Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W U.FL Connector Antenna Mod

In this video we are modifying the new Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W board to replace the on board Wi-Fi antenna with an U.FL connector to allow the use of an external antenna.

Please note this modification is done at your own risk and will invalidate any warranty and RF compliance.

The parts used are as follows:
DELTA6B/X/SMAM/RP/S/11 - Swivel Type Antenna, Adjustable Mount, SMA/SMA-RP Male Connector

U.FL-R-SMT-1(10) - RF / Coaxial Connector, U.FL Coaxial, Straight Jack, Surface Mount Vertical, 50 ohm, Brass

JF1R6-CR3-4I - RF / Coaxial Cable Assembly, 90° U.FL Plug to SMA RP Jack, 50 ohm, 3.9 ", 100 mm, Black

[mattklapman]

It is common practice to use a small coupling cap near an RF connector. I suspect a nF cap should be placed in series just before the U.FL connector.

[eformance]

Is the resistor to the U.FL connector in the original schematic or did you infer the purpose of those pads? I was thinking that moving one of the SMD caps from the feedline to the PCB antenna and putting it on those pads would make more sense. They capacitively coupled the PCB antenna, I can't see why they wouldn't do the same for an external antenna connector.

[sokoloft]

I don't understand why you have to cut the trace. Just desolder the resistor?

[BCY]

So it appears the Pi Zero 2 actually benifits from this, nice. I tried this on the original zero and it always just makes the signal worse.

[Aimsport-video]

Would desoldering the surface mount at the end of the track do the same job as cutting the trace?

[prfessoro]

i think that is better to remove/desolder smd element at bottom left and remove insulation layer from both sides (ground) on board and solder there U.FL Connector

[kohcheehao]

Hi there, it's my first time to try soldering of such small components, I disassembled some accessories from my old phone, but I found UFL/IPEX1 and IPEX3/4 both on my old phone (probably, because it's an old phone Soi am not sure), I would like to ask can only use IPEX1 as in the video or have you tried IPEX4? Is there any performance difference between the two?

[danny_the_K]

Why didn’t you just remove the zero ohm resistor instead of cutting the trace?

[newman]

I need an antenna fro raspberry pi zero, how can i find it?

[ipersalvo]

excuse me, but why do you interrupt the copper path ? Do you can only take out the resistece to left ? no ?

Does it improve Bluetooth range? I need to extend range in rpi 4b

[andree]

Great video, just in time! Would it be possible to remove one of these little SMD parts (capacitor) on antenna path instead of irreversibly making a gap in it?
EDIT: I've found, it is possible, but the effectiveness is reduced :-)