EXHIBIT 5.1



                        WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                            Professional Corporation
                               650 Page Mill Road
                        Palo Alto, California 94304-1050
               Telephone: (650) 493-9300 Facsimile: (650) 493-6811



                                FEBRUARY 9, 2004



PCTEL, Inc.
8725 W. Higgins Road
Chicago, Illinois  60631

         RE:   REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by
you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about February 9, 2004
(the "Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of an aggregate of 1,050,000 shares of your
Common Stock (the "Shares") issuable under the PCTEL, Inc. 1997 Stock Option
Plan and 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (together, the "Plans"). As your
counsel in connection with this transaction, we have examined the proceedings
taken and are familiar with the proceedings proposed to be taken by you in
connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares pursuant to the Plans.

         It is our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner described in
the Plans and pursuant to the agreements which accompany each grant under the
Plans, the Shares will be legally and validly issued, fully-paid and
non-assessable.

         We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.


                                            Very truly yours,

                                            /s/ WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI

                                            WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                            Professional Corporation