Wi-Fi Antenna

[tacvbo83]

Is there such antenna that can increase the range of a wireless network? Something like a USB plug-and-play type deal. Anything?

*something that can be plugged into the laptop itself to get a longer range.

[NosferaDrew]

A Hawking Antenna (http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/productlist.php?CatID=35&FamID=111&ProdID=371) may be what you're looking for:
http://www.electronicsoutfitter.com/images/items/644/298644-hai8dd.jpg

[tacvbo83]

A Hawking Antenna (http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/productlist.php?CatID=35&FamID=111&ProdID=371) may be what you're looking for:
http://www.electronicsoutfitter.com/images/items/644/298644-hai8dd.jpg



Thanks for the info. This is a good starting point to start researching the product I need. At first I was looking for the antenna for a friend but now I might be getting one myself if they prove to come out good. Anybody using something like these antennas?

[autodata]

If the problem is wireless range there are a couple different ways to approach the problem depending on your situation. So...what is the situation? Are you trying to boost range for your home wireless network? If so, what router do you have? You might be able to just boost the signal. Trying to connect to someone else's and can't get a good signal? Maybe an ExpressCard adapter.

[Eugene]

Range is an issue I've encountered in my situation and I think a single directional antenna like that Hawking parabolic wouldn't be any good for the MIMO based 802.11n products.

I'm currently looking for an N based alternative to my WRT54GL (running as a client bridge), but so far that remains the range king with its default antennae + DD-WRT and bumping the radio power from 28mW to 100mW (or even 251mW in my case)

If you're looking for an 802.11g range extender and don't mind it being stationary, I think a WRT54GL in client-bridge mode plugged into your laptop's ethernet is going to be a pretty safe choice.

[tacvbo83]

If the problem is wireless range there are a couple different ways to approach the problem depending on your situation. So...what is the situation? Are you trying to boost range for your home wireless network? If so, what router do you have? You might be able to just boost the signal. Trying to connect to someone else's and can't get a good signal? Maybe an ExpressCard adapter.


I don't want a more powerful router or an antenna for it. I want something like an antenna for a laptop to pick up signals that are sort of far away.

[NosferaDrew]

The Linksys WRT54GL is a great device.
Another one you might want to look at, tacvbo83, is the WTR54GS Travel Router (http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1122062241008&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=4100839789B11):
http://homepage.mac.com/drew1/.Pictures/WTR54GS.jpg

I take this when I travel and it will extend the range of an existing network or you can take a wired network, plug it into the WTR54GS and create a wireless network.
It works great.


Nevermind. I must've been uping my pic when you were posting.
There are other antennas for your laptop besides the Hawking, but I've seen the Hawking work beautifully on a PC, FWIW.

[Eugene]

I don't want a more powerful router or an antenna for it. I want something like an antenna for a laptop to pick up signals that are sort of far away.
Well there's nothing on the market that can make a radio suddenly connect via USB to an antenna. WiFi on laptops usually sits on a mini-PCIe adapter with a tiny coaxial connector. I guess you could route a cable through the CardBus or ExpressCard slot and then affix a small omni or patch antenna to the back of your screen, but that's such an ugly solution.

[turtle]

The Linksys WRT54GL is a great device.
Another one you might want to look at, tacvbo83, is the WTR54GS Travel Router (http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1122062241008&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=4100839789B11):
http://homepage.mac.com/drew1/.Pictures/WTR54GS.jpg

I take this when I travel and it will extend the range of an existing network or you can take a wired network, plug it into the WTR54GS and create a wireless network.
It works great.
...

I really like this one. Where did you pick yours up? I haven't seen one locally so I'm guessing I'll have to get it through the web. Also, did you need to get another antenna or is the stock one good enough for most of your work?

[NosferaDrew]

I really like this one. Where did you pick yours up? I haven't seen one locally so I'm guessing I'll have to get it through the web. Also, did you need to get another antenna or is the stock one good enough for most of your work?

$50 on Amazon.
I got this unit mainly because my Mom out in Sandbridge doesn't want or need internet. The WTR54GS allows me to take a friendly neighbor's wifi and amplify/broadcast the signal throughout my Mom's house. It works perfectly.
I also use it at work when I'm not traveling.

No additional antenna is necessary. It plugs into the wall and you set it up using the supplied CD and your internet browser. Very easy.

[turtle]

$50 on Amazon.
I got this unit mainly because my Mom out in Sandbridge doesn't want or need internet. The WTR54GS allows me to take a friendly neighbor's wifi and amplify/broadcast the signal throughout my Mom's house. It works perfectly.
I also use it at work when I'm not traveling.

No additional antenna is necessary. It plugs into the wall and you set it up using the supplied CD and your internet browser. Very easy.

Does it key into a certain router or act more like an open repeater? I'm thinking of all the times I say in a hotel with now WiFi but I can barely pick up a signal from the one next to me. Or to plug into the hotels wired network and make it wireless. I VPN into my home so I don't need encryption for any thing like this.

Plus, something like this would save me from drawing attention to my cell data plan that doesn't allow tethering even though I do it.