When your setting up a wireless network for maximum range, the wifi antenna cable becomes very important. This is because most of the time your access point or other wireless device will be located inside the building but the antenna must be mounted outside where it is providing maximum coverage and free from obstructions.
A good way is to set up your equipment up as close to where your antenna will be mounted as possible. In some cases it is preferable to mount the device in a weatherproof enclosure with the antenna or in the ceiling space just below the antenna. This configuration is optimal as it minimizes cable losses.
Where your cable length can be kept at reasonable length (around 10m/30ft or less for LMR-400), it may be easier to run a low loss coaxial cable. These cables generally have an ‘N connector at each end. You will just need to make sure of the gender of the N connector on your antenna and the N connector on your pigtail to select a suitable cable. Most wireless devices have a very small connector and a pigtail is required to convert from this connector to an N type.
pigtail adapter to connect your wireless device to the N connector on your antenna cable
Low loss antenna cable with N type connectors
It is important to keep the antenna cable as short as possible even when using very high grade cable. As you can see from the chart below, the 2.4GHz frequency degrades a lot more than lower frequencies along the cable length.
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nice. quick and to the point.
dear sir/madam
how much is the 9 dbi antenna?
tks
I bought a Wi-Fi Catcher 12dbi UDA Antenna for $14.00 on ebay in Dec.08 and have had no problems with it at all.I have even dropped it a few times and it works fine.Getting wireless from about two miles down the road from a Meat Packing Company un-secured router.Pulls in four bars on my laptop,Two with out the antenna.
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Another good source is Wi-Fi Catcher Antennas, http://www.wificatcher.com they sell cheap and very effective long range antennas.I use a Wi-Fi catcher Biquad antenna and can pick up three free wi-fi hot spots and at leat six neighbors routers just from my apartment.
i want to know that wat kind of cable should i use to extend he wifi antenna . presently i m using using rg 6 cable of length 20mts but the signal is too low .plz suggest me a cable which has the least resistance …….should i go for rg174 …..plz reply me …….thanx
I would use LMR400 or CNT400. There are better cables than this but unless you need to use a long run, they should be fine.
Very, very nice and good info thanx.
I Just ordered a 24 dbi grid antenna. I am planning to run it like this. From 24dbi grid (N-female) – 25' (MAYBE 50') low loss 600 cable (N-Male to N-Female) – lightning surpressor – N-Male to Rp sma pigtail 1' – Alfa 1 – 33' ACTIVE USB – my pc., I havent ordered the Low Loss 600 cable yet. I dont know how much i need yet. I may not need any. I'll let you know how it works. this should be awsome.
Also I am currently using the ALFA 500 with a Bi-Quad antenna on a 3' pig tail (N – rpsma). I have almost NOBODY around me so its HARD to get a signal. the Bi-quad is DUCT TAPED to my window. I get 1 signal and its low about 50 streanth and 50 link quality. This is UNACCEPTABLE. In my BEDROOM I run an alfa 1 with a bi-Quad running OUTSIDE the window and I get 5 unencrypted signals. Though only 1 is REALLY good at 62 65. and one that is ENCRYPTED but the password is 12345678 (haha stupid) that one gets about 78 80. I am going to run 33' of active usb to get the bi-quad OUT IN THE YARD. this should improve things a LOT.
I almost forgot to add . I will be using an OUTDOOR ENCLOSURE for my ALFA so I can get it OUT in the yard. This will probably quaddruple my signal streanth.