Mailing List os2-wireless_users@2rosenthals.com Archived Message #6530

From:	"Lewis G Rosenthal" <os2-wireless_users@2rosenthals.com>	Full Headers Undecoded message
Subject:	Re: [OS2Wireless] Booster Antenna
Date:	Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:33:54 -0500
To:	OS/2 Wireless Users Mailing List <os2-wireless_users@2rosenthals.com>

Hi, Jordan... On 02/03/10 09:28 pm, J R FOX thus wrote : Hi Lewis, Would you have any comments about the usefulness of add-on omnidirectional, high-gain booster antennas ? Hawking, for example, sells a few models of these. (I wouldn't even look around for something like that unless it turns out that I run into signal strength issues re certain locations.) I'm thinking such a question would be OS-neutral. Indeed, it is OS-neutral. Chuck's setup is a bit different from what you propose. In his case, he is using a directional antenna to "beam" signal to a remote link. In your case, you are thinking of increasing your signal dispersion (saturation) omnidirectionally, if I read your words correctly, and knowing what I do of your new setup. You have four ways to boost signal if your devices have trouble holding onto it, before adding a second unit (which I just did recently for someone with a "dead spot" in his house): 1. Increase output wattage at the transceiver. This is not usually desirable, as it tends to overheat these little units. Also, finding the right mix can be difficult, and just shouting more loudly may not get you the results you want (increased output also means increased noise). 2. Move the AP to a better location, where you get good signal in more places where you are likely to use it. 3. Use a passive reflector to help "bounce" signal back into your desired space which might otherwise be lost (or leaked). 4. Use higher gain antennas (or antennae, depending upon whose English you might prefer) to better distribute the available output form the device. Any or all of the above may be used to solve particular problems. You won't know if/what/where you have any until you start it up and start wandering around with a wireless device (or connect a wireless device in another room). You may be able to get good signal to this first device, but upon connecting the next, find that your "optimum" placement is across the room. That's when the above come into play. So, to more succinctly answer your question, yes, high gain omni antennas are good - where you need them. In confined spaces, or spaces which need more shaping, you may just find that they spread out too far. IAC, the *first* wireless connection that is going to be set up here will be when they do the install for DirecTV tomorrow. Their guy that I spoke with at length in advance of this claimed that their wireless connection would _not_ place too high a drain on the bandwidth from the router, slowing down my normal cable internet appreciably. I'm hoping that wasn't a big fib ! They use this wireless connection to push their system updates, programming grid, and VOD out to us. I'm wondering how much data they push/pull for VOD. Surely the programming grid is negligible. Mine (cable) updates every night for a few minutes, but it's dog slow (likely because of the poor quality - read: low bandwidth - of the tuner's CPU). Jordan [Unrelated P.S.: Our local electric utility is beginning an area-wide campaign of installing "smart meters." They provide 24 / 7 data to the utility, with supposed potential energy savings. (For them, not for you.) This changeover cuts your power for several minutes, and then when it comes back on there is quite a big surge. They tell you to unplug everything beforehand, but haven't been giving good advance notice for the timing of this at one's particular house or block. There have been local news stories about people having plasma TVs and other appliances burned out by this ! When they tried to file a claim, they were offered a real joke, by way of recompense. This work is subcontracted out to a third-party vendor which is very hard to contact, and disclaims any responsibility. BEWARE, in case this plan is Coming Soon to a power utility in your area !] Yes, I've heard horror stories of these things. Unfortunately, without good a arrestor, anything connected to the bus is a potential casualty. Good warning for all to heed. ;-) Thanks! -- Lewis ------------------------------------------------------------- Lewis G Rosenthal, CNA, CLP, CLE Rosenthal & Rosenthal, LLC www.2rosenthals.com Need a managed Wi-Fi hotspot? www.hautspot.com visit my IT blog www.2rosenthals.net/wordpress -------------------------------------------------------------

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