- 7 Comments
- HOTNESS UNHOT
MWave has the Premiertek ANT-9dBi 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz 9dBi SMA OMNI-Directional High-Gain Screw-On Swivel Antenna for Routers or Network Card Adapters for $7 - $2 off with coupon code 2AA97956 = $5 with free shipping. Can boost wireless signal from a standard 2dBi to 9dBi.
Worthless. I have seen NO improvement!
Moving from a generic 2dBi antenna to one with a higher rating does help in some situations, but that's not a guarantee it will help enough.
Same for me #1, I threw mine away.
I've seen mixed results. Definite improvement in one case, where the access point was far away (200 feet?) on the same floor. The original antenna was the cable modem's tiny 1/4 wave. This took the signal from "zero" to "works okay" at that range. (A carefully-positioned Premiertek "high-power" USB adapter that came with the SAME antenna pushed that up to "good WiFi".)
No improvement on a D-Link ehome router, but that could be fault of the router.
Note: Wiggle the plastic cover off an see if it is about 3 inches longer than the antenna element underneath. If so, you can trim down that plastic tube and get a more compact antenna. Unfortunately, it also means THAT version of the antenna won't be as effective at flattening the radiation pattern into a disc and so extending range--bummer. If you find that you got one where the wire extends to the tip of the plastic--rejoice! You're a grand prize winner.
Bottom line: Worth a shot for $5, if you need another "dot" or two on your WiFi reception.
I put the stock antennas back on. Don't waste your money.
Make sure you are not running on channels 6 or 11, having a bigger antenna & having other wireless networks on the same channel "especially" won't help your signal strength. Also if you don't use 802.11b disable it if you can. These larger antennas work best when you have one on each end. Say a router to a access point. Remember your device receiving the signal has to use whatever it has to get the signal back to your router or access point.
Move your routers away from walls and your signal will improve by at least a few bars. I've done it and I get 2 bars for the same PC that sits about 25 ft away