Replacement antenna for wireless router?

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Replacement antenna for wireless router?

MooPoo

251 posts

Ultimate Geek

#64547 17-Jul-2010 17:51

Hi

I have a Billion 7404VGP-M Wireless router but the signal from one end of the house to the other isnt great, so I figure a bigger and better antenna on the router might do the trick.

I see a few of them on Trademe but am wondering if there are any specific ones people can recommend from personal use?

A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any invention in human history - with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila.

--------------------------------------------

Earthquakes. Shift Happens.

richms

29098 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10207

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#352766 17-Jul-2010 18:21

I have tried some of them and found that it really didn't make much difference at all to the actual working of the network at distance, despite it looking like more signal.

Much cheaper off deal extreme or ebay than off trademe too.

Richard rich.ms

bvidulich

58 posts

Master Geek

#352780 17-Jul-2010 19:05

I would recommend the range at http://www.gowifi.co.nz, but the specific ones that I purchased were really large, which may not be suitable for you. Make sure you choose an antenna with the right connector for your router.

Having a bigger antenna probably will not provide a significant increase in signal strength as obstacles will still degrade the signal regardless of antenna size. I suggest that before you purchase a new antenna, you try moving the router so that the signal avoids metallic surfaces (e.g. hot water cylinders), damp brick walls, tinted windows, and see if this helps in any way.

raytaylor

4076 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1296

Trusted

#352823 17-Jul-2010 22:18

The standard 8cm size antenna is usually a 3dbi
If you can replace it with something like a 5 or a 6dbi you should notice some difference.

If you can replace both antennas on each end then its even better, but even with just a little dlink, replacing the antenna usually gets you much better coverage.

Note that an increase in dbi means you cant use your antenna between floors, only a single floor as it broadcasts in a doughnut shape. As the dbi increases, the doughnut gets flatter and wider as it pushes more power out, rather than up and down.

Ray Taylor

There is no place like localhost

Spreadsheet for Comparing Electricity Plans Here