Birger / Impero replacement Antenna

[Bob Gruen]

Birger / Impero users,

A while back I lost a lot of range on my Birger / Impero combo. When I went over the system I found that the plastic cap over the antenna on the Birger mount was little deformed. I popped it off several pieces of the actual Bluetooth antenna came tumbling out. A quick call to Erik informed me that a large antenna from a 2.4 GHz router could be used in a pinch and that replacement antennas could be found at Digikey.

I would assume that the larger router antenna would increase the range (if you ever had the need). The Digikey page for the antenna can be found by searching for ANT-2.4-CW-RH. They cost $5 US, so I picked up a few spares.

I absolutely LOVE the Birger solution as it enables the use of high quality affordable prime lenses. All you guys running zoom lenses on a Red One are really missing out.

Bob

 

[Alexander Christ]

Bob, thanks for posting!

 

[Joel Kaye]

Yeah, I ebay'd some antennas and now use those. They are much bigger but they seem to have solved the range issues. I can have a focus puller in another room if needed. Impero does transmit through walls (as it should).

 

[Scott Miller]

Excellent pointers, thank you! I have been nervous with the antenna, especially on the mount, as I like to keep the camera rigged in the Pelican for faster setups, and the antenna seems to be a bit scary.

What did you search on EBay to find the replacements? 2.4GHz antenna?

 

[Joel Kaye]

What did you search on EBay to find the replacements? 2.4GHz antenna?

That'll work. I bought 2 of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Extended-Range-...wItemQQptZCOMP_EN_Routers?hash=item4ce767d8cd

Seems big but they fold. I just fold it forward or sideways. You may want to search for a 4" one that folds for the Birger. I wanted enough DB Gain to test the theory that the antennas were the issue with range. Seems to be so.... but I still operate wired a lot.

 

[Brian Timmons]

That'll work. I bought 2 of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Extended-Range-...wItemQQptZCOMP_EN_Routers?hash=item4ce767d8cd

Seems big but they fold. I just fold it forward or sideways. You may want to search for a 4" one that folds for the Birger. I wanted enough DB Gain to test the theory that the antennas were the issue with range. Seems to be so.... but I still operate wired a lot.

I just bought a few of those antennas from the same vendor and must say they make the Birger and Impero combo much more solid. I feel a lot more confident using the Impero wirelessly. You can truly receive a good signal through walls deep into another room. I'm sure outdoor use will allow operation at a considerable distance. Very good find.