Linksys High-Gain Networking Antenna Kit $9.99

[maddawg]

I have a Linksys WRT54G and trying to connect the two antennas to the router, but cannot figure how to disconnect the antennas on the router....Is seems they don't twist off and I do not want to break them.....Any help would be appreciated....

 

[T2urtle]

they do twist off the WHOLE black base comes off. it looks like the thicker black peice that is right up against the router stays on the router but indeed they DO completely come off as 1. Just a little loving is all it needs.

Yea i think the PCI card and the vonage/linksys router i have use the mini and the normal routers use the started TNC. THIS IS MY ASSUMPTION only. returning tomorow.

 

[AMDMaddness]

double post sorry

 

[AMDMaddness]

Originally posted by: MIDealGuy
quote:
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The thing is, you can get about 5dB of signal loss just at the antenna connector, so don't expect a whole lot from a 7dB boost...
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actually, the loss comes in from the coax used for some remote antennas. that thin, rg178 (i believe) is not really designed to carry 2.4 ghz signals. the only "lossless" way to send microwave signals is either by what's called a waveguide, or by the use of nitrogen-filled hardline (similar to what you see carrying RF up the towers in commercial broadcasting).

even a 3' piece of the rg-178 is going to show 3-5 db of loss. that's why if you want to mount a a/b/g/n router up high, you don't use coax to put the antenna up. you put the router as high as you can, with the shortest run of coax possible, preferrably a direct connection to the antenna (as these antennas have).

as a note, i had a 7 dbi antenna in my linksys wrt54g, connected with a 2' piece of rg178. i saw no performance increase in the house. i took the antenna off the mount, put it right into the back of the router, and saw a 20-30% increase in signal strength in the corner farthest from the house.

A 3db antenna or a 7db antenna or 0db antennas don?t actually give you gain it?s not powered nor does it amplify your signal. The DB raiting is more of the pattern the antenna projects, a 7db has a more narrowed band around it like a sideways doughnut shape and a 0 db antenna is more of a ball shape which is great for two story houses etc. a 7db and higher antenna will reach farther simply because the signal is more concentrated in a slice rather than the ball shape. A directional antenna is best if your router is on one side of the house and not in the middle so you can contour your coverage to your house rather than your house and side yard. An omni antenna (0-3db antenna) is great for having a router in the middle of a two story house or as higher multi DB antenna if a single story. A cantenna concentrates more into a beam so all of the energy will go farther than it being all spread out. Its great for point to point like a microwave shot but not good for covering a multi story house or a large area. Buy the antenna for application you need it for not because it says 7 or 20db of gain if might actually make things worse.

If you are seeing a 3-5db loss in your cable its simply a bad cable you should see less than .5db of loss on a cable that short. Now if you ran 100 or so feet yeah maybe 3-5db on a cheep cable. hopefully those who are doing antenna cables are using RG8X and not RG174/RG178 (both common used on WIFI) as it is better on long distance runs. Now saying RG174/178 is not rated for 2.4ghz is false it can run it very well it is 50ohm cable just like RG8X and the like it just has less copper and surface area so it has more loss. In a short run between the two you will see little if any degraded signal if your using RG174 over RG8X. Always use quality calbe and connectors.

Originally posted by: T2urtle
they do twist off the WHOLE black base comes off. it looks like the thicker black peice that is right up against the router stays on the router but indeed they DO completely come off as 1. Just a little loving is all it needs.

Yea i think the PCI card and the vonage/linksys router i have use the mini and the normal routers use the started TNC. THIS IS MY ASSUMPTION only. returning tomorow.

the connector you refer to as a mini TNC is a Reverse SMA dont confuse it with a standard SMA or you will get pissed off when you try to hook it all up and find they dont mate. Linksys routers are about the only thing that runs TNC these days most everything else runs R-SMA. Good luck on your antenna hunt and remember they do make adapters

 

[Frykun]

Originally posted by: thelamer
This in combination with signal boost with open-wrt can have some serious potential.

Anyone have any results they can post??

I've read a lot of info on boosting wifi signals. Here's what you need to know:
* the best improvement to your signal is a higher-gain antenna
* if you boost the power output, you get a higher range FOR SENDING ONLY. That means your laptop will be able to "see" the network at a further distance, but you likely won't be able to connect because the router can't receive signals sent from the laptop.
* if you boost the power output, you overheat the router. if you really want to, add active cooling to it and boost the power then. Note, that boosting the power is technically illegal (prohibited by FCC, if i'm not mistaken)


7dBi is pretty low by today's standards. I've seen 10dBi omnidirectional and directional antennas at Fry's on a continuous on&off sale for $10. The directional is single unit, omnidirectional is two antennas.

HTH

 

[maddawg]

I cannot get the antennas off of the unit!!!! I used a pair of pliers, like you said and tried taking the whole nub on the back of the unit off and it does not twist off. It is molded as all one piece ---- The nubs and back are all one piece......

Is this a new version or something???? I have the WRT54G V8...........

 

[RaGe420]

use the coupon

http://www.radioshack.com/uc/i...pecials.html&noBc=true

I got 5 pairs for 6.99 each

Just hooked a set up and my signal dropped

 

[ironk]

will this work with a Buffallo router that was like $25AR at CC?

 

[hansmuff]

OP, thanks for this deal, $10 is a great price for this set.

I put this on my WRT54GL which is in the basement and I get FAR less wireless transmission errors to and from the router, and the signal is stronger (as seen in the laptop's wireless tool). I haven't explored range improvements, but for $10 I'm already satisfied.

maddawg, it seems you're out of luck buddy
This Linksys forum thread clearly states that the V8 as the only one in the WRT54G family does NOT have removable antennas.

 

[maddawg]

I guess thats why I cannot replace the antennas. I am going to see if I can get a different version.....Thanks - That explains it

WRT54GL V8 will NOT work with these antennas!!!!!!!!!

My next question is - Aside from the fixed antenna, what is the difference if I downgrade to V7 model?

 

[maddawg]

Is there any way of looking at the box to determine which version it is. Maybe by the serial/upc number????

I would like to get V7 with the removable antenna......

 

[Delbert]

Originally posted by: maddawg
Is there any way of looking at the box to determine which version it is. Maybe by the serial/upc number????

I would like to get V7 with the removable antenna......

[/i]

There used to be a list at linksysinfo.org but I just looked and couldnt find it.
Here is a wiki that lists the Version vs. Serial Number (the S/N can be found by the barcode on the box).

 

[ClockerXP]

I bought an antenna like that a couple years ago on eBay for use on my SMC router. Signal strength is *definitely* improved. I don't see how there would be any more loss at the connector than there is with the smaller antenna that's included with the router.

I *can* see how there would be a bigger loss with those remoted mounted antenna's that are on the end of a longer wire but not with this one where the antenna attachment is the same and the only difference is the size of the antenna.

 

[Basilisk]

Back in stock, but now $20.