Signal Gain Options for Netgear MR814v2 Firewall+AP?

[ToeJam13]

All,

I purchased a Netgear MR814v2 for my parents about a year ago. Its worked okay for them, but they've always had an issue with the receiption when they take their laptop outside on their deck. They've asked me for help in correcting the poor receiption.

For starters, it seems that the MR814v2 uses a low gain 2-dbi fixed antenna. It also seems to transmit at a weak 30mW of power.

Are there any kits for replacing the fixed antenna on the MR814v2 with a mini-BNC/TNC, SMA or coax jack for connecting other antennas? I would like to replace the low gain antenna with a higher gain 7-dbi antenna.

I've also noticed that there are a large number of aftermarket 3rd party firmwares for some of the more popular APs on the market today. I know that a vast majority are for the Linksys AP units given that Linksys released their firmware code under the GPL, but I was curious if there are any hacks for upping the power output of my MR814v2 firmware.

 

[JackMDS]

Quote: For starters, it seems that the MR814v2 uses a low gain 2-dbi fixed antenna. It also seems to transmit at a weak 30mW of power.

This is the standard specs. Of 99.9% of all Entry Level Wireless Cable/DSL Routers.

Quote: Are there any kits for replacing the fixed antenna on the MR814v2 with a mini-BNC/TNC, SMA or coax jack for connecting other antennas? I would like to replace the low gain antenna with a higher gain 7-dbi antenna.

I do not think that the antenna of the MR814 is removable.
In any case A better Omni Antenna that resides indoor will improve the Wireless.
A directional Antenna does better, but would restrict the signal to one

A kit of a good Antenna would cost more than a New Router and you still be stuck with an old 802.11b router.

Quote: I've also noticed that there are a large number of aftermarket 3rd party firmwares for some of the more popular APs on the market today.

There are only two products that work with two routers. Hardly can be called ?Large Number?.

Option One. Play with the current Hardware position and see if you can improve the outcome.

Link to: Extending the Distance of Entry Level Wireless Network.

Option Two. Buy 802.11g hardware.

Link to: Wireless What Should I Get?

:sun:

 

[ToeJam13]

For starters, it seems that the MR814v2 uses a low gain 2-dbi fixed antenna. It also seems to transmit at a weak 30mW of power.

This is the standard specs. Of 99.9% of all Entry Level Wireless Cable/DSL Routers.

Correct. However it seems that a majority of mid-level home/soho units come with a 5-dbi or better antenna. Most aftermarket antennas are at least 6 or 7-dbi. All I need is an extra 20'-30' of range.

Are there any kits for replacing the fixed antenna on the MR814v2 with a mini-BNC/TNC, SMA or coax jack for connecting other antennas?

I do not think that the antenna of the MR814 is removable.

No, its fixed to the unit. I would need to desolder the older antenna and install a mini-TNC jack or the like through the back of the case.

A kit of a good Antenna would cost more than a New Router and you still be stuck with an old 802.11b router.

Most of the antenna I have seen are under $30. If somebody could suggest a good parts store where I could get the proper DIY pieces (ie, Frys, Radar, etc), then I'd do it myself.

The only reason I would upgrade is to get 802.11i support. Both of the WiFi cards my parents use are 802.11b, which is fine for Internet access. 802.11g would be overkill for them.

I have also read the wireless extension link. The primary issue here is cost. If their existsing AP can be upgraded for around $30, that would be preferrable to buying another cheap 802.11g AP that would have similar range issues. Again, all I need is an additional 20'-30'. If it can't be upgraded, then I'll consider replacing it. However, that won't happen until I see a greater number of 802.11i protected products released (or made upgradable via firmware).

 

[cparker]

Real easy to add to the range without spending a penny. Go to www.freeantennas.com and build a "windsurfer" parabolic reflector from their templates. All you have to do is print the templates from the downloaded images in microsoft paint as per their directions. Then use these images as templates to cut some stiff paper (I used file folders for this). Then you tape the two pieces together and glue/tape some aluminum foil to the back for the reflector part. Then you just slide the thing over your existing antenna (or if you have two, make two surfers). You direct them to where you want the gain. If your parents don't want any gain and need omnidirectional you can always pull the surfers off the antennas. You should get 9 db of gain easily. Alternatively you could try making a corner reflector using a file folder covered on one side with aluminum foil and just place it a few inches behind the unit aiming the open portion towards the deck. It might work.

 

[NordicNINE]

I've had decent luck with cheap add on antennas like SMC & Hawking from Microcenter with Belkin, Netgear, Dlink. Linksys I think uses a little stronger default antenna since I get less increase from them. With Linksys, I've always had better luck just buying the actual Linksys add-on antennas or boosting the output power with 3rd party firmware.

 

[ToeJam13]

Well, they need an omnidirectional antenna. My brother still lives at home, and his PC is downstairs. If I were to install a reflector, he'd loose his connectivity (which is already very weak).

I'm going to run down to Fry's and see if they sell mini-RNC jacks. Maybe I can pick one up along with a 6-10 dbi antenna and hack their WiFi router when I see them next.

 

[cparker]

Before you run down to fry's ... think about this. Suppose you get a gain omnidirectional antenna. Now you don't get anything for nothing. The gain you will get from that antenna will be in the form of a narrower but more intense main lobe in the horizontal plane (assuming it's vertically polarized, which is the case in virtually all those antennas standing on a base). That means that your parents on the deck might have a better signal but it also means that your brother downstairs will get a worse signal. Not good. A better solution IMHO is to set up another access point and aim the antenna (antennas) horizontally to that the main lobe on that box heads up and down. Then pop on one of those reflectors so that virtually all the energy goes down towards your brother. The original box should have another slip on reflector on it's antenna(s) aiming at the deck. You will have to use different channels for each, but I think it might work. You would have to turn off dhcp on the second router/ap and configure it as an ap. What would it cost? Well they are selling the boxes usually during the weekends for less than the cost of an antenna and look at http://www.pcconnection.com/ProductDetail?sku=429324 where they are giving away a belkin 802.11b box. (just check the documentation online at belking that you can configure it as an AP, I did a while back and am pretty sure it would work. But, of course, there are other people here who know about this much more than I do. But I think my solution will lead to success while I don't think getting an omni vertical will do you much good according to antenna modeling theory and practice.
Maybe the best solution would be to follow Jack's original suggestions and try moving your current router around and see if that helps. If it doesn't, build a windsurfer from freeantennas.com and experiment to see if it would give a better signal on the deck when the anenna is vertical and a better signal downstairs if horizontal and the surfer is placed on top of the antenna. That would prove the concept of using the reflector in both horizontal and vertical planes. At this point you might want to get a second router/ap. I would second Jack's suggestion to find an 802.11g router over the 11b versions if possible. (I've picked up several, real cheap. A netgear for 10 bucks and a Belkin for 8 bucks both on sales during weekends at compusa, but other places also have these sales (with rebates, of course) on G routers.) That might work on it's own. If it doesn't use the two router approach using the windsurfers, one with horizontal the other with vertical polarization. Since you already would now have two router/ap boxes you wouldn't have to spend anything more.