Question

Help finding a Simultaneous Dual Band Router with external antennas

Asked by: clarityclark

Hey guys, I'm having trouble finding the right product.

Here's the short list:

WiFi Router
- True (Simultaneous) Dual Band 802.11g/n
- External, removable antennas
- Under $200

Long version: I need a WiFi router that supports TRUE dual band (i.e. the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz can run simultaneously, not one or the other). Ok, great there's several out there (like the Linksys WRT400N or the 610N). Here's the catch, I ALSO need to have the capability of hooking up an external antenna (a beefier one or something like a YAGI) in case the stock range doesn't cut it. Linksys, in their "let's make it pretty" wisdom, have made all antennas on the new models internal only.

I'm looking at the D-Link DIR-825 which has removable antennas but I hear bad things about the stock range (I need to go about 260ft, almost all outdoors with good line if sight). Ideally I'd like it to work with stock antennas and I've been reading claims of 250 - 300ft but those claims are hard to nail down.

Recommendations?

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Asked On
2009-09-17 at 09:31:20ID24740504
Tags

dual band

,

wireless

,

router

,

802.11n

,

antenna

,

WiFi

Topics

Wireless Networking

,

Network Routers

,

Miscellaneous Networking

Participating Experts
1
Points
250
Comments
4

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Answers

 

by: Darr247Posted on 2009-09-18 at 10:38:22ID: 25368139

You could buy 2 of the D-Link DIR-628's and run one on 2.4GHz and the other on 5GHz...
2 x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127254 = $140 + free ship

I can't say I've seen many simultaneous dual-band 11a/g/n + removable antennae for under $200... DLink also has the DGL-4500, though - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127243

Almost all the DLinks with removable antennae use RP-SMA connectors, for what it's worth.
(Their commercial grade and outdoor models mostly use RP-N, which are harder-to-locate connectors.)

I have seen people retrofit RP-TNC jacks off older Linksys models onto their newer internal antenna units. Personally, I have the solder skills and a dremel, but still wouldn't do that to a brand new router.

 

by: clarityclarkPosted on 2009-09-20 at 01:59:31ID: 25376366

I ended up buying 3 x D-Link DIR-825s which are simultaneous dual band. They run for $120 each so a little more cost effective than getting 6 DIR-628s (but not by much). Going single band and doubling up is a good idea if the 825s don't work out though, thanks for the suggestion.

The DGL-4500 doesn't do simultaneous dual band and is $30 more (probably to pay for the word "Gamer" on the box, heh)

Good point re: retrofitting the Linksys. My network tech could probably pull that off (he's also a wiz with soldering) but you're right, a shame to kill the warranty.

You mentioned the D-lInks use RP-SMA connectors. Do you have any tips on external antennas? i.e. a good online store and what I should look for?

Thanks for your reply! I'll award you the points regardless but I'll wait and see if you have any thoughts on antennas before closing.

 

by: Darr247Posted on 2009-09-20 at 02:49:10ID: 25376473

Hah. I didn't notice that in the specs - it DOES say 2.4 *or* 5GHz... I swear I saw a review on newegg that said it was simultaneous. Now I don't see it there, of course.

For antennae, L-Com is pretty good. http://www.l-com.com/productcenter.aspx?id=2005
L-Com bought HyperLink about a year ago... they also have paper catalogs.

Most places have RP-SMA to N-Male pigtails to adapt to the industry standard N-Female connectors that come on nearly all antennae...
e.g. http://www.l-com.com/productfamily.aspx?id=6489  (LLC-200)
http://www.l-com.com/productfamily.aspx?id=6504   (LLC-400)

WiFi-Link has a good selection, too. http://www.wifi-link.com/index_ad_at_01.php

I would not buy an antenna from a shop that doesn't show the gain patterns (horizontal and vertical).
L-Com and WiFi-Link have gain charts for all the antennae I've looked at on both sites.

 

by: clarityclarkPosted on 2009-09-20 at 10:45:25ID: 31630135

Great answers!

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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