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Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Boosting Wireless Coverage - Help
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iainw
75 posts

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  #154605 6-Aug-2008 11:31
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A few points to consider -
 - "forget those longer so called high gain antenna's they mostly dont work that well" What you are creating is exactly that - a high gain antenna.  Antenna's do exactly what they are designed to do.  The problem is typically installers who do not understand how RF technology works, and expect to be able to tow the QEII using a rubber dinghy and oars...

 - DIY antennas are only cheap, if your time is worthless.

 - Home made antenna's are actually illegal in many jurisdictions (ever wondered why so many AP's have different connectors, it is a hangover from even tougher regulations where only antennas designed SPECIFICALLY for a given AP were legal.)

 - This parabolic template creates a fairly directional antenna (25 Elevation, 35 Azimuth), if you then point this at your friends flat, you will definately impair performance for the rest of the household.



rphenix
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  #154629 6-Aug-2008 13:24
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iainw:

A few points to consider -
 - "forget those longer so called high gain antenna's they mostly dont work that well" What you are creating is exactly that - a high gain antenna.  Antenna's do exactly what they are designed to do.  The problem is typically installers who do not understand how RF technology works, and expect to be able to tow the QEII using a rubber dinghy and oars...

 - DIY antennas are only cheap, if your time is worthless.

 - Home made antenna's are actually illegal in many jurisdictions (ever wondered why so many AP's have different connectors, it is a hangover from even tougher regulations where only antennas designed SPECIFICALLY for a given AP were legal.)

 - This parabolic template creates a fairly directional antenna (25 Elevation, 35 Azimuth), if you then point this at your friends flat, you will definately impair performance for the rest of the household.



I realise what I was recommending was a directional high gain antenna.  Yes it will reduce signal strength where its not pointed but that might not matter and for the price its not a big deal if you have to throw the antenna away.

As for legality of the antenna I dont imagine FCC knocking on anybodys door when used with a normal AP.

Personally I look at a home brew antenna as a good option to see if perhaps buying a second AP as a wireless bridge or repeater will help at all as in some situations your just not going to get a stable signal with 802.11g and need to look at other technology.

As for time versus price the Antenna isnt compex like some yaggi or cantenna designs, it takes maximum of 10 minutes to make and fit so unless you earn $240+ per hour your still winning.

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