>>>>> "MK" == Michael KASSNER <KASSNER> writes:
MK> Hello, >> >> Yes, SMC's antenna is removable. Please bear with me while I ask some >> basic, stupid questions. An omni-directional antenna radiates a signal >> that is roughly an oval around the antenna point, correct? That is >> what make it an "omni-directional" and not "directional"? And the >> antenna I currently have is (typically) omni-directional? I can >> install a better omni-directional antenna to increase my range without >> making any other changes to the box? My range is not limited be the >> definition of 802.11b? MK> Your definition is essentially correct. It forms typically a donut MK> shape around the antenna and its axial direction depends on the MK> attitude of the antenna. The standard antenna from the manufacture MK> has a dBi gain attached with it. There are after market antennas that MK> have a higher dBi gain that will allow you to capture more signal MK> strength so to speak. If you look at the website under Omni's you MK> will see that some have 5dBi gain. Lets say that your attached MK> antenna had a 2dBi gain, the external antenna would more than double MK> the received and transmitted signal strength. There are some MK> regulations that limit the about of gain you can have for a given MK> transmitted power level. But that usually requires antennas in the MK> range 15-20dBi gain or if you have amplified the transmitted signal. Thanks for the detailed reply. What is the relationship between the gain of the antenna and the limitations imposed by the 802.11b protocol? There are standard speed/distance ratios that are generally discussed when referring to 802.11b products. So how is that I can increase things with a higher gain antenna? The spec on the SMC product does not mention the antenna's gain. Is 2dbi typical for this level of AP? If so, FAB-Corp has a 5dbi antenna for $35.00. It seems like a no-brainer to simply purchase it and effectively double the signal strength. Can it really be so simple and inexpensive? >> What are "pigtails"? MK> Pigtails are the cables that have the ability to connect two different MK> types of connectors. I am not sure what the connector is on the SMC MK> but you should be able to find a cable with that style and opposite MK> gender and then the other end of the cable would have the required MK> connector to attach to the antenna. So nothing fancy here. It's the necessary connector cables to mate the antenna with the device. >> Buying another AP won't help because, as I understand it, SMC AP's >> cannot be used in a repeater situation. If I don't want to replace my >> existing AP, my only cheap option is antenna replacement, correct? MK> Not necessarily so, it depends on the network layout. You have not MK> talked about that. You have a AP, what is it connected to? Are there MK> any hard wired Ethernet connections? It is possible to have two AP's MK> on the same network and then just connect them to a hub/switch. Or MK> another option is to buy a combo unit that has a switch/router/AP MK> built in. The other AP could be hard wired to this unit and then you MK> have two coverage circles. That requires the ability to run a hard MK> wire to another portion of the building though. My hub and server are in the basement. I'd rather not run wire throughout the house. It was fairly easy to bring an ethernet run up from the basement into my kitchen pantry so I recently did just that and brought the AP up into the middle of the house. This project is to simply boost the power of this AP so that I can make even more effective use of it. -- Jake Colman Principia Partners LLC Phone: (201) 209-2467 Harborside Financial Center Fax: (201) 946-0320 902 Plaza Two E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jersey City, NJ 07311 www.principiapartners.com -- NYCwireless - http://www.nycwireless.net/ Un/Subscribe: http://lists.nycwireless.net/mailman/listinfo/nycwireless/ Archives: http://lists.nycwireless.net/pipermail/nycwireless/
