radio chip replacement

considering the new price it's possible but uneconomical

Try resetting the firmware to defaults before you attack. Miracles are often useful.

The power amp is mostly likely blown. 250mw out will not hurt the power amp at room temperature, but will fry the chip with a high ambient temperature or if air circulation is somehow blocked. At

I've replaced 2 of these chips with 50% success. The first, I attempted with a soldering iron and solder wick. I trashed the board. The 2nd I did with a hot air soldering iron, which was both easier and worked just fine.

I'm not sure which chip is used in the version 2 hardware. My guess(tm) is a SiGe 252x chip such as:

I have a v2 in my palatial office and can check the chip number if necessary. You'll have to open up your router anyway, so you might as well do the part number research yourself.

Meanwhile, at the alt.internet.wireless Job Justification Hearings, JIMMIE chose the tried and tested strategy of:

Some routers used to have MiniPCI cards with the radio on, in which case it's eminently possible. I'm not sure if that model was one of them, however.

Hardware v1.0 and 1.1 have a MiniPCI RF card inside. All the other mutations have the wireless devices on the main board, usually buried under a metal shield.

Random photos:

I think I know why the routers overheated:

Argh. Only the 1.0 version has a MiniPCI card. The 1.1 and up are on the motherboard.

Sorry(tm).

Thanks but now that I see the size of the chip.....

Jimmie