Question

Wireless Network Antenna

Asked by: ChrisH3

Hello,

I'm looking to get a better antenna for my current wireless network. Right now, I'm running an 802.11x network. The current signal strength in Windows is approximately 1-2 bars. Does anyone have any good recommendations for a better antenna? I just want something to plug into the back of the existing Wireless Card... nothing too complicated.

Thanks

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Asked On
2007-03-01 at 15:34:19ID22422917
Tags

antenna

,

wireless

Topics

Networking Hardware

,

Wireless Technologies

,

Microsoft Windows Operating Systems

Participating Experts
5
Points
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Comments
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Answers

 

by: zceororloPosted on 2007-03-01 at 15:49:42ID: 18637091

They have a bunch here. If possible, I would change the antennas on the router itself, not the desktop card. I know this is possible on most Linksys routers.

 

by: jekl2000Posted on 2007-03-02 at 05:38:57ID: 18640054

Here are some nice antennas with various card type plugs:
http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/antennas_2400_in.php

Such as this one:
http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/re05u.php

Or this one can be velcrod to your laptop cover:
 http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/re05u.php

Plus they have several rubber duck antennas if you want to upgrade your access point too:
http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/rubber_duck_antenna.php

 

by: ViRoyPosted on 2007-03-04 at 11:58:25ID: 18650979


oh yes you can!
I use wireless quite extensively and use whats called a "+15db vertical collinear antenna" (also known as omni-directional)... basically it just looks like a 5 foot tall pole and radiates in 360 degrees is all. but it triples my range!

There are alot of kinds of antennas that you can use but i bet you want just a general one thats not too big and extends your range quite a bit. what your looking for is between a +5db and +9db gain antenna... that will double your range.

I have purchased nearly all my wireless antennas and cables from this company:
http://www.fab-corp.com/home.php?cat=250
That link will take you directly to the antennas you can use... the super high gain ones are at the top, the small +5db and +9db ones at the bottom. They will work with any connection you have because when you place your order, just tell them what connector you need on it and they will do it for you.

I would reccomend the +9db rubber duck antenna... thats a little more than doubling your range and only costs $17
I highly recommend them from personal experience as they have very good quality work and great communication.

 

by: beatboxradioPosted on 2007-03-08 at 08:42:05ID: 18680271

Take a look with a small D-Link antenna 7dbi. They do a really good job and is not to $$$ (40$ USD) I try it and it's really good :)

 

by: jasonr0025Posted on 2007-03-10 at 23:18:01ID: 18696533

Keep in mind that wireless is a two way street.  The signal strenth you router recieves from your laptop is important as signal from router to the laptop.  Basically for maximum performance, if you upgrade one, I would upgrade the other.  
HTH
Jason

 

by: ViRoyPosted on 2007-03-11 at 17:00:58ID: 18698889


Jasonr:
Im sorry but i dont think you really understand what your talking about.
You need good reception for both transmitiing and receiving yes.... but 802.11 over IP is by default full-duplex... which means as long 1 device reaches... then it will work for both transmit and recieve.

every time you increase a 2.4ghz signal by +6db, you double the effective distance for both send and recieve. Putting a +9db on the router AND on the laptop would give +18db. This is major overkill for a home network (unless your home is 100k square feet LOL).

 

by: jasonr0025Posted on 2007-03-11 at 21:06:53ID: 18699524

Thanks for the advice ViRoy.  I too understand the concept, but I didn't reccommend adding a stronger antennae- just a better one.  I have found Mimo too be a nice upgrade that will get full signal where singles wouldn't- doesn't require a db increase, but I admit I should have been a little more precise.
Thanks
Jason

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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