If the usb adapter can be replaced with a different unit, the options are myriad. I assume it cannot be replaced with just any other unit, or maybe ANY other unit, because it's coded for that specific unit or a small amount of them (to avoid production issues if one specific unit became constrained) . I don't have first hand knowledge either way, though. I do know it's only 2.4ghz and not 5...at my place I have distributed wifi that forces/favors 5ghz and sterns wifi and my dishwasher both aren't happy about the 2.4 being "turned down" so to speak, they are all that's left that is 2.4 only.

Meaning just any usb wifi adapter will work? I don't see how that's possible, not even a little...but I'm interested to hear more about this and what options there are as my signal sucks as well for 2.4 in that location.

I will pull mine out that came with it built in and see what it is, if it's the same thing, or at the least the same chipset, then that's the limitation until they update to allow others I assume. I have no real knowledge of how their OS works, even what it's based on or if it's full custom, I have looked exatly 0% into it at all, so there may be a whole host of adapters that work, but I still doubt that just any work, I have about 15 different brands/models here I ccould just start plugging them in to see which ones it does have the drivers installed for lolol

This is what came in mine with it built in.

PXL_20230528_163909335 (resized).jpg

So, presumably the same thing. If you could find one of those units that had the exact same chipset but an external antenna that might work.

Alternately a usb extension cable to get the actual adapter out of the back box would help, there is a hole on top for the topper already there, or various other ways to fish a cable out I'm sure. That could help.

That startech is a Realtek 8188cu chip. Old school.

Without more info, the best I can guess is that if you found a usb adapter with an external antenna that had an 8188cu Realtek chipset it might work, using an extension cable to get the stock adapter outside the back box would certainly help, and getting a supported adapters list from Stern would be fairly handy lol.

Useful info here:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/stern-insider-connected/page/93#post-7397839

TP link one I use that works fine.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008IFXQFU

Awesome. Thanks for that. I think this has been discussed and answered some time ago, as usual lol. I tried.

And the extension has been discussed previously on the next page of that same thread.