WAP11 antenna for home

James448 · 01-05-2003

Ok, ive done the search for wap11 like was previously suggested. I found not alot........
So heres what I would like to accomplish and any advice is appeciated.......

I have a 100? foot long ranch house and presently have a WAP11 v1 and get average performance. I would like to move it to a closet in the middle of the house, and would like to boost performance so I dont get any outage at all ( presently I get dropped packets now and then and the AP is out in the open.)

So what antenna or booster or whatever should I get? pigtail? whats that? a converter?
If you can give me a link to a store preferrably in the US..

BTW im using a Xjack 3com NIC, if that matters.

Thanks in advance

PS- i dont see an option in the SNMP util to turn off one antenna ?

Thorn · 01-05-2003

Are you sure of those dimensions? 100' is very large for a ranch type home. To give a correct answer a lot more information would neet to be supplied. Construction type, materials etc.

Additionally, there is no WAP11 v1.0 released to the public to my knowledge. I'm assuming you mean v1.1.

You may not need a different antenna. Take this in steps.
1) Move the WAP11 to the central location, and test it.
2) Try other locations, and test them.
3) In each spot, try the built in antennae with both vertical, both horizontal and one in each position. Note what works best in all areas of the house.
3) If the performance is still inadaquete in all the areas you need to reach, then choose the best performing location, and thenadd an antenna.

A 4.5 dB to 5.5 dB omni would probably do OK. You will need a RP-TNC female to N male cable. You don't need a pigtail.

You cannot turn off one of the antenna ports in the SNMP utility in WAP11 v1.1. To do that you need the advanced Amtel SNMP utility.

MarcusJClifford · 01-06-2003

I would suggest changing your Xjack 3com NIC for a better one - e.g. Orinoco Gold or Cisco 352 range.

Range / Recieve Sensitivity is much better etc.

I have the 3COM Xjack and an Orinoco Gold card and everytime in every situation the Orinoco is better.

James448 · 01-06-2003

Yes im sure its near 100 ft. I got a gutter estimate about 2 months ago just for the back and it was measured.
Wap is 1.1 not 1, just saving typing, i knew youd understand.

Ok now to the important stuff.

Im getting my house wired for other stuff next week ( xbox, move server, move wap, wifes workstation) and am moving alot of stuff inside a central closet. The WAP is near the outside of that now and thats where im getting the somewhat poor performance.

I Dont have many other choices, besides sitting it on the kitchen counter....boss wont have that.

House is typical house, wood framed with drywall. outside is brick.
I dont care about the cost, I just want good performance.

So where can I get a 4.5 DB omni? and this Amtel util?

Also, id rather not trade in the Xjack, I love the hideaway feature.

PS- should I just get the new linksys booster instead?

Thanks

Thorn · 01-06-2003

If you're running Cat5, what about putting a run up to the attic? I've put in a couple like that; it generally works well. With few or no interior partitions to obstruct it, the signal gets out a little better.

A good 4.5dB at a good price is at Superpass.com; but you will need the Atmel utility, because you need to shut off diversity. To find the utility, search the these forums and web for the "WAP11 hack." (The power boost hack.) The same utility is used to set the antenna diversity.

I've not used the Linksys amp, they're so new I haven't gotten one. On the surface, it makes a lot of sense. You don't have to change anything, swap the antennae and two cables and you've got 10dB gain. No worries about diversity, no special cables, etc.

James448 · 01-07-2003

Thorn,
I was thinking about the Attic thing before, but I was afraid of the heat in the summer?.
I live in Atlanta, GA and it gets mid 90s in August which means about 130degrees in the attic.
Is this to hot?

Also, can I assume this 10db gain of the booster is better than the 4.5 db gain of a new antenna? ( dont laugh, hehe)

Thanks

Thorn · 01-07-2003

Check the Linksys website for the operating specs. It may be on the upper end of the range.

I can tellyo that we went through two heat waves of high nineties here in Vermont last spring and summer. My personal WAP11 which is attic mounted never missed a beat. One heat wave was one week and the other was close to two weeks.

Yes, 10dB gain from the amp, vs. 4.5 from the antenna.

razta · 01-07-2003

It should handle the 130 ok. Linksys's site wont deliver the PDF's to me right now for some unknown reason.

You could mount one of these ceiling mount antennas in your house too to help:
Maxrad 5.5 dBi Ceiling Mount Omni Antenna

Michelangelo series Ceiling mount Omni Antenna. Covers 2400 to 2485 MHz with a VSWR of less than 1.5:1. Optimized radiation pattern focuses energy where it is needed while suppressing upper and lower sidelobe energy.

* R-TNC Male Pigtail (N Male, N Female available on request)
* VSWR < 1.5:1
* Drop ceiling grid mount (included)
* 10" X 2" X 2"

Regular Price: $ 79.00
Your Price: $ 54.95

You can get it at http://www.fab-corp.com

Superpass has great prices too, but do they have a U.S. based office yet?

James448 · 01-07-2003

Thorn,"Yes, 10dB gain from the amp, vs. 4.5 from the antenna"

So I think we've finalized on the booster being better than an antenna and sticking it in the attic will be just fine?

Sounds good to me, nice and easy.

Thanks for everyones help, I'll keep you posted on how it works out!

Thorn · 01-07-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by razta
...Superpass has great prices too, but do they have a U.S. based office yet?

AFAIK, they are still just in Canada, but this has never been a problem.

Veloslave · 01-16-2003

I just got my booster in today 1/15/03 and it did make a pretty significant difference. Now to answer your next question

SORRY, I'm so new to 802.11b that I did nothing other than get frustrated with the WAP11 performance and found the booster and bought it.

I haven't actually measured out how much further I can go now but I do know I won't have to pick the Laptop up and hold it in the air for this to post

razta · 01-16-2003

Are you using a Orinoco card with your linksys AP?
I would be curious to know what your -dBm is after installing the booster.

Anyone check out the Linksys booster against a spectrum anaylzer? I remember when the 100mw mod was done, the linksys seemed to bleed into other channels...

Veloslave · 01-16-2003

I'm using a Symbol CF Spectrum 24 wireless networker. not know for its strong signal I guess... but it at least works for both PC and PPC in the CF form factor.

If you would like I can check something for you but you might need to describe the procedure.

razta · 01-16-2003

Unfortunately, i have never used the Symbol card. =(

01-05-2003	#1 (permalink)
James448 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Alpharetta ,GA Posts: 4	WAP11 antenna for home Ok, ive done the search for wap11 like was previously suggested. I found not alot........ So heres what I would like to accomplish and any advice is appeciated....... I have a 100? foot long ranch house and presently have a WAP11 v1 and get average performance. I would like to move it to a closet in the middle of the house, and would like to boost performance so I dont get any outage at all ( presently I get dropped packets now and then and the AP is out in the open.) So what antenna or booster or whatever should I get? pigtail? whats that? a converter? If you can give me a link to a store preferrably in the US.. BTW im using a Xjack 3com NIC, if that matters. Thanks in advance PS- i dont see an option in the SNMP util to turn off one antenna ?

01-05-2003	#2 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,096	Are you sure of those dimensions? 100' is very large for a ranch type home. To give a correct answer a lot more information would neet to be supplied. Construction type, materials etc. Additionally, there is no WAP11 v1.0 released to the public to my knowledge. I'm assuming you mean v1.1. You may not need a different antenna. Take this in steps. 1) Move the WAP11 to the central location, and test it. 2) Try other locations, and test them. 3) In each spot, try the built in antennae with both vertical, both horizontal and one in each position. Note what works best in all areas of the house. 3) If the performance is still inadaquete in all the areas you need to reach, then choose the best performing location, and thenadd an antenna. A 4.5 dB to 5.5 dB omni would probably do OK. You will need a RP-TNC female to N male cable. You don't need a pigtail. You cannot turn off one of the antenna ports in the SNMP utility in WAP11 v1.1. To do that you need the advanced Amtel SNMP utility. __________________ 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?"

01-06-2003	#3 (permalink)
MarcusJClifford United Kingdom User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 130	Change the Xjack 3com NIC I would suggest changing your Xjack 3com NIC for a better one - e.g. Orinoco Gold or Cisco 352 range. Range / Recieve Sensitivity is much better etc. I have the 3COM Xjack and an Orinoco Gold card and everytime in every situation the Orinoco is better. __________________ Orinoco Gold, Mobile Mark 5 DBi Mag Mount, Belkin WAP, 4x D-Link 1500 WAP / Bridges, 2x 24Dbi Parabolics, 1 12Db Omnidirectional.

01-06-2003	#5 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,096	If you're running Cat5, what about putting a run up to the attic? I've put in a couple like that; it generally works well. With few or no interior partitions to obstruct it, the signal gets out a little better. A good 4.5dB at a good price is at Superpass.com; but you will need the Atmel utility, because you need to shut off diversity. To find the utility, search the these forums and web for the "WAP11 hack." (The power boost hack.) The same utility is used to set the antenna diversity. I've not used the Linksys amp, they're so new I haven't gotten one. On the surface, it makes a lot of sense. You don't have to change anything, swap the antennae and two cables and you've got 10dB gain. No worries about diversity, no special cables, etc. __________________ 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?"

01-07-2003	#7 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,096	Check the Linksys website for the operating specs. It may be on the upper end of the range. I can tellyo that we went through two heat waves of high nineties here in Vermont last spring and summer. My personal WAP11 which is attic mounted never missed a beat. One heat wave was one week and the other was close to two weeks. Yes, 10dB gain from the amp, vs. 4.5 from the 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?"

01-06-2003	#4 (permalink)
James448 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Alpharetta ,GA Posts: 4	Yes im sure its near 100 ft. I got a gutter estimate about 2 months ago just for the back and it was measured. Wap is 1.1 not 1, just saving typing, i knew youd understand. Ok now to the important stuff. Im getting my house wired for other stuff next week ( xbox, move server, move wap, wifes workstation) and am moving alot of stuff inside a central closet. The WAP is near the outside of that now and thats where im getting the somewhat poor performance. I Dont have many other choices, besides sitting it on the kitchen counter....boss wont have that. House is typical house, wood framed with drywall. outside is brick. I dont care about the cost, I just want good performance. So where can I get a 4.5 DB omni? and this Amtel util? Also, id rather not trade in the Xjack, I love the hideaway feature. PS- should I just get the new linksys booster instead? Thanks

01-07-2003	#6 (permalink)
James448 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Alpharetta ,GA Posts: 4	Thorn, I was thinking about the Attic thing before, but I was afraid of the heat in the summer?. I live in Atlanta, GA and it gets mid 90s in August which means about 130degrees in the attic. Is this to hot? Also, can I assume this 10db gain of the booster is better than the 4.5 db gain of a new antenna? ( dont laugh, hehe) Thanks

01-07-2003	#8 (permalink)
razta PTP to PTMP Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Tucson Posts: 150	It should handle the 130 ok. Linksys's site wont deliver the PDF's to me right now for some unknown reason. You could mount one of these ceiling mount antennas in your house too to help: Maxrad 5.5 dBi Ceiling Mount Omni Antenna Michelangelo series Ceiling mount Omni Antenna. Covers 2400 to 2485 MHz with a VSWR of less than 1.5:1. Optimized radiation pattern focuses energy where it is needed while suppressing upper and lower sidelobe energy. * R-TNC Male Pigtail (N Male, N Female available on request) * VSWR < 1.5:1 * Drop ceiling grid mount (included) * 10" X 2" X 2" Regular Price: $ 79.00 Your Price: $ 54.95 You can get it at http://www.fab-corp.com Superpass has great prices too, but do they have a U.S. based office yet? __________________ <><><><><><><><><><><> Razta

01-07-2003	#9 (permalink)
James448 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Alpharetta ,GA Posts: 4	Thorn,"Yes, 10dB gain from the amp, vs. 4.5 from the antenna" So I think we've finalized on the booster being better than an antenna and sticking it in the attic will be just fine? Sounds good to me, nice and easy. Thanks for everyones help, I'll keep you posted on how it works out!

01-16-2003	#11 (permalink)
Veloslave Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bay area N. Cal. Posts: 3	I just got my booster in today 1/15/03 and it did make a pretty significant difference. Now to answer your next question SORRY, I'm so new to 802.11b that I did nothing other than get frustrated with the WAP11 performance and found the booster and bought it. I haven't actually measured out how much further I can go now but I do know I won't have to pick the Laptop up and hold it in the air for this to post __________________ Rod ><> My boss is a Jewish Carpenter and one heck of a great guy, you should meet him!

01-16-2003	#12 (permalink)
razta PTP to PTMP Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Tucson Posts: 150	Are you using a Orinoco card with your linksys AP? I would be curious to know what your -dBm is after installing the booster. Anyone check out the Linksys booster against a spectrum anaylzer? I remember when the 100mw mod was done, the linksys seemed to bleed into other channels... __________________ <><><><><><><><><><><> Razta

01-16-2003	#13 (permalink)
Veloslave Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bay area N. Cal. Posts: 3	I'm using a Symbol CF Spectrum 24 wireless networker. not know for its strong signal I guess... but it at least works for both PC and PPC in the CF form factor. If you would like I can check something for you but you might need to describe the procedure. __________________ Rod ><> My boss is a Jewish Carpenter and one heck of a great guy, you should meet him!

01-16-2003	#14 (permalink)
razta PTP to PTMP Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Tucson Posts: 150	Unfortunately, i have never used the Symbol card. =( __________________ <><><><><><><><><><><> Razta

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