Airlink+ 8dBi Directional Antenna $4.99 @ BA Fry's

[lordbob99]

Fry's Bay Area has the Airlink+ 8 dBi Directional Antenna for $4.99 out the door.

http://newspaperads.mercurynews.com/p2_...OP%5CROPAdSubregions%5C6926592.gif.gif

Outpost.com has it for $19.99 + shipping.

Supports both reverse SMA and TNC jacks.

 

[Zap]

I picked up three of these at the San Diego Fry's. The attractive check out girl said "great deal, huh."

 

[Miramonti]

What is the antenna for, to extend range?

 

[mplutodh1]

And what exactly do they fit? I am kinda confused as to what the benefit is of having one. Thanks.

 

[DestruyaUR]

There's a school of thought for each - some think an upgraded antenna boosts range, while others propose it merely strengthens the signal within the areas that were normally weak, while not really increasing the range any (instead just giving the ILLUSION of greater range since you naturally think that if the signal is stronger, you can wander farther from the access point but never do).

This antenna in particular is directional, which means it only makes sense when pointing it in a direction where the most usage would occur, or rather, when they're used with a wireless bridge to create a stronger link to the home station/router/access point. WAPs should use omnidirectional antennae for the most part since a directional antenna such as this would severely limit the focus of your network.

Directionals are also used sometimes to narrow a hotspot's active zone, so there's less chance of someone mooching off a network.

 

[mplutodh1]

Thanks DestruyaUR, so what is with the two types of connections? How do we know what this fits on? All the lingo used with products like this make no sense, they'd sell a lot more if they explained what it fit!

 

[DestruyaUR]

Originally posted by: mplutodh1
Thanks DestruyaUR, so what is with the two types of connections? How do we know what this fits on? All the lingo used with products like this make no sense, they'd sell a lot more if they explained what it fit!

It has an adapter to fit all routers/adapters with detachable antennae - if the antenna on yours is fixed, short of breaking it off and soldering the connector of this one onto the exposed copper, you're screwed.