TMobile G5AR Gateway External Antenna Breakout Box

After going through the surgery of opening my G5AR and attaching the tiny IPX connectors to provide external antenna access, I was a little worried about a mishap where an antenna cable got pulled with sufficient force to disconnect them on the inside, so designed this breakout box to provide strain relief and a cleaner install.

Print the breakout box body facing down to reduce print time and material. I’d recommend PETG filament which will provide resilience and prohibit any cracking when you tighten-down the eight SMA connectors during your install. If you’re printing the full sized box, you don’t need to enable supports, but depending on your printer, will have some minor stringing in recessed 2x4 inch area where I recommend you print a label with the gateway’s default admin credentials. Of note, if you do enable supports like I did, it was a significant PITA to chip away the PETG support in the recessed 2x4 inch label area. If you’re not planning to print that label for the gateway default admin credentials, consider the mini version instead. Print both enabling “strength” slicer settings for thicker walls and more infill. If you’re running another slicer that doesn’t have a “strength” preset, consider walls at 5 layers and 30% infill. These settings will be key to provide strength where the 8mm hex nut on the back of the SMA connector meets the box, so that when you’re later tightening-down the nut over the SMA connector, there’s sufficient material and strength to keep it from breaking and spinning inside.

Designed for use with TUOLNK SMA Female to IPX U.FL RG178 Coaxial Cable, 12 inch (30cm) here on Amazon. Make sure to buy the 12 inch versions. With eight antenna ports, you'll need two bags (five per bag). https://a.co/d/ex0H8Lz

Designed for 3M Command large size adhesive strips: https://a.co/d/4gnBbQZ

Inset fox a 2x4" adhesive label. Someday you may need to hard reset the gateway and having the default Wifi and admin password would be handy. Take a picture of your G5AR product label and print to any 2x4" label and apply: https://a.co/d/3KW6OSH

Assembly notes: Follow JabberTech's instructions on how to mod the G5AR for external antennas here: 

Ok, the hard part is over. Once done with the install for the antenna lead cables, follow these simple steps to install the breakout box.

1. Apply two 3M Command strips, one to each side of the box. Make sure to follow the 3M Command strip instructions and wipe down the back of the G5AR with rubbing alcohol where the strips will contact for best adhesion and strength.

1. With your antenna lead cables labeled 0-7, make sure to remove the nut, lock washer and retaining washer that are screwed atop the SMA connector. Insert each SMA connecter through the back of the corresponding number on the front and then reinstall the washers and nut in correct order, with the teeth of the retaining washer going on first to seat into the plastic, then the lock washer and finally the 8mm nut. Use an 8mm socket attached to a screwdriver to tighten with medium force until snug. DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN, especially if you’re using a ratchet wrench and not a screwdriver, or you may crack the box

1. Once you have each SMA connector installed into its corresponding port and snugged-down, you’re ready to attach the box to the back. Gather the eight cables and gently direct through the notch on the top of the breakout box. Consider using a small zip tie inside the box to keep the cables together to make this easier. Remove the waxy protective covers on the 3M strips and carefully apply to the back panel of the G5AR lining-up with the top and sides. Once positioned correctly, push down with medium force for 30 seconds to best seat the adhesive strips. Allow an hour for the adhesive to cure before applying any force to the box. 

Enjoy a clean install and rest easy knowing that if one day your gateway falls over you won’t rip out an IPX connector on the inside and have to take this bastard apart AGAIN : )