Need a high gain wireless card (or one capable of external antenna)

[wyvrn]

I have a question for the wireless savants. I currently own a Linksys BEFW11P1and the range is fairly ok. Since the WAP uses a pcmcia slot (it came with a linksys card) for it's antenna, I am thinking I can pull the linksys card and put a better card in to increase range, assuming the pcmcia slot isn't proprietary in some way (it's just labled pcmcia). I would need a card with a high gain antenna. I will also probably use this card on my laptop to increase my range on my school network, so that makes two cards I will need to purchase. I don't mind having an external antenna on the cards. Which one would be best bang for buck?

 

[JackMDS]

The market is very inflexible concerning this matter.

Take a look of what is available here: A selection of good commercial Antennae

An Example will be:

A 6.0 dBi 70 degree directional antenna that would velcro? to a laptop ,also includes a pigtail adapter that mates to a Avaya/Lucent/Orinoco card.

This Antenna is $49. Orinoco Gold card should run for about $60-70.

 

[jasonja]

I seriously doubt you will be able to replace that PCMCIA card in you AP with anything else. That AP's firmware is probably configured to know how to communicate only with that PCMCIA card (think built-in driver). If it detects anything else it will probably just puke.

 

[wyvrn]

Ok thanks for replies. From the looks of it, I probably need to stick with one wireless pccard with a really good antenna. What is the best card now, still Orinoco?

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: wyvrn
Ok thanks for replies. From the looks of it, I probably need to stick with one wireless pccard with a really good antenna. What is the best card now, still Orinoco?

D-Link is making cards with external antenna hook ups now too.

 

[SaigonK]

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I seriously doubt you will be able to replace that PCMCIA card in you AP with anything else. That AP's firmware is probably configured to know how to communicate only with that PCMCIA card (think built-in driver). If it detects anything else it will probably just puke.
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I would agree with this since I know it happens on my ISB WaveBase unit. Throw in a cisco unit and it craps out..put the orinoco based card back in and voila she works again.

 

[wyvrn]

Sweet. I'll look into it, thanks.

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: wyvrn
Ok thanks for replies. From the looks of it, I probably need to stick with one wireless pccard with a really good antenna. What is the best card now, still Orinoco?

D-Link is making cards with external antenna hook ups now too.