Topic: WiFi??? Camera

[davidmc36]

Gutting cheap mass produced electronics is a never ending source of entertainment.

We just recently put one of our pups to rest and I wanted a couple more cameras to have a look at how the older dog will act when we both leave the house.

Enter the $19.95 Amazon specials. I picked these because they work with the crappy little app I already have running with three other cameras.

First one picks right up and blasts out a fine image.

Second on the USB connector pops right off the PCB first go....barely touched it. Out comes the screwdriver with intent to warm up some soldering equipment. Now comes the funny part.......

In the first pic you see what appears to be a fancy three antenna camera. Hmmmm.
In the second photo, it appears at a quick glance what may be antenna leads through the flex joint. Hmmmm.

The final photo reveals the real truth. 

Must be a small patch antenna up in the top where the actual camera is.

Funny stuff right there.

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[Garth Bock]

There should be a label on the outside that says " To prevent shock.. Do Not Open". Then a label on the inside saying.. "See.. We told you'd be shocked !" 😄

[vreihen]

I must be missing the joke.  At multi-gigahertz frequencies, a 1/2 wavelength dipole antenna is only a few inches long.  The wire *is* the antenna, placed into a protective housing to discourage someone from trying to hook it to a clothes hanger to extend the range.....

[davidmc36]

You don't see how they are connected to nothing?

Not even coax, just a little piece if plain wire with a knot to keep it from falling down.

[davidmc36]

So yeah. Got the connector soldered back on and spied the little PCB antenna in the upper housing.

Good stuff.there.

[vreihen]

You don't see how they are connected to nothing?

Not even coax, just a little piece if plain wire with a knot to keep it from falling down.

Was the wire connected to a PCB?  At gigahertz frequencies, all that you need is a short wire for a 1/2 wave antenna.....

[davidmc36]

...
Was the wire connected to a PCB?....

Ummmm, no.

That's the whole point.

The photo is how I found it.