MLAstro SAL-33 Wireless Expansion Kit

External antenna upgrade for stronger Wi-Fi and Bluetooth reception

The MLAstro SAL-33 Wireless Expansion Kit is a small but important upgrade for earlier SAL-33 mounts. It moves the wireless antenna from inside the mount body to an external antenna position, significantly improving both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth reception.

This kit is especially relevant now that the MLAstro Hub app is becoming a more central part of the SAL-33 user experience.

Why this kit exists

The original MLAstro SAL-33 was intentionally designed with limited wireless range.

At the time, wireless access was meant mainly for configuration. You would connect to the mount only when standing right next to it, change the required settings, then continue using your normal control workflow. It was not designed to be a long-range wireless control system. The mount supposed to be controlled solely via the USB cable and/or the wired HC.

Because of that design goal, the antenna was placed internally. This kept the mount clean, compact, and protected, but it also meant the antenna sat inside the SAL-33’s all-aluminum body.

That all-aluminum construction is one of the things that gives the SAL-33 its rigidity and durability, but it also acts like a Faraday cage. The metal body naturally blocks wireless signal, so Wi-Fi and Bluetooth reception were limited by design.

With the latest MLAstro Hub app, our approach has shifted. Wireless access is no longer just a short-range configuration convenience. We now want SAL-33 users to have stronger and more reliable wireless reception for the newer MLAstro Hub workflow.

That is why we made the SAL-33 Wireless Expansion Kit.

What the kit does

The Wireless Expansion Kit brings the antenna outside the mount body.

This simple change makes a major difference to signal reception because the antenna is no longer hidden behind the aluminum structure of the mount.

The result is stronger Wi-Fi and Bluetooth performance, especially when using the latest MLAstro Hub app.

Who needs this kit

This kit is intended for SAL-33 units from Batch 5 and older.

All MLAstro SAL-33 mounts from Batch 6 onward are shipped with the wireless expansion kit installed by default. If your SAL-33 is from Batch 6 or newer, you do not need to order this kit separately.

Free for existing SAL-33 customers

The MLAstro SAL-33 Wireless Expansion Kit is available free of charge for all existing SAL-33 customers with eligible units.

Each SAL-33 customer is eligible for one wireless expansion kit.

To claim the kit, please place your order using the exact same email address that you used for your original SAL-33 order. This allows us to verify eligibility and process the order correctly.

You only need to pay the postage fee. The shipping cost is typically around $30 to $40, depending on your location. It’ll take a while for us to full fill all existing orders, but we’ll get to everyone eventually.

Important installation warning

Please follow the installation instructions carefully.

The antenna connectors are very small and fragile. If the connector is misaligned or pushed in the wrong way, it can damage the antenna port.

Do not force the connector. Take your time, check the alignment carefully, and make sure the connector is seated correctly before applying pressure.

Damage caused by incorrect installation may not be repairable without replacing internal components, so please handle this step with care.

Compatibility

Compatible with:

• MLAstro SAL-33 Batch 5 and older

Not required for:

• MLAstro SAL-33 Batch 6 and newer, because the expansion kit is already installed by default

Package contents

• SAL-33 side panel with all buttons and cables included.
• External antenna
• Required internal antenna cable

Ordering notes

Please use the same email address as your original SAL-33 order when placing the order.

Orders placed with a different email address may be delayed while we verify eligibility manually.

Each eligible SAL-33 customer may claim one kit.

Summary

The SAL-33 Wireless Expansion Kit upgrades earlier SAL-33 mounts from an internal antenna setup to an external antenna setup.

The original internal antenna design was intentional because wireless access was originally meant only for short-range configuration. With the latest MLAstro Hub app, stronger wireless reception is now more useful, so this kit brings earlier SAL-33 units in line with the updated direction.

For Batch 5 and older SAL-33 owners, the kit is free. You only pay postage.

For Batch 6 and newer SAL-33 owners, no action is needed. Your mount already includes the upgrade.