Linksys WAP Antenna

programmergeek · 08-02-2002

What type of better antennas cann I get for my linksys access point. I was told the connector on the back is a little odd. I basacally use this to cover my house and just need a little more reception power to get through my cordless phone.

Thorn · 08-02-2002

The connector is a Reverse Polarity TNC. (RP-TNC) A TNC is a standard microwave RF connector.

You can get any kind of ISM band antenna you'd like for the WAP-11. Fab-corp.com sells some, but I like SuperPass.com. If you do it, however, two things: 1) Use only one antenna, and 2) make sure you turn off "Diversity" in the firmware. Set the antenna port to whichever one you connected to the new antenna.

Calcon · 08-03-2002

Thorn,
Why only one antenna? I have been playing around with this same setup. My first mistake was to use RG-58 instead of LMR 195. I figuared a 2' jummper wouldn't be a big deal. Was I wrong! Anyway I finally got LMR and made new jummpers and it worked much better but not much more than the 2.2 dBi antennas that come with it. When I did a outdoor test I got about 150' more distance out of the high gain antennas (8dBi). I used a 5dBi gain mobile antenna on my truck and made 2 runs. One with the 8dBi and one with the stock antennas. I set the access point on the cooler in the driveway and did my test. I was hoping for better results. If you add my gain in distance to a circle I got 300 more feet coverage. It would be nice if I could see a RF level graph on the AP to see if the high gain antennas hears any better. The next step is an AMP 250 or 500 mW, and a longer run of LMR 195 or 400 to the roof.

Thanks for any input!
Calcon

Quote:

Originally posted by Thorn

1) Use only one antenna, and 2) make sure you turn off "Diversity" in the firmware. Set the antenna port to whichever one you connected to the new antenna.

Thorn · 08-03-2002

Search on "diversity" and "multipath". This has been covered a in a lot of detail elsewhere on the forums. Many times.

To summarize: Two antennae setup like this are done so to defeat multipath issues. It is a very specific RF design. Moving the antennae away from each other defeats this design, and they now longer function as they should. This is bad, and may result in all sorts of unusual behavior that the designers never intended.

This is one reason that the FCC wants the connectors to not be "generally available to the public." If you don't know what you're doing with this stuff, they want to make it a little harder to screw up the whole works. Plus, it can also be potentially dangerous.

BTW, there is no need for an amp. Generally, amps are bad news unless you know what you are doing. I have a Linksys WAP11 that goes over 2 miles, unamped, with a 4.5dBi antenna.

kensington · 08-04-2002

Thorn - May I ask what antenna you are using ?

Thorn · 08-04-2002

SuperPass SPDG120 http://www.superpass.com/SPDG12O.html w/15' of a LMR 195. No pigtail. A RP-TNC on the AP end, and a male N on the other. I make my own cables.

Need BB · 08-04-2002

What are the best antennas for the linksys and should I get 2 of them?

Thorn · 08-04-2002

Bad question. Best for what purpose?

As for getting two, if you are moving the antennae away from the WAP, then no. READ about four posts up. It was just answered! Did you read any on this thread before posting?

Need BB · 08-05-2002

There are 2 antennas for a reason! What antenna would be best for range I need to add a about 500 feet.

Guest · 08-05-2002

You're asking for help, and argueing with the man who's trying to help you!

I gotta agree with him - DID you read any of the thread before posting? Not only has he explained the reason for there being two antennas, he goes further to tell you why you should disable one, if using an external antenna.

He's done his research, he knows his stuff - if you knew what he does - hell, you'd be answering someone else's question instead of making a fool of yourself.

Thorn · 08-05-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Need BB
There are 2 antennas for a reason! What antenna would be best for range I need to add a about 500 feet.

Guest,
First of all, Thank You. I appreciate the support. Sometimes I do wonder...

Need BB,

Under most conditions, a 3 to 5dBi antenna will be fine for an additional 500'.

Spoonfeed Mode ON

Yes, there are two antennae, and yes, they are there for a reason. A very specific reason. That reason is called DIVERSITY. It is used to deal with a specific problem with microwave radio frequency communicaion. That problem is known as MULTIPATH.

Now, I quote my earlier post FROM THIS THREAD, since it seems you cannot, or will not read higher. "Two antennae setup like this are done so to defeat multipath issues. It is a very specific RF design. Moving the antennae away from each other defeats this design, and they now longer function as they should. This is bad, and may result in all sorts of unusual behavior that the designers never intended.

Note the key sentence above: Moving the antennae away from each other defeats this design, and they now longer function as they should. This is the reason you should turn off diversity in the WAP11 firmware. The antennae no longer function within the intended parameters.

This is also the reason that you only want and need one antenna. Once diversity is turned off, the antennae no longer function together, and it fact, may cause problems with each other.

Again, I echo my earlier post: "Search on "diversity" and "multipath". This has been covered a in a lot of detail elsewhere on the forums. Many times.

Spoonfeed Mode OFF

kensington · 08-05-2002

OK, I've got a couple of Dell True Mobile AP's (rebranded Cisco AP 4800) What type of connector is that ? What if I just take one of the anntennae apart use the connector and solder on a homebrew omni ? Will that work ?

lincomatic · 08-05-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by kensington
OK, I've got a couple of Dell True Mobile AP's (rebranded Cisco AP 4800) What type of connector is that ? What if I just take one of the anntennae apart use the connector and solder on a homebrew omni ? Will that work ?

what model is that? the True Mobile AP's i've seen have just been rebranded ORiNOCO RG's

kensington · 08-06-2002

It's a year or so old. On the back it says;

Aironet
AP 4800
Model 4822B

if i can get the $500 week old digi to work

i'll take pics.

I was also thinking last night (in my simple not all that knowledgable mind) about the connectors for the mini-PCI, what if I order more connectors from Dell, could I then cut and solder to extend the cable for an external antenna ?

kensington · 08-06-2002

08-02-2002	#1 (permalink)
programmergeek Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 10	Linksys WAP Antenna What type of better antennas cann I get for my linksys access point. I was told the connector on the back is a little odd. I basacally use this to cover my house and just need a little more reception power to get through my cordless phone. __________________ www.programmergeek.com

08-02-2002	#2 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,096	The connector is a Reverse Polarity TNC. (RP-TNC) A TNC is a standard microwave RF connector. You can get any kind of ISM band antenna you'd like for the WAP-11. Fab-corp.com sells some, but I like SuperPass.com. If you do it, however, two things: 1) Use only one antenna, and 2) make sure you turn off "Diversity" in the firmware. Set the antenna port to whichever one you connected to the new antenna. __________________ Thorn "I'm The Doctor. I'm a Time Lord. I am from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation Kasterborous. I'm 903 years old and I am the man who is going to save your lives and all 6 billion people on the planet below... You got a problem with that?"

08-03-2002	#4 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,096	Search on "diversity" and "multipath". This has been covered a in a lot of detail elsewhere on the forums. Many times. To summarize: Two antennae setup like this are done so to defeat multipath issues. It is a very specific RF design. Moving the antennae away from each other defeats this design, and they now longer function as they should. This is bad, and may result in all sorts of unusual behavior that the designers never intended. This is one reason that the FCC wants the connectors to not be "generally available to the public." If you don't know what you're doing with this stuff, they want to make it a little harder to screw up the whole works. Plus, it can also be potentially dangerous. BTW, there is no need for an amp. Generally, amps are bad news unless you know what you are doing. I have a Linksys WAP11 that goes over 2 miles, unamped, with a 4.5dBi antenna. __________________ Thorn "I'm The Doctor. I'm a Time Lord. I am from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation Kasterborous. I'm 903 years old and I am the man who is going to save your lives and all 6 billion people on the planet below... You got a problem with that?" Last edited by Thorn : 08-03-2002 at 08:01 AM.

08-04-2002	#6 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,096	SuperPass SPDG120 http://www.superpass.com/SPDG12O.html w/15' of a LMR 195. No pigtail. A RP-TNC on the AP end, and a male N on the other. I make my own cables. __________________ Thorn "I'm The Doctor. I'm a Time Lord. I am from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation Kasterborous. I'm 903 years old and I am the man who is going to save your lives and all 6 billion people on the planet below... You got a problem with that?"

08-04-2002	#7 (permalink)
Need BB Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 11	What are the best antennas for the linksys and should I get 2 of them? __________________ I NEED SOME BB

08-04-2002	#5 (permalink)
kensington Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: here Posts: 62	Thorn - May I ask what antenna you are using ?

08-04-2002	#8 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,096	Bad question. Best for what purpose? As for getting two, if you are moving the antennae away from the WAP, then no. READ about four posts up. It was just answered! Did you read any on this thread before posting? __________________ Thorn "I'm The Doctor. I'm a Time Lord. I am from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation Kasterborous. I'm 903 years old and I am the man who is going to save your lives and all 6 billion people on the planet below... You got a problem with that?"

08-05-2002	#9 (permalink)
Need BB Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 11	There are 2 antennas for a reason! What antenna would be best for range I need to add a about 500 feet. __________________ I NEED SOME BB

08-05-2002	#10 (permalink)
Guest Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 23	You folks NEVER cease to amaze me ... You're asking for help, and argueing with the man who's trying to help you! I gotta agree with him - DID you read any of the thread before posting? Not only has he explained the reason for there being two antennas, he goes further to tell you why you should disable one, if using an external antenna. He's done his research, he knows his stuff - if you knew what he does - hell, you'd be answering someone else's question instead of making a fool of yourself.

08-05-2002	#12 (permalink)
kensington Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: here Posts: 62	n00b ? OK, I've got a couple of Dell True Mobile AP's (rebranded Cisco AP 4800) What type of connector is that ? What if I just take one of the anntennae apart use the connector and solder on a homebrew omni ? Will that work ?

08-06-2002	#14 (permalink)
kensington Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: here Posts: 62	It's a year or so old. On the back it says; Aironet AP 4800 Model 4822B if i can get the $500 week old digi to work i'll take pics. I was also thinking last night (in my simple not all that knowledgable mind) about the connectors for the mini-PCI, what if I order more connectors from Dell, could I then cut and solder to extend the cable for an external antenna ?

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