Alfa AWUS036h power question

While searching for an Alfa AWUS036h I see a 500mW and a 1000mW output.
It seems a different power level would be a different model number.
I do note that the 500mW unit has a 2db gain antenna and the 1000mW unit
has a 5 db gain antenna.
This makes me think the two adapters are the same.
I don't use the standard antenna, so if they are the same I'd just as soon
purchase
the cheaper one rated 500mW.
Any comments?
Mikek
500 mW
http://www.amazon.com/AWUS036H-Wirel...8567162&sr=1-1

1000mW
http://www.amazon.com/Alfa-AWUS036H-.../dp/B002WCEWU8

mute point, I just bought one. But I want to hear what others think about
the (deception?)

On 2/24/2011 12:12 PM, amdx wrote:
> While searching for an Alfa AWUS036h I see a 500mW and a 1000mW output.
> It seems a different power level would be a different model number.
> I do note that the 500mW unit has a 2db gain antenna and the 1000mW unit
> has a 5 db gain antenna.
> This makes me think the two adapters are the same.
> I don't use the standard antenna, so if they are the same I'd just as soon
> purchase
> the cheaper one rated 500mW.
> Any comments?
> Mikek
> 500 mW
> http://www.amazon.com/AWUS036H-Wirel...8567162&sr=1-1
>
> 1000mW
> http://www.amazon.com/Alfa-AWUS036H-.../dp/B002WCEWU8
>
> mute point, I just bought one. But I want to hear what others think about
> the (deception?)
>
>
They are apparently the same basic unit with different
antennas. The outputs claimed are confusing, but are in fact
the effective radiated power.

amdx wrote:

> While searching for an Alfa AWUS036h I see a 500mW and a 1000mW
> output. It seems a different power level would be a different model
> number. I do note that the 500mW unit has a 2db gain antenna and the
> 1000mW unit has a 5 db gain antenna.
> This makes me think the two adapters are the same.
> I don't use the standard antenna, so if they are the same I'd just as
> soon purchase the cheaper one rated 500mW.
> Any comments?
> Mikek
> 500 mW
> http://www.amazon.com/AWUS036H-Wirel...Antenna/dp/B00
> 0QYGNKQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1298567162&sr =1-1
>
> 1000mW
> http://www.amazon.com/Alfa-AWUS036H-...work/dp/B002WC
> EWU8
>
> mute point, I just bought one. But I want to hear what others think
> about the (deception?)

They are just another Realtek 8187L chipset adapter.

See here.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ALFA-AWUS036H...s-G-USB-WiFi-A
dapter-/120688915555?pt=AU_Networking&hash=item1c199eb463

They are no better or worse than any other 8187L chipset.

Even though this chipset is the best available in 54G (in my
estimation), in the real world the quoted output figures in the
advertisements are laughable and bend the truth beyond belief.

But that chipset does makes for a great adapter and I've used them for
years with excellent results.

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