Amplify Linksys BEFW11S4 signal

Jochen Witte wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I would like to amplify the signal of my Linksys BEFW11S4 AP. I bought a
> Linksys WAP11, but unfortunately the firmware on the device does not
> support repeater mode and an upgrade seems to be impossible. My question:
> what are my options? Can I assume, repeaters of other companies are
> compatible? Is there another (cheap ) way to amplify the signal? Or
> does anybody know the "definite way to upgrade the WAP11 firmware" --
> besides the ones described on the various "hack-sides"?
>
> Regards
> Jochen
Buy a high-gain antenna and screw it onto the left/right antenna
instead. (Hawkings)
Wim

Hello,

I would like to amplify the signal of my Linksys BEFW11S4 AP. I bought a
Linksys WAP11, but unfortunately the firmware on the device does not
support repeater mode and an upgrade seems to be impossible. My question:
what are my options? Can I assume, repeaters of other companies are
compatible? Is there another (cheap ) way to amplify the signal? Or
does anybody know the "definite way to upgrade the WAP11 firmware" --
besides the ones described on the various "hack-sides"?

Regards
Jochen

On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 14:04:31 +0200, Jochen Witte
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I would like to amplify the signal of my Linksys BEFW11S4 AP. I bought a
>Linksys WAP11, but unfortunately the firmware on the device does not
>support repeater mode and an upgrade seems to be impossible. My question:
>what are my options? Can I assume, repeaters of other companies are
>compatible? Is there another (cheap ) way to amplify the signal? Or
>does anybody know the "definite way to upgrade the WAP11 firmware" --
>besides the ones described on the various "hack-sides"?

It's always helpful if you disclose what you are trying to accomplish.
Greater point to point range? Larger coverage area? Also,
describing what you have to work with (hardware, location, distance,
obstructions, topology, antennas, finances, etc) is helpful. Anyways,
permit me to try and discourage you from implimenting a repeater type
system.

A repeater does not "amplify" the signal. See:
http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/amplifiers_2400.php
for amplifiers. Be careful that you don't exceed the legal power
limit (+36dBi EIRP).

I consider repeaters to be a generally bad solution. See:
http://www.google.com/groups?hl=en&l...dmtn%404ax.com
for an example of one problem where a repeater would be a lousy
solution.

At best, repeaters cut your data thruput in half. This is not a
problem if you have a good signal path on both sides of the repeater,
and your bandwidth requirements are easily exceeded by the speed of
the wireless. However, this is not often the case as repeaters tend
to be deployed to solve marginal RF path problems and therefore must
work with generally crappy signals. Of course, your situation may be
different.

I would humbly suggest you investigate various antenna solutions
instead. The improvement in performance offered by antenna gain and
better antenna location, is often much more than could be achieved
with an expensive power amp. Antennas are also usually the cheapest
hardware solution. Unfortunately, I can't offer any specific advice
as I don't know the site and range specifics.

As for hacking the WAP11, only V2.2 and V2.8 have the repeater mode.
The earlier versions do not. As the other WAP11 mutations are
radically different internal hardware, tranplanting firmware will not
work. As you just bought this unit (presumeably new), it should be
one of the lastest hardware versions and already have a repeater mode.

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

Try this:
http://www.rflinx.com/Amplifiers/2.4...APX_Series.htm

"Jeff Liebermann" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 14:04:31 +0200, Jochen Witte
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> >I would like to amplify the signal of my Linksys BEFW11S4 AP. I bought a
> >Linksys WAP11, but unfortunately the firmware on the device does not
> >support repeater mode and an upgrade seems to be impossible. My question:
> >what are my options? Can I assume, repeaters of other companies are
> >compatible? Is there another (cheap ) way to amplify the signal? Or
> >does anybody know the "definite way to upgrade the WAP11 firmware" --
> >besides the ones described on the various "hack-sides"?
>
> It's always helpful if you disclose what you are trying to accomplish.
> Greater point to point range? Larger coverage area? Also,
> describing what you have to work with (hardware, location, distance,
> obstructions, topology, antennas, finances, etc) is helpful. Anyways,
> permit me to try and discourage you from implimenting a repeater type
> system.
>
> A repeater does not "amplify" the signal. See:
> http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/amplifiers_2400.php
> for amplifiers. Be careful that you don't exceed the legal power
> limit (+36dBi EIRP).
>
> I consider repeaters to be a generally bad solution. See:
>
http://www.google.com/groups?hl=en&l...dmtn%404ax.com
> for an example of one problem where a repeater would be a lousy
> solution.
>
> At best, repeaters cut your data thruput in half. This is not a
> problem if you have a good signal path on both sides of the repeater,
> and your bandwidth requirements are easily exceeded by the speed of
> the wireless. However, this is not often the case as repeaters tend
> to be deployed to solve marginal RF path problems and therefore must
> work with generally crappy signals. Of course, your situation may be
> different.
>
> I would humbly suggest you investigate various antenna solutions
> instead. The improvement in performance offered by antenna gain and
> better antenna location, is often much more than could be achieved
> with an expensive power amp. Antennas are also usually the cheapest
> hardware solution. Unfortunately, I can't offer any specific advice
> as I don't know the site and range specifics.
>
> As for hacking the WAP11, only V2.2 and V2.8 have the repeater mode.
> The earlier versions do not. As the other WAP11 mutations are
> radically different internal hardware, tranplanting firmware will not
> work. As you just bought this unit (presumeably new), it should be
> one of the lastest hardware versions and already have a repeater mode.
>
> --
> Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
> 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
> Santa Cruz CA 95060 AE6KS 831-336-2558

On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 13:18:01 -0400, "John" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Try this:
>http://www.rflinx.com/Amplifiers/2.4...APX_Series.htm

Not good. Fixed gain, no AGC, not enough gain. In the 802.11b only
mode, it has +12dB of gain and +29dBm out RF output. That means that
the input signal must be +17dBm to get full output. Most cheapo
access points actually put out about +14dBm (my measurements) and not
the specified +15 to +17dBm quoted in the data sheets. However, let's
be optimistic and assume that the access point belches +17dBm. So,
how much loss is allowed between the access point and the amplifier?
Zero. Any connector or cable loss will directly subtract from the
output power. If you plug the amp directly into the output of the
access point, it might work, but any connectors (-0.5dB per pair) or
coax (0.7dB/ft LMR-400) will directly subtract from the output power.

If that's the style of amplification you want, try some amplified
antennas.
http://www.tomsnetworking.com/Review...odID-BA24J.php
http://www.renasis.com/products/BA24j.pdf
I've never tried this product and am rather skeptical.


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

The amp is cool, but is it legal?
LT
---------

"John" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:0VMTc.9834$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Try this:
> http://www.rflinx.com/Amplifiers/2.4...APX_Series.htm
>
> "Jeff Liebermann" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 14:04:31 +0200, Jochen Witte
> > <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >
> > >I would like to amplify the signal of my Linksys BEFW11S4 AP. I bought
a
> > >Linksys WAP11, but unfortunately the firmware on the device does not
> > >support repeater mode and an upgrade seems to be impossible. My
question:
> > >what are my options? Can I assume, repeaters of other companies are
> > >compatible? Is there another (cheap ) way to amplify the signal? Or
> > >does anybody know the "definite way to upgrade the WAP11 firmware" --
> > >besides the ones described on the various "hack-sides"?
> >
> > It's always helpful if you disclose what you are trying to accomplish.
> > Greater point to point range? Larger coverage area? Also,
> > describing what you have to work with (hardware, location, distance,
> > obstructions, topology, antennas, finances, etc) is helpful. Anyways,
> > permit me to try and discourage you from implimenting a repeater type
> > system.
> >
> > A repeater does not "amplify" the signal. See:
> > http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/amplifiers_2400.php
> > for amplifiers. Be careful that you don't exceed the legal power
> > limit (+36dBi EIRP).
> >
> > I consider repeaters to be a generally bad solution. See:
> >
>
http://www.google.com/groups?hl=en&l...dmtn%404ax.com
> > for an example of one problem where a repeater would be a lousy
> > solution.
> >
> > At best, repeaters cut your data thruput in half. This is not a
> > problem if you have a good signal path on both sides of the repeater,
> > and your bandwidth requirements are easily exceeded by the speed of
> > the wireless. However, this is not often the case as repeaters tend
> > to be deployed to solve marginal RF path problems and therefore must
> > work with generally crappy signals. Of course, your situation may be
> > different.
> >
> > I would humbly suggest you investigate various antenna solutions
> > instead. The improvement in performance offered by antenna gain and
> > better antenna location, is often much more than could be achieved
> > with an expensive power amp. Antennas are also usually the cheapest
> > hardware solution. Unfortunately, I can't offer any specific advice
> > as I don't know the site and range specifics.
> >
> > As for hacking the WAP11, only V2.2 and V2.8 have the repeater mode.
> > The earlier versions do not. As the other WAP11 mutations are
> > radically different internal hardware, tranplanting firmware will not
> > work. As you just bought this unit (presumeably new), it should be
> > one of the lastest hardware versions and already have a repeater mode.
> >
> > --
> > Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
> > 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
> > Santa Cruz CA 95060 AE6KS 831-336-2558
>
>

On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 18:34:04 GMT, "LT" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>The amp is cool, but is it legal?
>LT

http://www.rflinx.com/Amplifiers/2.4...APX_Series.htm

Strictly speaking *NONE* of these add ons are totally "legal" unless
type certified as a system under 15.247. That means the access point,
cables, amplifier, and antenna are suppose to be blessed by the FCC as
a system, and only sold as a system. Obviously, that's not being done
or enforced. So, a good backfall is to not do anything that would
belch garbage or exceed the xmit power limit.

The amplfier only puts out 800mw, so it's under the 1watt absolute max
tx power limit. At 800mw, the maximum omni antenna gain is +7dBi, so
the supplied 5.5dBi omni antenna is legal. I can't tell if it has an
FCC certification and am too lazy to look it up on the FCCID web
search page. I'll assume that since it's being offered for sale, it
must have passed Part 15 certification.

Yeah, methinks it's legal.


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