Best wireless antenna

[QueBert]

I'm cheap and one of my neighbors said I could use his wireless, but he's a bit far for me to connect. I bought a Buffalo external antenna, but it doesn't quite cut it. What would be my best option in the the $100-150'ish range?

 

[marulee]

What is your WNIC?

 

[QueBert]

right now I have a Buffalo external USB one, gonna sell it, don't think there is ad adapter, internet or external that will have the range I need. So my thoughts were to buy a basic adapter and get a really good external antenna

 

[acaeti]

Get a WRT54GL linksys wireless router (~$60), flash it with latest DD-WRT (free, easy), set it in client mode, and put it in a window nearest your neighbor. Run a cat5e back to your machine. Alternately, use WDS on the reflashed WRT54GL/DD-WRT and connect to the rebroadcast network using your wlan card, though I have never had good luck with WDS.

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: acaeti
Get a WRT54GL linksys wireless router (~$60), flash it with latest DD-WRT (free, easy), set it in client mode, and put it in a window nearest your neighbor. Run a cat5e back to your machine. Alternately, use WDS on the reflashed WRT54GL/DD-WRT and connect to the rebroadcast network using your wlan card, though I have never had good luck with WDS.

interesting idea to use an actual router my neighbor is pretty far, like 6 houses up. With my Buffalo setup I'd get a signal but it would cut in and out a lot. more out than in. so I bought a Linksys SRX which worked almost flawlessly then just gave up.

My room has no window, and the closest window would be around 30'ish feet, maybe more. Dunno if my roomie will want a router/cable running from their room but I'll ask. I don't think the router could hit 6 houses away without a booste3d antenna anyways?

that router is on sale @ BB this week for 50 bucks, I should pick one up and give it a shot thanks for the idea man

 

[QueBert]

looks like maybe that Linksys router + a Super Cantenna will be my best option without breaking the bank. Anyone know how those Cantenna's work thru walls? My Linksys SRX (while it worked) did an excellent job without needing a window at all.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: QueBert
I bought a Buffalo external antenna... right now I have a Buffalo external USB one

You didn't buy an antenna, you bought a USB wireless adaptor (with built-in antenna).

Ethernet converter for those who don't want to mess with flashing non-supported (by the manufacturer) firmware. I've got two of those and they're pretty easy to set up and work okay. They are "high power" meaning they actually have an amplifier built in. They use an RP-SMC connector for the antenna.

Regarding 6 houses away, that's easily doable distance-wise, but tricky because of walls. Remember, line of sight is your friend.

Originally posted by: acaeti
put it in a window nearest your neighbor. Run a cat5e back to your machine.

That's a good idea. Indeed you may be able to drill a tiny hole (RP-SMC ends are about 3/8" diameter) and run the antenna outside.

Remember, line of sight is your friend. Okay, I'll stop repeating that.

Before you set up your end, be a nice chap and buy your neighbor a new omnidirectional antenna. Besides being a "thank you" for sharing his wireless with you, it will inprove your chances on reaching his signal by boosting it. It doesn't actually matter what antenna he uses, as long as it is:
1) Higher gain than stock (most stock antennas are 2dbi, aim for 5dbi or higher).
2) Proper plug.
3) On a wire instead of direct attachment, so it can be positioned higher because higher antenna = longer range.

On your end with the wireless ethernet converter, get a directional antenna. Same 1-2-3 as the omni. Connect it to the ethernet converter and point it at the omni, wherever that is.

If you really want to go crazy, this place sells equipment good enough for WISPs (Wireless ISPs). I've purchased from them in the past and the equipment is good stuff. Expensive, but a step above the little plastic things on your desk.

 

[JackMDS]

You asked for the best around $100.

http://www.wirelessnetworkproducts.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1108

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: QueBert
I bought a Buffalo external antenna... right now I have a Buffalo external USB one

You didn't buy an antenna, you bought a USB wireless adaptor (with built-in antenna).

Ethernet converter for those who don't want to mess with flashing non-supported (by the manufacturer) firmware. I've got two of those and they're pretty easy to set up and work okay. They are "high power" meaning they actually have an amplifier built in. They use an RP-SMC connector for the antenna.

Regarding 6 houses away, that's easily doable distance-wise, but tricky because of walls. Remember, line of sight is your friend.

Originally posted by: acaeti
put it in a window nearest your neighbor. Run a cat5e back to your machine.

That's a good idea. Indeed you may be able to drill a tiny hole (RP-SMC ends are about 3/8" diameter) and run the antenna outside.

Remember, line of sight is your friend. Okay, I'll stop repeating that.

Before you set up your end, be a nice chap and buy your neighbor a new omnidirectional antenna. Besides being a "thank you" for sharing his wireless with you, it will inprove your chances on reaching his signal by boosting it. It doesn't actually matter what antenna he uses, as long as it is:
1) Higher gain than stock (most stock antennas are 2dbi, aim for 5dbi or higher).
2) Proper plug.
3) On a wire instead of direct attachment, so it can be positioned higher because higher antenna = longer range.

On your end with the wireless ethernet converter, get a directional antenna. Same 1-2-3 as the omni. Connect it to the ethernet converter and point it at the omni, wherever that is.

If you really want to go crazy, this place sells equipment good enough for WISPs (Wireless ISPs). I've purchased from them in the past and the equipment is good stuff. Expensive, but a step above the little plastic things on your desk.

sorry if I wasn't clear, I bought a Buffalo USB wifi adapter, then I bought a Buffalo hi-gain 6.5dbi antenna which I hooked up to my usb adapter. The antenna seemed to make very little difference though .

I bought him the same Buffalo 6.5dbi antenna I have, it's omni directional but his house is pretty far, maybe I'm pushing it thinking I can get a good signal from the distance I am.

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: QueBert
I bought a Buffalo external antenna... right now I have a Buffalo external USB one

You didn't buy an antenna, you bought a USB wireless adaptor (with built-in antenna).

Ethernet converter for those who don't want to mess with flashing non-supported (by the manufacturer) firmware. I've got two of those and they're pretty easy to set up and work okay. They are "high power" meaning they actually have an amplifier built in. They use an RP-SMC connector for the antenna.

Regarding 6 houses away, that's easily doable distance-wise, but tricky because of walls. Remember, line of sight is your friend.

Originally posted by: acaeti
put it in a window nearest your neighbor. Run a cat5e back to your machine.

That's a good idea. Indeed you may be able to drill a tiny hole (RP-SMC ends are about 3/8" diameter) and run the antenna outside.

Remember, line of sight is your friend. Okay, I'll stop repeating that.

Before you set up your end, be a nice chap and buy your neighbor a new omnidirectional antenna. Besides being a "thank you" for sharing his wireless with you, it will inprove your chances on reaching his signal by boosting it. It doesn't actually matter what antenna he uses, as long as it is:
1) Higher gain than stock (most stock antennas are 2dbi, aim for 5dbi or higher).
2) Proper plug.
3) On a wire instead of direct attachment, so it can be positioned higher because higher antenna = longer range.

On your end with the wireless ethernet converter, get a directional antenna. Same 1-2-3 as the omni. Connect it to the ethernet converter and point it at the omni, wherever that is.

If you really want to go crazy, this place sells equipment good enough for WISPs (Wireless ISPs). I've purchased from them in the past and the equipment is good stuff. Expensive, but a step above the little plastic things on your desk.

Be very very carefull moving to external antennas on a wire. You lose (iirc) .5 dB per connector (on each end) and then the cable will also have loss, depending on quality. For ultra high quality cables, we pay ~80 for a 1-2 foot cable.


OP, I would look into a wireless bridge that works over POE, put into a rootenna type box on the roof, so you have line of sight.

I use (and they are far from the greatest, just adding to a legacy system) smartbridges Indoor radios inside those, and they work OK. You might look at Tranzio as another outside bridge source.