work.

I think the actual antenna is faulty on my prime.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Wordlywisewiz:
OKAY GUYS! here it is!

Social media attack 2.0!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] jchipper:
I didn't pay for next day shipping so should be here sometime between the 7th and the 13 it what it says... we'll see :) will be fun to play with it though and see if it works :)

---------- Post added at 03:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:41 PM ----------

Here are a couple of Internal GPS - SMT Loop Antennas I found

Sorry I still can't post real links

www dot taoglas dot com/antennas/GPS-GLONASS_Antennas/Internal_GPS_-_SMT_Loop_Antennas/ those look like they might be the ticket for the GPS...

they can be purchased here:

www dot semiconductorstore dot com just do a search for GLA.01 or GLA.02
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] janaha_:
Thanks for the link.

Was about to order one of each but $50 s/h overseas is a bit steep for 2 tiny parts
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Wordlywisewiz:
Guys why don't you help out the social media attack instead of modding :P
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] jchipper:
last i checked this thread was about Mods not a Social media attack on Asus
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ruprect:
Because modding is educational, a challenge, fun and because we can.

Crying into your cornflakes is none of the above,

remember you are on xda-dev, not "Mummy can you pwease fix my ipad"
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Wordlywisewiz:
ohh shut the f*ck up! I got you an unlocked bootloader!

Its also a good way to break your tablet + void your warranty!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] jchipper:
Here is a really good read on GPS Antenna's

www dot taoglas dot com/images/product_images/original_images/TAOGLAS%20-%20GPS%20Active%20Patch%20Antenna%20Application%20Note.pdf
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] ilostmypistons:
worldly's methods have been effective dealing with Asus in the past instead of being a complete dbag how about helping out we have strength in numbers
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Wordlywisewiz:
Thank you!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] jdudb:
I don't want to upset those that have drilled holes in their Prime but as an experiment I placed an old spare GPS patch antenna upside down and resting on the front of the prime right over the GPS internal antenna. From having at best 1 satellite not locked (usually none) to showing 13 and using 9 with an accuracy of at best 18 feet, but usually 24 feet is quite something and all this indoors. Alright, not as good as having my GPS bluetooth dongle paired and getting 8 to 10 feet accuracy, but significant and without having drilled any holes. I will try outside tomorrow. I will then muck around with wifi antennas to see if the same can be done there. The potential is to have something attached to the leather case that holds the Prime without having to voide any warrenty.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ruprect:
Now don't get tetchy princess

As has already been stated, this IS a thread about modding, go get your social media mates rounded up in one of the whinge whinge threads, there's plenty of them to pick from.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] opentoe:
I wish I was better with my hands to try something. My wifi speeds are just OK but now seeing I can get much better signal and speeds is something I would definitely do even if in warranty. I want good speeds now, not in 5 months. I applause everyone helping out here. Asus really should be listening.

Bottom line. What is at fault? Backplate, internal defective parts? Many different things, maybe just a terrible design?

Thanks again! !!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] ugotproblemz:
Hey Wgr when you have a chance, can you post a vid on the heaphone mod? it sounds alot better than drilling a hole...>.>

Thanks,
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] xach:
Hi all,

i've another method of fixing this wifi/gps issue without any soldering work. Basically i slotted in a small thin piece of plastic under the wifi/gps PCB (where the gold plate is) to get a better connection with the pogo pins. However, this can cause the PCB to be slightly bent and im not sure if there are any long term ill effects.

After this i'm getting better WIFI signal than my HTC Desire and managed to lock on to 9 GPS satellites (previously ZERO) in a semi open place.

The increase in signal is also the same as when i attach a wire to the pogo pin. WIFI performance at long range is still sucky but this definitely helped with the GPS signal.

DISCLAIMER : THIS WILL NOT MAKE THE WIFI/GPS SIGNAL ANY BETTER THAN ITS ORIGINAL ****TY DESIGN! It only works for those with ultra-**** wifi/gps signal stemming from pogo pins not touching the antenna PCB at all.

Insert plastic tab as shown in red circle..i pushed it all the way in until the white piece of plastic cannot be seen.

Did it for all three gold plate connectors (WIFI MAIN, AUX and GPS)

Transformer Prime slightly open (pogo pins not connected)

Transformer Prime closed and assembled.

sorry i dont have a screenshot of GPS signal yet.. will post it in when i do.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Thenits:
Again, this mod points toward the pogopins ....and not the antennae pcb. Nice job Xach.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] opentoe:
WOW, no physical altering the tablet and your wifi jumped right up there. I'm still afraid to take mine apart. When you closed yours up, did it bulge up or anything?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] mrokeefe:
Props. This is the solution. Make better contact with the pogo....
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] junrider:
How about electrically conductive paste. Much more precise than soldering and can get the contact to thicken enough to hit the pogopins. Plenty of brands to choose, saw this youtube:

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OajeP-wiUus[/YOUTUBE]
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] monkey10120:
How is your screen bleeding after this? just asking because there is some extra pressure on the case

Simple=best
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] junrider:
How about electrically conductive paste. Much more precise than soldering and can get the contact to thicken enough to hit the pogopins. Plenty of brands to choose, saw this youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OajeP-wiUus

Dont know why embedding a youtube doesnt work....
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] xach:
did not observe bulging of any sort..

dont have a micrometer with me..but my mk.1 eyeball says its around 0.5mm? its actually the piece of plastic that comes with screen protectors for you to push out the air bubbles. its still slightly too thick i feel. maybe a 0.3mm would be better.

the screen bleeding did not change after the mod. i had the quite common slight bleeding at top left corner.. tried to remove it by adjusting the screw but it didnt help.

i actually thought of using the paste first before doing this but i dont have any in my house.. i even thought of dropping a layer of solder on the gold plate to thicken it. but the solder would make it very obvious that i tampered with it should i need to send it back for warranty.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] mrokeefe:
Conductive paste...woot! Im gonna see if i have that at work. Good call.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] buxtahuda:
Fantastic! Updated top of mod section in other thread with this. I too am curious of the effect on light bleed.

Also, has anyone ultimately removed the primary antenna and tested reception versus both antenna? I'm still not convinced both are functioning, but entirely convinced that terrible connections are certainly a large part of why so many units have "botched" WiFi/GPS,

Thanks all, can't wait to check back in the AM

*EDIT: Informative reading above, thanks for the quote on AGC