2.4Ghz ampliier increase signal strength?

I'm a wireless novice, and I'd like to increase my 802.11 wireless
signal strength and range. In particular, I want greater strength
through walls. I understand that antennas focus signals, not
strengthen them. I see a lot of 2.4Ghz signal amplifiers for sale. If
I purchase one of these and hook it up to my antenna will this increase
range and strength? Or do I mis understand the technology?

On 30 Dec 2005 11:33:06 -0800, "Zycor" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I'm a wireless novice, and I'd like to increase my 802.11 wireless
>signal strength and range. In particular, I want greater strength
>through walls. I understand that antennas focus signals, not
>strengthen them.

If you get more of the sending or receiving signal to your wireless
cards then an antenna is doing the job of an amplifier ... without
spreading more or your signal around the neighborhood.

Compare an ordinary light bulb in just a socket with a spot lamp of
the same wattage and you'll get the idea.


> I see a lot of 2.4Ghz signal amplifiers for sale. If
>I purchase one of these and hook it up to my antenna will this increase
>range and strength? Or do I mis understand the technology?

On 30 Dec 2005 11:33:06 -0800, "Zycor" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I'm a wireless novice, and I'd like to increase my 802.11 wireless
>signal strength and range. In particular, I want greater strength
>through walls.

How many walls? What type of walls? If it's drywall or wood, you
have a chance. If it's concrete, steel, aluminium, or foil backed
insulation, forget it.

>I understand that antennas focus signals, not
>strengthen them.

Correct. Antennas do not generate any RF. The merely redirect it.

>I see a lot of 2.4Ghz signal amplifiers for sale.

Many are totally illegal. Look for the FCC type certification (if in
the USA).

>If
>I purchase one of these and hook it up to my antenna will this increase
>range and strength? Or do I mis understand the technology?

Have you looked at the prices for these amplifiers? Even the cheapest
is $100 plus.

Antennas improve the signal strengh in both directions. Amplifiers
only boost the signal in one direction. In the reverse direction,
you're limited by the transmit power of the non-amplified device. This
lack of symmetry results in the range being limited by the weakest
transmitter. The receive RF amplifier in the power amp does little
except eliminate any coaxial cable losses.

Suggestion: If you're trying to get answers from newsgroups and
mailing lists, kindly supply:
1. What are you trying to accomplish?
2. What do you have to work with? (Existing hardware and RF
environment).
3. What have you tried and what happened? (Not applicable in this
case, but very useful for techy problems).

My guess(tm) is that you're trying to improve the coverage to parts of
the house. Going through walls is not a great idea. One wall is
usually no problem. Two is somewhat difficult. Three or more is
possible but difficult to maintain a reliable connection.

The easist and simplest antenna is a reflector behind your existing
wireless router or access point. See:
http://www.freeantannas.com
These work well and are really cheap.

If you're able to run CAT5 to some place near the area you want to
cover, a 2nd access point will work.

If you can't run CAT5, it may be possible to use a WDS (wireless
distribution something) repeater if your existing unspecified hardware
supports WDS.

If you can't run CAT5 and don't want to deal with repeaters, it's
possible to build a repeater/bridge using power lines as a backhaul.
See:
http://www.netgear.com/products/details/WGXB102.php

--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558 (E-Mail Removed)
# http://802.11junk.com (E-Mail Removed)
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS

In article <(E-Mail Removed) .com>, "Zycor" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>I'm a wireless novice, and I'd like to increase my 802.11 wireless
>signal strength and range. In particular, I want greater strength
>through walls. I understand that antennas focus signals, not
>strengthen them. I see a lot of 2.4Ghz signal amplifiers for sale. If
>I purchase one of these and hook it up to my antenna will this increase
>range and strength? Or do I mis understand the technology?
>

Better to go with Antenna approach and when you stop and think about it you
can understand why. Let's say you can boost your AP output to 10 Watts (way
illegal etc, just supposing here) so you get a good range boost and great
signal out to your wireless computer. Question have you improved the link
from the laptop back to the AP? If not then what have you gained? Remember
your network is a two way converstation, both sides need to be able to hear
each other clearly. The chain is only as strong as the wealest link, to
toss in a cliche.
The reason improved antennas help is they boost not only output in a
fashion, but they also improve 'hearing'. If the Laptop can 'hear' the AP,
but the AP can't 'hear' the Laptop, you are out of business, no connection
etc.

Before even working on the antenna, try literally moving the AP a few
inches in some direction, same with the laptop if you can. You would be
amazed at what can happen with this kind of tweak in your house. 2.4GHz
really won't go through a solid wall, what happens is the signal finds a
crack(s) or hole in the wall or bounces off various walls/objects in the
house until it hits the antenna on the laptop (if it makes it that far
before dissipating). By moving things around you might improve the path to
the wall crack or reduce the number of bounces off walls and such. May not
work, but that is the cheapest and easiest approach and the one I recommend
strongly as a first resort.

Others here like Jeff Lieberman can give you good info on antennas and
other things to try, but pass on the amplifier, it looks good at first
glance, but when you really think about what has to happen you can see it
is really no solution at all.

fundamentalism, fundamentally wrong.

(E-Mail Removed) (Rico) hath wroth:

>Let's say you can boost your AP output to 10 Watts (way
>illegal etc, just supposing here)

How about 25 watts?

http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/24g...amplifiers.php
For military, government, and export only. Yeah, sure.

Maybe 50 watts?
http://www.ssbusa.com/wl240050.html

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, Jeff Liebermann <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>(E-Mail Removed) (Rico) hath wroth:
>
>>Let's say you can boost your AP output to 10 Watts (way
>>illegal etc, just supposing here)
>
>How about 25 watts?
>
>http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/24g...amplifiers.php
>For military, government, and export only. Yeah, sure.
>
>Maybe 50 watts?
> http://www.ssbusa.com/wl240050.html
>

Isn't the legal limit (for mere mortals, not government gods) under a watt
for 2.4GHz unlicensed?

As to 25 or 50 watts, what does that much power do to your cells and such
when the antennta is in the house with you (normal stick built US house,
2500 sq ft)? I can see this sort of thing as being shall we say a bit
damaging over time... Sort of like living in a microwave oven on low power
setting.
<wink>
BTW I noticed the first link has a 10 Watter (HA2410GTI), so I'm covered.
Just slightly well done. </wink>

fundamentalism, fundamentally wrong.

(E-Mail Removed) (Rico) hath wroth:

>In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, Jeff Liebermann <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>(E-Mail Removed) (Rico) hath wroth:
>>
>>>Let's say you can boost your AP output to 10 Watts (way
>>>illegal etc, just supposing here)
>>
>>How about 25 watts?
>>
>>http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/24g...amplifiers.php
>>For military, government, and export only. Yeah, sure.
>>
>>Maybe 50 watts?
>> http://www.ssbusa.com/wl240050.html
>>

>Isn't the legal limit (for mere mortals, not government gods) under a watt
>for 2.4GHz unlicensed?

Sorta. It's 1 watt maximum into a 6dBi omni antenna for point to
multipoint systems. It's a bit more complicated for point to point.

>As to 25 or 50 watts, what does that much power do to your cells and such
>when the antennta is in the house with you (normal stick built US house,
>2500 sq ft)?

Turn your brain and wallet to mush. Not a great idea.
Grinding the numbers:
http://n5xu.ae.utexas.edu/rfsafety/
50 watts, 2400 MHz, 8dBi antenna, 10ft radius, no reflections,
uncontrolled environment. You're "safe" to about 5.3ft radius.

Hmmm... pointing it at the neighbors barking dog might prove useful.

>I can see this sort of thing as being shall we say a bit
>damaging over time... Sort of like living in a microwave oven on low power
>setting.

Sacrifices must be made in the name of wireless connectivity. Human
sacrifice might be a bit extreme, but still acceptable if cooked
sufficiently slowly.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, Jeff Liebermann <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>(E-Mail Removed) (Rico) hath wroth:
>
>>In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, Jeff Liebermann
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>>(E-Mail Removed) (Rico) hath wroth:
>>>
>>>>Let's say you can boost your AP output to 10 Watts (way
>>>>illegal etc, just supposing here)
>>>
>>>How about 25 watts?
>>>
>>>http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/24g...amplifiers.php
>>>For military, government, and export only. Yeah, sure.
>>>
>>>Maybe 50 watts?
>>> http://www.ssbusa.com/wl240050.html
>>>
>
>>Isn't the legal limit (for mere mortals, not government gods) under a watt
>>for 2.4GHz unlicensed?
>
>Sorta. It's 1 watt maximum into a 6dBi omni antenna for point to
>multipoint systems. It's a bit more complicated for point to point.
>
>>As to 25 or 50 watts, what does that much power do to your cells and such
>>when the antennta is in the house with you (normal stick built US house,
>>2500 sq ft)?
>
>Turn your brain and wallet to mush. Not a great idea.
>Grinding the numbers:
> http://n5xu.ae.utexas.edu/rfsafety/
>50 watts, 2400 MHz, 8dBi antenna, 10ft radius, no reflections,
>uncontrolled environment. You're "safe" to about 5.3ft radius.
>
>Hmmm... pointing it at the neighbors barking dog might prove useful.
>
>>I can see this sort of thing as being shall we say a bit
>>damaging over time... Sort of like living in a microwave oven on low power
>>setting.
>
>Sacrifices must be made in the name of wireless connectivity. Human
>sacrifice might be a bit extreme, but still acceptable if cooked
>sufficiently slowly.
>

Hmm, maybe we shoudl start a new urban legend (get ourselves a link on
Snopes) instead of the poodle in a micorwave oven, a poodle's bed next to a
50 Watt Wireless AP.
Question is, do we say the dog explodes or just roasts?

fundamentalism, fundamentally wrong.