XBEE3 MMT U.FL empty footprint on RF-PAD version usable (internally connected)?

XBee & XBee Gateway XBee - Zigbee
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Hi everyone

I’ve some custom PCB’s left over from past year and was hoping to reuse them in an upcoming project. I usually use the U.FL Xbee3 version (XB3-24Z8UM-J), so my PCB doesn’t include an connection on the RF-Pad. The project uses an aluminium enclosure, so it needs an external antenna.

I’ve noticed that the Xbee3-MMT with U.FL connector (XB3-24Z8UM-J) appears out of stock everywhere, due to the global chip shortage I guess. I’ve also noticed that the Xbee3-MMT with RF-pad (XB3-24DMRM-J) contains the same U.FL footprint without pre-soldered U.FL connector (and it’s currently in stock).

Would it be possible to manually solder an U.FL connector on the RF-pad versions empty footprint? Is the footprint internally connected?

Thanks in advance!

Best regards,
Tim

PS: I posted a similar question yesterday, but it appears to have disappeared. I’m sorry if I created duplicate posts.

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Sorry, both identical posts are suddenly available on the forum. Maybe best to answer on my original post, instead of this one.

The identical original post can be found at:
https://forums.digi.com/79678/manually-solder-ufl-connector-on-rf-pad-module-possible