Hi-gain wireless network card - Page 2

Del Lardo · 26-08-2008, 15:54

Another alternative is the 5GHz AP that are hitting the market.

I'm working with a company called Celeno but I don't think their stuff is commercially available. Ruckus is another alternative.

Dr. Z · 26-08-2008, 21:16

If you are prepared to pay a little bit for it, you can get an access point like the WRT-54GL which, with the right firmware will enable you to pump out 200mW of transmit power. More than enough for what you are after.

You can then upgrade the antennae with 11dBi (or more) gain replacements, which will make things even better.

Only after doing that would I consider buying something like a Ubiquiti 300mW wireless card to boost things at the client end. I have a 24dBi gain antenna here, its a dish 75cm across... but it lets me pick up access points 3 or 4 miles away.

Burble · 26-08-2008, 21:18

WRT54GL with Tomato would have been my suggestion too.

Mark · 26-08-2008, 21:22

Yup - I used to bump up the gain on my WRT54GS to achieve much the same. I also used a semi-directional antenna to send the signal where I wanted it. That struggled at getting through walls but just about made it to my main Draytek router. Oddly, since I've hardwired the link between the two routers and switched the wi-fi off on the Draytek, I've got much better signals out of the WRT54GS even on relatively low power.

divine · 26-08-2008, 21:57

Just bear in mind on ADSL a WRT54 will need a seperate ethernet based ADSL modem, as it doesn't include one. Not that i've looked particularly hard but the only place I could find any recently was OcUK at like £30 a pop.

LeperousDust · 26-08-2008, 22:11

Yeah i was also thinking of mentioning a WRT using tomato

I love it very much, can do everything you want and more

And original version WRT54GS is the one you *really* want to look out for, but a GL does the job too i think, right guys?

Burble · 26-08-2008, 22:11

I was (and I assume DRZ was) recommending using a WRT54GL as just an AP and leaving the current router doing the routing.

Mark · 26-08-2008, 22:17

That would certainly seem like the logical option. Preferably turning off the wireless on the existing kit (if Sky's locked-down firmware allows that).

divine · 26-08-2008, 22:22

Either way it'll need two boxes, rather than being an all in one replacement package, that's what I was aiming to point out.

26-08-2008, 21:16	#12
Dr. Z I'm going for a scuttle... Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,021	If you are prepared to pay a little bit for it, you can get an access point like the WRT-54GL which, with the right firmware will enable you to pump out 200mW of transmit power. More than enough for what you are after. You can then upgrade the antennae with 11dBi (or more) gain replacements, which will make things even better. Only after doing that would I consider buying something like a Ubiquiti 300mW wireless card to boost things at the client end. I have a 24dBi gain antenna here, its a dish 75cm across... but it lets me pick up access points 3 or 4 miles away. __________________

26-08-2008, 21:22	#14
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Yup - I used to bump up the gain on my WRT54GS to achieve much the same. I also used a semi-directional antenna to send the signal where I wanted it. That struggled at getting through walls but just about made it to my main Draytek router. Oddly, since I've hardwired the link between the two routers and switched the wi-fi off on the Draytek, I've got much better signals out of the WRT54GS even on relatively low power. Last edited by Mark; 26-08-2008 at 21:24.

26-08-2008, 21:57	#15
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	Just bear in mind on ADSL a WRT54 will need a seperate ethernet based ADSL modem, as it doesn't include one. Not that i've looked particularly hard but the only place I could find any recently was OcUK at like £30 a pop. __________________

26-08-2008, 22:11	#16
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	Yeah i was also thinking of mentioning a WRT using tomato I love it very much, can do everything you want and more And original version WRT54GS is the one you really want to look out for, but a GL does the job too i think, right guys? __________________

26-08-2008, 22:22	#19
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	Either way it'll need two boxes, rather than being an all in one replacement package, that's what I was aiming to point out. __________________

26-08-2008, 15:54	#11
Del Lardo Absinthe Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cambridge Posts: 2,539	Another alternative is the 5GHz AP that are hitting the market. I'm working with a company called Celeno but I don't think their stuff is commercially available. Ruckus is another alternative.

26-08-2008, 21:18	#13
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	WRT54GL with Tomato would have been my suggestion too.

26-08-2008, 22:17	#18
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	That would certainly seem like the logical option. Preferably turning off the wireless on the existing kit (if Sky's locked-down firmware allows that).

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