Chosen Solution

My daughter broke the antenna off of our Infant Optics 8 monitor. Is there a way to replace/fix that?

Hi misstif03 Based on the specs, it is running on a private 2.4Ghz frequency. https://www.verywellfamily.com/infant-op… There is a way, but you need proper soldering tools. You can try this and this

WiFi RP-SMA Antenna and connector. I suggest to buy in set, to avoid mis match, look around on online, price should be reasonable. In Summary, Open up the device as ifixit follows, and remove till step 3 Infant Optics DXR-8 Back Cover Prerequisite https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/ig… Desolder the antenna from the mainboard. Remove the broken antenna parts from the casing. Fit in the new SMA connector, you might need to drill or work into it. and solder the pigtail end to the mainboard. End product should be like this as an example.

And you connect the sma antenna to it.

The trick to making this work is to connect both the inner core of the wire and the shielding (outer conductive layer) to the respective spots on the board. Usually the shield is grounded and the inner core is the connection to the antennae. If you buy the amazon linked antennae above it is easiest if you remove the small snap-on type connector. If you pry up the two edges it pulls right off leaving you with a tiny wire in the middle and the shielding exposed. They are separated by an inner jacket. It was the perfect length for me to use the existing solder to attach it. Here are some pictures to hopefully help. Thank you to all who previously posted, saved me a bunch of money. #1: snap-on type connector with two edges pried up.

#2: soldered to the board. Be mindful that you need two separate connection points. If solder bridges between the two or you only connect the inner core your range will be severly impacted like the above person said.

#3: zoomed out showing connection and wire placement.

#4: The SMA connector is too long to use the existing hole (couldn’t close the case), so I used Sugru to hold it a little further outside of the case.

#5: with the antennae connected. It does stick out the back a bit and can’t lay flat, but I use it with the kickstand most of the time so no big deal.

Appreciate the prior tips - very useful. To deal with the long SMA connector, I drilled a hole in the front of the case to make room for it. Works like a charm.

Hey @salmonjapan @jsprachyl , could you send a pic of the mainboard after changing the antenna? I noticed that the antenna brown cable is connected to two parts on the main board

thanks in advance!

Stripped the wire and then soldered it to the little bit of wire left in the antenna, but range got worse. Then soldered it directly to the board and the signal almost doesn’t work now unless your fairly close. Doesnt make sense that it wouldn’t work since it is clearly connected to where it needs to be, but maybe these dual band antenna aren’t compatible. Buying a new monitor with ticked tail :-)