Number of Antennas on a Dell Inspiron 1545?

The informaiton I have shows the wireless options are the Dell Wireless 1397 802.11b/g half-height Mini-Card, Dell Wireless 1515n 802.11n half-height Mini-Card and Intel Wireless 5100n a/b/g/n half-height Mini-Card.  According to the documentation the system may have all three antenna wires used by some Draft-N wireless cards, however, the pictures all show only two (although the cards in those pictures only have two connections).  It may be that the number of included antennae are related to the wireless card purchased with the system, with a minimum of two.

If you upgraded the wireless to the Intel 5300 it should work with only two antennae, though probably not at full possible connection speed.  Adding a third antenna wire should also be possible as they can be replaced if needed.

Thanks for the reply.  I have inspected the system as best as possible without major disassembly and can only find the two antenna leads.  The fact that they don't offer the 5300 as an option makes me believe it only has two.  I kept running across documentation that said it should have 3, but I think that is an error.

I've heard some complain about the 5100 and them recommending the 5300.  I'm using the 5300 with 3 antennas in another laptop with no problems.  So I guess I'd rather go with the 5300 as long as it works fine with just 2 antennas.

So maybe, I'll just order a 5300 half-height card and see how well it works.

Thanks again,

Klips

Update...

I have installed a Intel WiFi 5300 Half-Height card in to the Inspiron 15 (aka 1545).  I haven't checked it out on any N networks, but the G connectino seems rock solid and connects very quickly.  When I have a chance to check an N connection, I'll update.

I looked high and low.  There is only (2) antennas in this machine.  If anyone has a how-to on adding a third antenna or can verify that Dell has parts for installing a 3rd antenna, I would be greatly interested.

BR,

Klips

Hi,

I have a Studio 1737, it came with a half card wifi 5100. On hand, I have an Intel WiFi Link 5300, this has three terminals mark TR1, TR3, TR2 in that order, the 1737 has three wires colored white, gray and black, which color wire goes to which terminals.

Other than color, the antennae are all the same.

I have read all on this page but one question has not been answered that I need.  For an Inspiron 1545 where exactly are the antenna's positioned at?  The answer I received before when I asked was vague at best. 

You need a DW1510 wireless adapter or DW1515. I have the DW1515. It is a/b/g/n compatible. I have a Dell Inspiron 1545. Works fine, no issue. Both are Dell recommended also. These are the only cards I have found to be compatible to the 1545.