asked on 3/1/2007

Wireless Network Antenna

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

Networking Hardware-Other Wireless Networking Windows OS

Last Comment

jasonr0025

3/12/2007

zceororlo

3/1/2007

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.

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jekl2000

3/2/2007

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ViRoy

3/4/2007

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beatboxradio

3/8/2007

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jasonr0025

3/11/2007

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

ViRoy

3/12/2007

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).

jasonr0025

3/12/2007

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