External antenna with 802.11g?

I'm reading contradictory things regarding the use of external antennas
and 802.11g. Some sources have indicated that the FCC requires that
802.11g devices not be fitted with standard antenna connectors, but
some g devices appear to be. Some sources claim that a device can't
be certified as 802.11g compliant unless it also includes the antenna
to be used in that configuration, and that there are restrictions on
the gain of antennas that can be used with these devices. Other sources
don't mention this.

My questions:

Can someone cite me chapter-and-verse that lists any 802.11g antenna
restrictions?

There are a lot of books which have good information about 802.11a and
802.11b protocols and operations, but are there any that provide details
on 802.11g?

Any authoritative answers would be appriciated.


--
Nick Christenson
(E-Mail Removed)

Nick Christenson wrote:
> I'm reading contradictory things regarding the use of external antennas
> and 802.11g. Some sources have indicated that the FCC requires that
> 802.11g devices not be fitted with standard antenna connectors, but
> some g devices appear to be.

As far as I know, there are NO WiFi devices which come with ANY standard
antenna connectors! If you wish to USE any of these devices with more
efficient antennae, you will find yourself obligated to purchase or
construct adapting "pigtails" in order to connect your device to any
standard antenna system. All of these devices use specialized,
miniaturized antenna connections, of a variety of specs, all for
specialized WiFi use.

> Some sources claim that a device can't
> be certified as 802.11g compliant unless it also includes the antenna
> to be used in that configuration, and that there are restrictions on
> the gain of antennas that can be used with these devices. Other sources
> don't mention this.

This is correct. In order to obtain FCC certification for their
devices, manufacturers MUST provide the antenna system with the device
and these combos are EIRP-limited, and must remain under the
FCC-mandated limit.

However, there is not much limitting YOU on how you configure and use
your system, if you think that the FCC is not going to come knocking at
your door. Remember that these systems are like cordless phones: they
are unlicensed products and MUST accept any and all interference in the
spectrum, even if it means that the interference renders your device
useless any or part of the time. In other words, you give up some
potential guarantee of performance for the "luxury" of useing unlicensed
kit.

>
> My questions:
>
> Can someone cite me chapter-and-verse that lists any 802.11g antenna
> restrictions?

The FCC site lists the regulations regarding EIRP levels for these
devices. If you're a well versed engineer, the data will make sense to
you. Otherwise, good luck!

>
> There are a lot of books which have good information about 802.11a and
> 802.11b protocols and operations, but are there any that provide details
> on 802.11g?
>
> Any authoritative answers would be appriciated.

Like anything else you read in Usenet, you can take this
"authoritatively", and with a grain of salt.....;>)

Nick Christenson wrote:

>
> Any authoritative answers would be appriciated.
>
>

http://www.seattlewireless.net/index.cgi/FccRegulations

> As far as I know, there are NO WiFi devices which come with ANY standard
> antenna connectors! If you wish to USE any of these devices with more
> efficient antennae, you will find yourself obligated to purchase or
> construct adapting "pigtails" in order to connect your device to any
> standard antenna system. All of these devices use specialized,

You wouldn't call RP-TNC or RP-SMA standard?

When you can get them from multiple sources from stock, that pretty much
becomes standard in my mind.

David.

David Taylor wrote:

>> As far as I know, there are NO WiFi devices which come with ANY standard
>> antenna connectors! If you wish to USE any of these devices with more
>> efficient antennae, you will find yourself obligated to purchase or
>> construct adapting "pigtails" in order to connect your device to any
>> standard antenna system. All of these devices use specialized,
>
> You wouldn't call RP-TNC or RP-SMA standard?
>
> When you can get them from multiple sources from stock, that pretty much
> becomes standard in my mind.
>
> David.

As I recall, they weren't supposed to be so easy to get. The intent was to
make it difficult for someone to attach an unauthorized antenna to WiFi
equipment.

--

Fundamentalism is fundamentally wrong.

To reply to this message, replace everything to the left of "@" with
james.knott.

> As I recall, they weren't supposed to be so easy to get. The intent was to
> make it difficult for someone to attach an unauthorized antenna to WiFi
> equipment.

Yep but now they are easy to get, they become pretty standard items!

David Taylor wrote:
>>As I recall, they weren't supposed to be so easy to get. The intent was to
>>make it difficult for someone to attach an unauthorized antenna to WiFi
>>equipment.
>
>
> Yep but now they are easy to get, they become pretty standard items!

Easy to get? In my community, I can get TNC connectors for 59 cents. I
can get N connectors for $1.39. I can get DoubleMale N adapters for
$5.00.

But the cheapest I've found for a 6~12 specialized WiFi pigtail is 18
bucks! And I can't even purchase these in my community!!!!!

THAT'S what James and I were alluding to. And just 18 months ago, these
pigtails were extremely difficult to find.

Valent?n Guill?n <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> Easy to get? In my community, I can get TNC connectors for 59 cents. I
> can get N connectors for $1.39. I can get DoubleMale N adapters for
> $5.00.

> But the cheapest I've found for a 6~12 specialized WiFi pigtail is 18
> bucks! And I can't even purchase these in my community!!!!!

If you go to a ham radio store, the typical resource for antennas and
connectors, they will specifically not sell the "specialized" wifi
connectors, because they are deliberately supposed to be unique to a
receiver/antenna pair.


--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8-122.5

> But the cheapest I've found for a 6~12 specialized WiFi pigtail is 18
> bucks! And I can't even purchase these in my community!!!!!

What's specialised? Just buy RP-TNC connectors, a crimp tool and make
them up.

Besides, don't confuse "easy to get" with price! Can you obtain them
easily, YES, do you like the price NO. Not the same thing.

> THAT'S what James and I were alluding to. And just 18 months ago, these
> pigtails were extremely difficult to find.

18 months ago I couldn't get a 3GHz processor either.

David.