Infant Optics DXR-8 Antenna Replacement

Written By: Larsha Johnson
  • Comments: 8
Infant Optics DXR-8 Antenna Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

2

Time Required

20 minutes

Introduction

Replace the antenna to receive better signal.

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    • At the top right, the insulated wire exposes the antenna.

    This photo seems a little washed out.

    Patty Remmell -

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    • Locate antenna connection.

    • Desolder wire to remove. An antenna of a new length can be soldered to the board for improved signal strength.

    • Be careful when using soldering iron.

    My son snapped off the antenna from our DX-8. Instead of desoldering, I spliced together the core wire from the shortened antenna to a section of one of the interior wires from an old iPhone USB cord and reception is now excellent.

    avery -

    What should the antenna be replaced with? Is there a specific length and material that should be used?

    David Steinwedel -

    I was able to splice it with a short segment of antenna wire from a radio. It works well so far. The wire is similar to the product in the link below. You would cut off a short segment (10”) and reveal the wire and splice it with revealed wire from the antenna. I ran the wire out of the existing antenna hole in the back and taped it the monitor to make pulling it out less likely. The wire I used is stiff so it can be bent to ensure it stands up straight.

    Chas Lemley -

    Length of antenna should be 1.2” exactly (but read on re shielded). Reasoning: 1/4 wavelength is ideal reception. 2.4 Ghz actually is 2.4-2.5 approved range from FCC for this unlicensed ISM band. Therefore best to use 2.45 midpoint. 2.45 Ghz full is 122mm or 4.8'“ . 1/4 wavelength is 1.2”. NOTE: what you can see of the antenna on the board and what goes into the antenna housing is actually shielded coax. I image there’s 1.2” of unshielded up in the antenna. So you need to make sure you have only 1.2” of unshielded. I left the coax soldered to the board, snipped to reasonable length, removed shielding, stripped the 24 gauge wire on the inside, measured how much of that was exposed , then cut a length of 24 gauge wire that, when added to what I exposed, would sum to 1.2”. Then stripped that one, soldered them together, tucked that inside, put back together, and tapped the antenna hole closed. Works better than new.

    Howard -

    Finished. I didn’t resolder, I left the original base wire, as many might have noticed, the cable snapped. I spliced it in a half-assed way (later Iif its an issue I’ll go the solder route). for now its spliced with electrical tape just around the connection. I used https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017L... in order to replace the built-in antenna. Getting much better signal strength than original.

    Henry Scharf -

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

Larsha Johnson

Member since: 27/08/15

538 Reputation

2 comments

That’s fine but what antenna did you purchase? My antennae wire is actually broken, started out with the plastic piece breaking then the cable snapped.

Henry Scharf -

I would also like to know what replacement antenna you used.

stilesmccauley -