Antenna cover with larger Wi-Fi and LTE antennas (lionellvp)
A printed replacement for the stock antenna cover that hides a full-size dual-band Wi-Fi antenna and an LTE antenna behind an engraved 'uConsole CM4' panel.
What it takes
- 3D print
- Disassembly
- Purchase required
Difficulty 2 of 3 — moderate.
Details
Steve (lionellvp) modelled a cover for the antenna area deep enough for cheap AliExpress antennas — a dual-band Wi-Fi antenna (≈ €5) and an LTE antenna (≈ €3) glued inside — with the cover and a button insert printed and attached with thin double-sided tape. Files and notes live in his uConsole CM4 custom-projects repository on GitHub. He reports Wi-Fi 'improved significantly' but posted no numbers.
The cover blocks the SD card slot, which he does not need on an eMMC module; Alok_Sandal asked for a screw-on version and owners of other cores asked for variants, so check the fit for your build.
Links
Open at Forum threadRelated mods
A tape-on printed hinge that holds the antenna flat for carrying and folds it up, clear of the metal body, when you need the signal.
A PLA shell that clips onto the back using the stand as its anchor, plus an antenna mount with two clip positions — flat for the bag, deployed for range.
A minimal printed shroud over the HackerGadgets 7-antenna board that keeps SD card access and leaves room to tidy the pigtails.
A slimmer plastic backplate that helps Wi-Fi by getting the aluminium out of the way and hides extra radio hardware, with a matching antenna side compartment.
One line in config.txt switches a CM4 from its on-module PCB antenna to the u.FL connector the uConsole's antenna is actually plugged into.
Swap the stock foil antenna for a u.FL-to-RP-SMA pigtail, a small dual-band whip and a printed mount, with three years of measurements behind the choice.