aspects of the inventions generally provide a method and apparatus for coupling a communication sub to a wired drill pipe . in one aspect , a surface of a coupler head is non threaded and configured to provide a retaining force . in another aspect , a coupler head is coupled to a body , and a support mechanism is coupled to the body and configured to secure the coupler head within a receiving end of the wired drill pipe . in another aspect , a method of placing a communication sub involves inserting the communication sub into the receiving end of the wired drill pipe , adjusting the position of the communication sub until an indication of signal communication between the communication sub and the wired drill pipe is observed , and after the indication of signal communication is observed , retaining the communication sub within the receiving end until removal of the communication sub is desired .