bofors Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 I trying to share my high speed ISP service with my neighbor about 75 meters away with good line sight window to window (minor tree / brush obstructions). I just tried 802.11n with a D-Link DIR-615: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16833127241 ... and a D-Link DWA USB "N" Adaptor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16833127242 This gave me a weak connection, about 1 to 2 bars out of 5. I have several questions: (1) The first is basically the idea of using 802.11n versus g with directional antennas. It seems that 802.11n does really work with external antennas like 802.11g does. Is this true? If so what should I go with? 802.11g with directional antennas? Or 802.11n with stock antennas? TRENDnet says they have directional 802.11n antennas like this one, but I am not buying it yet: http://trendnet.com/products/proddetail.as...O19D&cat=68 (2) The best solution I have a the moment seems to be getting a pair of 802.11n "access points" from TRENDnet (TEW-637AP): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16833156232 Here are the issues with the TEW-637AP: ( a ) It apparently has only minimal Wireless Distribution System (WDS) support: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_Distribution_System But it is supposed to work like a basic "repeater" (but apparently not a full blown "bridge"). This should work for what I need, connect one TEW-637 to my router in my house and stick the other in my neighbors, where she can connect to it with her 802.11g laptop. ( b ) While the TEW-637AP is suppose to put out about 14dBm of 802.11n power, the D-Link DIR-615 specs claim 17dBm +/- 2 dBm in general (not specific for 802.11n) and I only got 2 out of 5 signal bars (but I do not trust D-Links power claims, also note the D-Link "Range Booster" DIR-625 supposed put out less power, 15dBm +/- 2 dBm than the entry level DIR-615). So I am wondering how much attention to pay to this 14dBm of 802.11n power (perhaps none, see below) that the TEW-637AP has? But it looks impressive compared with other TRENDnet devices like the TEW-633GR (only has 6 dBm of 802.11 power): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16833156226 ( c ) On the other hand, the TEW-633GR has 3 x 4dBi (12dBi) antennas compared with the only 2 x 2dB (4 dBi) for the TEW-637AP. I certainly could get a pair of TEW-633GR routers instead (and run one in WDS "repeater" mode). What is more important? Antenna power or output power (I am guessing antenna power now)? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/144074-extending-wireless-range-n-versus-antenna-versus-power/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaaseyRacer Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 Try one of these, it is cheap and they actually work. http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template2/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AregZGMbslo Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/144074-extending-wireless-range-n-versus-antenna-versus-power/#findComment-1022709 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bofors Posted January 2, 2009 Author Share Posted January 2, 2009 Try one of these, it is cheap and they actually work.http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template2/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AregZGMbslo That looks like a good idea, something I might try if the TRENDnet hardware (perhaps 2 TEW-633GR routers) I want to buy does not work perfectly out of the box. Thank you. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/144074-extending-wireless-range-n-versus-antenna-versus-power/#findComment-1023646 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bofors Posted January 3, 2009 Author Share Posted January 3, 2009 I want to add this because it essentially answer my questions about transmission power versus antenna gains: http://www.terabeam.com/support/calculations/som.php This is another half-decent WiFi reference: http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi So, the transmission power is essentially summed to the antenna gain. Unless I am doing something naive with respect to the dBm (transmission power) and dBi (antenna gain) metric, you can simple just add them for a simplistic comparison of range. The TEW-633GR would be about an "18" (3 x 4dBi + 6dBm) and the TEW-637AP would be about an "18" too (2 x 2dBi + 14dBm). But TRENDnet claims the TEW-633GR has a 400 meter range while the TEW-637AP is only 300 meters. I would also note that the 6dBm of 802.11n power the TEW-633GR puts out is only "typical" (I would now assume that the TEW-633GR has 802.11n transmission power of at least 14dBm and probably the full 18dBm specified for 802.11b). Furthermore, the equation does not consider MIMO technology or other factors which are supposed to extend the range of 802.11n over 802.11g. Finally, for people reading this in the future when shopping for a decent router, I would note that the availability of third-party open source firmware for Linksys WRT series routers is making them very attractive: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DD-WRT http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomato_(firmware) In fact, I am now considering getting a pair of Linksys WRT54GL routers for this project (DD-WRT can turn one into a repeater): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16833124190 My principle objection to WRT54GL is the lack of 802.11n, but it does not even have MIMO for 802.11g. Otherwise, the high quality, open source firmware total solves the problems that seem to plague most contemporary consumer routers. But I suppose I am going to order a pair of TEW-633GR's and then mod. their antennas if necessary. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/144074-extending-wireless-range-n-versus-antenna-versus-power/#findComment-1025198 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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