# Homey Bridge Antenna modification **URL:** \ **Category:** Developers\ **Tags:** homey-bridge\ **Created:** [January 9, 2022, 11:56am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134 "2022-01-09T11:56:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Homeuse](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/homeuse/32/49474_2.png) [@Homeuse](https://community.homey.app/u/Homeuse)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2022, 11:56am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/1 "2022-01-09T11:56:24Z")
as @Undertaker already posted I’m going to mod the bridge, as i would like to use it as BLE Beacon recon. So BLE cold be little be better in coverage and as the app not jet available in the beta, I was thinking on going for the mod first: locating the screws ![20220109_112343](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/d/d/dd4524b555fff75c4ec1b14eae22da5ead82e041.jpeg) removing the sticker ![20220109_112355](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/0/2/02fb49528daf9eaf0a9d894bc81975a3228f2187.jpeg) there are 4 screws ![20220109_112532](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/d/e/de34ea66b9ef79089b647f9ee7f066d2999129a0.jpeg) the bridge open ![20220109_112957](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/7/4/74cae846475eb42c5a9b794acc9925409a112e01.jpeg) ![20220109_113011](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/f/8/f84bcf45d8cd8d5a40b6e4cebf21c0badf791259.jpeg) ![20220109_113053](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/3/b/3b98f06a67ad8b37dca7df47c27613f34c4d7bd7.jpeg) 6 IPEX sockets are prepared: Con1: 2.4GHz Wifi / BT Con2: 433MHz Con3: 914MHz Con4: 923MHz Con5: 868MHz Z-Wave Con6: 2.4GHz Zigbee material ordered… ---
**Author:** ![Henk\_Renting](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/henk_renting/32/87634_2.png) [@Henk\_Renting](https://community.homey.app/u/Henk_Renting)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2022, 2:46pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/2 "2022-01-09T14:46:03Z")
Very curious, love these hacks! So you’re gonna solder on some SMT antenna connectors? Are the solder points still available? Where will they go? ---
**Author:** ![robertklep](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robertklep/32/160628_2.png) [@robertklep](https://community.homey.app/u/robertklep)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2022, 2:54pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/3 "2022-01-09T14:54:21Z")
> [@Henk\_Renting](#): > > Are the solder points still available? Where will they go? The locations are marked “CON?” on the PCB: ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/6/3/638f5685e36509c920b23563ad8ef56cab4d4c00.png) ---
**Author:** ![Dijker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Dijker](https://community.homey.app/u/Dijker)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2022, 9:33pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/4 "2022-01-09T21:33:18Z")
Welcome to the Community @Homeuse Thanks for the info and pictures, I think it deserves an own topic, Although some information may be the same (Antenna info) both Products are so different I will split and rename both Topics. ---
**Author:** ![Undertaker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/undertaker/32/53278_2.png) [@Undertaker](https://community.homey.app/u/Undertaker)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2021, 1:52pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/5 "2021-09-13T13:52:21Z")
The new bridge will be an Eldorado for antenna mods. Why ? There are so-called IPEX sockets on the circuit board of the bridge. They seem to be available for every radio standard. When a plug is connected to this socket, it automatically disconnects the internal antenna and routes the signal to an external antenna socket. Much stronger antennas can then be connected to these sockets. The puck also seems to have enough space to install these antenna sockets in the pane. The whole thing can be done without soldering. ![Hc3757f7db863474e8acee325a4d8dee1S](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/3/d/3d3308d328c420af7c1df7d609df5096c6605a77.jpeg) IPEX socket ![20210913_153835](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/d/a/da27ebe99f2fe4a1ccc50d4dc2468c01a555e274.jpeg) Layout of the sockets on the circuit board. I am looking forward to the first reports as to how the range is in the original state. Otherwise I’ll probably slaughter a bridge and try the whole thing. ---
**Author:** ![DaneedeKruyff](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/daneedekruyff/32/964_2.png) [@DaneedeKruyff](https://community.homey.app/u/DaneedeKruyff)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2021, 2:12pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/6 "2021-09-13T14:12:18Z")
Hmmm, I’m betting that even when others share their experience you won’t be able to resist slaughtering one yourself 😜👍 ---
**Author:** ![Undertaker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/undertaker/32/53278_2.png) [@Undertaker](https://community.homey.app/u/Undertaker)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2021, 6:25am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/7 "2021-09-14T06:25:54Z")
![gif-nostalgia-Favim.com-1792071](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/b/4/b45f025914e014d3b399c57315e0c74b7f3761e9.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Emile](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/emile/32/115314_2.png) [@Emile](https://community.homey.app/u/Emile)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2021, 10:32am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/8 "2021-09-20T10:32:14Z")
FYI, the uFL connectors are not soldered on production bridges. These are only placed for CE/FCC testing. ---
**Author:** ![Undertaker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/undertaker/32/53278_2.png) [@Undertaker](https://community.homey.app/u/Undertaker)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2021, 12:38pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/9 "2021-09-20T12:38:19Z")
It’s a shame, then I’ll probably have to use the soldering iron. ---
**Author:** ![Undertaker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/undertaker/32/53278_2.png) [@Undertaker](https://community.homey.app/u/Undertaker)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2021, 7:08pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/10 "2021-09-20T19:08:18Z")
👍😜 ---
**Author:** ![Henk\_Renting](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/henk_renting/32/87634_2.png) [@Henk\_Renting](https://community.homey.app/u/Henk_Renting)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2022, 11:00pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/11 "2022-01-09T23:00:55Z")
Since there’s already some solder on it, that musn’t be too hard… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Henk\_Renting](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/henk_renting/32/87634_2.png) [@Henk\_Renting](https://community.homey.app/u/Henk_Renting)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 2:38pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/12 "2022-07-02T14:38:48Z")
Anyone “modified” their bridge yet? Soldered on some antenna’s? Very curious if my newly bought Bridge (intentionally just to play around with; curious nature here) could reach my mailbox from the basement. That basement is a little nearer to the mailbox, but the Bridge doesn’t reach it unfortunately. Still got a nice Z-wave antenna and amplifier lying around here… 🙂 Could integrate a sensor into my Homey Pro by http request if this works…. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Undertaker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/undertaker/32/53278_2.png) [@Undertaker](https://community.homey.app/u/Undertaker)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 3:17pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/13 "2022-07-02T15:17:36Z")
Yes, I had converted a bridge to an antenna mod with Zigbee and Zwave at the time. The range was much better. But since I didn’t like the concept of the bridge, I sold it again. I have not heard any complaints from the buyer that he has problems with the modification. ---
**Author:** ![Henk\_Renting](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/henk_renting/32/87634_2.png) [@Henk\_Renting](https://community.homey.app/u/Henk_Renting)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 3:23pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/14 "2022-07-02T15:23:20Z")
But you had the connectors already in place, hadn’t you? Or soldered it on too? I only use Shelly actuators and Aqara sensors in my basement, so I don’t even have to connect the Shelly’s by http. The bridge and the Pro can manage them both, since its’s done by wifi/http, which is one network for both Pro and Bridge. The Bridge might even be a better solution than I thought beforehand! ---
**Author:** ![Undertaker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/undertaker/32/53278_2.png) [@Undertaker](https://community.homey.app/u/Undertaker)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 3:28pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/15 "2022-07-02T15:28:02Z")
I had to solder in the pigtails. To do this, I cut the original antenna lines as I did with the Pro and soldered the centre conductor to the antenna track. The antenna shield was connected to a ground point on the circuit board. Unfortunately, I didn’t take any photos at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Henk\_Renting](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/henk_renting/32/87634_2.png) [@Henk\_Renting](https://community.homey.app/u/Henk_Renting)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 4:07pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/16 "2022-07-02T16:07:22Z")
> [@Undertaker](#): > > When a plug is connected to this socket, it automatically disconnects the internal antenna and routes the signal to an external antenna socket. What changed your mind? Really a need to cut the original antenna track? ---
**Author:** ![Undertaker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/undertaker/32/53278_2.png) [@Undertaker](https://community.homey.app/u/Undertaker)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 5:21pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/17 "2022-07-02T17:21:43Z")
The bridge intended for the market does not have IPEX sockets. Open your bridge and check. These sockets were originally only present in Athom’s test devices to read out various information. You have no other option than to manually disconnect the built-in antennas. ---
**Author:** ![Henk\_Renting](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/henk_renting/32/87634_2.png) [@Henk\_Renting](https://community.homey.app/u/Henk_Renting)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 5:35pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/18 "2022-07-02T17:35:30Z")
I know, some soldering is no problem at all. But you wrote that the original built-in antenna’s were automatically disconnected as soon as you connect other antenna’s to the sockets… Why still the need to cut the original antenna tracks then? > [@Undertaker](#): > > When a plug is connected to this socket, it automatically disconnects the internal antenna and routes the signal to an external antenna socket. ---
**Author:** ![Dijker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Dijker](https://community.homey.app/u/Dijker)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 5:39pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/19 "2022-07-02T17:39:10Z")
> [@Henk\_Renting](#): > > Why still the need to cut the original antenna tracks then? If i remember correctly Athom mentioned on slack the connectors are only soldered on the examples sent to testing labs like in the pictures on FccID. So you have to solder yourself ---
**Author:** ![Henk\_Renting](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/henk_renting/32/87634_2.png) [@Henk\_Renting](https://community.homey.app/u/Henk_Renting)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 6:08pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134/20 "2022-07-02T18:08:25Z")
Yes, like @Undertaker said… 🙂 Soldering is no problem. But why cut the original tracks when the original antenna’s are disconnected automatically when you connect an external antenna to the connector? [Next page](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-bridge-antenna-modification/58134.md?page=2)