My external-antenna experiment on a Linksys wap/router failed!

Over the last several weeks, I acquired some newer wireless
equipment, so that I could conduct an experiment using an
EXTERNAL antenna. The results were NOT what I
expected. Here's the gory details:

I acquired a new Linksys BEFW11S4-V4, and loaded the
latest firmware into it (firmware v 1.45.7 ). I also acquired
a 10-foot LMR-195 connecting cable and a HyperGain 10-dBi
Omni Antenna.

For a client PC, I used a Win-XP-based laptop, with an
Orinoco Gold PCMCIA adaptor. For testing signal strength,
I ran a copy of v 0.30 of Netstumbler on this laptop.

I carried the laptop a few rooms away from the room with
the Linksys router and cable-modem in it. I first left the
Linksys with its 2 little builtin antennas on it, and using
Netstumbler, I measured the signal strength so I would
have a baseline value before I connected the EXTERNAL
antenna.

I then unscrewed one of the builtin antennas and attached the
external antenna onto that port. Using the management HTML-UI
for the Linksys router, I went into the 'wireless' subsection of
the setup parameters. There are FOUR different 'antenna diversity'
settings: (1) default (2) right-spread-on (3) left-spread-on (4)
diversity-spread-on

Not knowing whether 'right' and 'left' meant as viewed from the FRONT
or REAR of the Linksys-box, I simply set and applied each of the 4
different diversity settings one-at-a-time, and then took a new
signal strength measurement for each one. (I figured that I could
easily conclude what the correct diversity setting would be
by simple trial-and-error.)

The results: I got NO SIGNIFICANT difference in signal strength
readings among each of the different settings. And, also NO DIFFERENCE
between any of those four and the baseline test using just the two
little builtin antennas.

Well, needless to say, those results are shocking and NOT what I expected!

(I hate to conclude that using an EXTERNAL 10-dBi omni-antenna buys you
nothing...but that's what my experimental data is saying.) Somewhere,
either
my understanding of the theory or my implementation of the experiment,
something does not compute!

So, the obvious questions: Has anyone else ever tried this?
What might have gone wrong? Are my expectations that such
an external antenna OUGHT to make a difference correct?

TIA...

Dave

David Cook wrote:
> Over the last several weeks, I acquired some newer wireless
> equipment, so that I could conduct an experiment using an
> EXTERNAL antenna. The results were NOT what I
> expected. Here's the gory details:
>
> I acquired a new Linksys BEFW11S4-V4, and loaded the
> latest firmware into it (firmware v 1.45.7 ). I also acquired
> a 10-foot LMR-195 connecting cable and a HyperGain 10-dBi
> Omni Antenna.
>
> For a client PC, I used a Win-XP-based laptop, with an
> Orinoco Gold PCMCIA adaptor. For testing signal strength,
> I ran a copy of v 0.30 of Netstumbler on this laptop.
>
> I carried the laptop a few rooms away from the room with
> the Linksys router and cable-modem in it. I first left the
> Linksys with its 2 little builtin antennas on it, and using
> Netstumbler, I measured the signal strength so I would
> have a baseline value before I connected the EXTERNAL
> antenna.
>
> I then unscrewed one of the builtin antennas and attached the
> external antenna onto that port. Using the management HTML-UI
> for the Linksys router, I went into the 'wireless' subsection of
> the setup parameters. There are FOUR different 'antenna diversity'
> settings: (1) default (2) right-spread-on (3) left-spread-on (4)
> diversity-spread-on
>
> Not knowing whether 'right' and 'left' meant as viewed from the FRONT
> or REAR of the Linksys-box, I simply set and applied each of the 4
> different diversity settings one-at-a-time, and then took a new
> signal strength measurement for each one. (I figured that I could
> easily conclude what the correct diversity setting would be
> by simple trial-and-error.)
>
> The results: I got NO SIGNIFICANT difference in signal strength
> readings among each of the different settings. And, also NO
> DIFFERENCE between any of those four and the baseline test using just
> the two
> little builtin antennas.
>
> Well, needless to say, those results are shocking and NOT what I
> expected!
>
> (I hate to conclude that using an EXTERNAL 10-dBi omni-antenna buys
> you nothing...but that's what my experimental data is saying.)
> Somewhere, either
> my understanding of the theory or my implementation of the experiment,
> something does not compute!
>
> So, the obvious questions: Has anyone else ever tried this?
> What might have gone wrong? Are my expectations that such
> an external antenna OUGHT to make a difference correct?


Two things. First, 10 feet of LMR-195 will create 1.9 to 2dBi of loss. So,
your 10dBi gain antenna is now about 8dBi gain. If you also used a pigtail,
count in some more loss.

Next, I'm unfamiliar with the "diversity settings" in your linksys device,
from reading this group, I have garnered that when using an external antenna
with the Linksys, you should probably simply disconnect your remaining
antenna. The antennas switch back and forth to whichever one seems to be
receiving the strongest signal from your other devices. (or so I've read).

One thing you should realise is when you have an antenna with gain the donut
radition pattern you get from a dipole antenna starts to get flattened, this
is how you get the gain, the radiation pattern starts to look more like a
flat disc the higher in gain you go, the 'gain' of the antenna squashes the
energy emited so the radiation that was at the top and bottom is pushed
further side ways hence you get more distance BUT this means that unless you
are level with the antenna the signal you get will be weak as its passing
either over or under you, this is a very simplistic description but I hope
it helps you understand.

Dave.


"David Cook" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:WuudnX1wjNDyFD2iRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Over the last several weeks, I acquired some newer wireless
> equipment, so that I could conduct an experiment using an
> EXTERNAL antenna. The results were NOT what I
> expected. Here's the gory details:
>
> I acquired a new Linksys BEFW11S4-V4, and loaded the
> latest firmware into it (firmware v 1.45.7 ). I also acquired
> a 10-foot LMR-195 connecting cable and a HyperGain 10-dBi
> Omni Antenna.
>
> For a client PC, I used a Win-XP-based laptop, with an
> Orinoco Gold PCMCIA adaptor. For testing signal strength,
> I ran a copy of v 0.30 of Netstumbler on this laptop.
>
> I carried the laptop a few rooms away from the room with
> the Linksys router and cable-modem in it. I first left the
> Linksys with its 2 little builtin antennas on it, and using
> Netstumbler, I measured the signal strength so I would
> have a baseline value before I connected the EXTERNAL
> antenna.
>
> I then unscrewed one of the builtin antennas and attached the
> external antenna onto that port. Using the management HTML-UI
> for the Linksys router, I went into the 'wireless' subsection of
> the setup parameters. There are FOUR different 'antenna diversity'
> settings: (1) default (2) right-spread-on (3) left-spread-on (4)
> diversity-spread-on
>
> Not knowing whether 'right' and 'left' meant as viewed from the FRONT
> or REAR of the Linksys-box, I simply set and applied each of the 4
> different diversity settings one-at-a-time, and then took a new
> signal strength measurement for each one. (I figured that I could
> easily conclude what the correct diversity setting would be
> by simple trial-and-error.)
>
> The results: I got NO SIGNIFICANT difference in signal strength
> readings among each of the different settings. And, also NO DIFFERENCE
> between any of those four and the baseline test using just the two
> little builtin antennas.
>
> Well, needless to say, those results are shocking and NOT what I expected!
>
> (I hate to conclude that using an EXTERNAL 10-dBi omni-antenna buys you
> nothing...but that's what my experimental data is saying.) Somewhere,
> either
> my understanding of the theory or my implementation of the experiment,
> something does not compute!
>
> So, the obvious questions: Has anyone else ever tried this?
> What might have gone wrong? Are my expectations that such
> an external antenna OUGHT to make a difference correct?
>
> TIA...
>
> Dave
>
>

Hi David;

http://www.freeantennas.com

Have a nice day.

-m-

I've always loved those responses that provide
no explanation...just a pointer to a URL or whatever.

I've never been good at guessing. I wonder what
Michael Erskine was really trying to say.



"Michael Erskine" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) m...
> Hi David;
>
> http://www.freeantennas.com
>
> Have a nice day.
>
> -m-

My interpretation of Michael's response was something like this:

"Hi David,
I think you'll find this site to be very informative and to contain
information that may lead you to discover possible answers to your
questions.

Please visit it and return here for more detailed answers if
necessary, as I am an expert in this field and will freely give of my
time and knowledge to any and all petitioners in this forum.

In addition, you may call me at home any hour of the day or night. As
a matter of fact, you may knock on my door for a cup of hot cocoa, a
backrub, and a long heartfelt chat regarding the troubles and
tribulations of newcomers to this field of endeavor."

Well, possibly my interpretation is a bit farfetched since everyone
knows Michael is allergic to cocoa, but you get the idea. :-)

Mike


On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 07:41:21 -0500, "David Cook"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I've always loved those responses that provide
>no explanation...just a pointer to a URL or whatever.
>
>I've never been good at guessing. I wonder what
>Michael Erskine was really trying to say.
>
>
>
>"Michael Erskine" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
>> Hi David;
>>
>> http://www.freeantennas.com
>>
>> Have a nice day.
>>
>> -m-
>

Mike Patterson
Please remove the spamtrap to email me.

The questions isn't "are there weapons of mass destruction?",
the question is "who has them now?"

http://www.strategypage.com/iraqwar/...ny/default.asp
http://www.strategypage.com/iraqwar/iraqweaponsgap.asp

Good one, Mike. ;-)

(Of course, it goes without saying that almost everyone who replies
to newsgroup postings are experts in that field, right? ;^) )



"Mike Patterson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> My interpretation of Michael's response was something like this:
>
> "Hi David,
> I think you'll find this site to be very informative and to contain
> information that may lead you to discover possible answers to your
> questions.
>
> Please visit it and return here for more detailed answers if
> necessary, as I am an expert in this field and will freely give of my
> time and knowledge to any and all petitioners in this forum.
>
> In addition, you may call me at home any hour of the day or night. As
> a matter of fact, you may knock on my door for a cup of hot cocoa, a
> backrub, and a long heartfelt chat regarding the troubles and
> tribulations of newcomers to this field of endeavor."
>
> Well, possibly my interpretation is a bit farfetched since everyone
> knows Michael is allergic to cocoa, but you get the idea. :-)
>
> Mike
>
>
> On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 07:41:21 -0500, "David Cook"
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> >I've always loved those responses that provide
> >no explanation...just a pointer to a URL or whatever.
> >
> >I've never been good at guessing. I wonder what
> >Michael Erskine was really trying to say.
> >
> >
> >
> >"Michael Erskine" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> >> Hi David;
> >>
> >> http://www.freeantennas.com
> >>
> >> Have a nice day.
> >>
> >> -m-
> >
>
> Mike Patterson
> Please remove the spamtrap to email me.
>
> The questions isn't "are there weapons of mass destruction?",
> the question is "who has them now?"
>
> http://www.strategypage.com/iraqwar/...ny/default.asp
> http://www.strategypage.com/iraqwar/iraqweaponsgap.asp

"David Cook" <(who knows?)> wrote in message news:<PIadnTeJ9KhbOT-iRVn-(E-Mail Removed)>...
> Good one, Mike. ;-)
>
> (Of course, it goes without saying that almost everyone who replies
> to newsgroup postings are experts in that field, right? ;^) )
>
>
>
> "Mike Patterson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > My interpretation of Michael's response was something like this:
> >
> > "Hi David,
> > I think you'll find this site to be very informative and to contain
> > information that may lead you to discover possible answers to your
> > questions.
> >
> > Please visit it and return here for more detailed answers if
> > necessary, as I am an expert in this field and will freely give of my
> > time and knowledge to any and all petitioners in this forum.
> >
> > In addition, you may call me at home any hour of the day or night. As
> > a matter of fact, you may knock on my door for a cup of hot cocoa, a
> > backrub, and a long heartfelt chat regarding the troubles and
> > tribulations of newcomers to this field of endeavor."
> >
> > Well, possibly my interpretation is a bit farfetched since everyone
> > knows Michael is allergic to cocoa, but you get the idea. :-)
> >
> > Mike
> >
> >
> > On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 07:41:21 -0500, "David Cook"
> > <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >
> > >I've always loved those responses that provide
> > >no explanation...just a pointer to a URL or whatever.
> > >
> > >I've never been good at guessing. I wonder what
> > >Michael Erskine was really trying to say.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >"Michael Erskine" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > >news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> > >> Hi David;
> > >>
> > >> http://www.freeantennas.com
> > >>
> > >> Have a nice day.
> > >>
> > >> -m-
> > >
> >
> > Mike Patterson
> > Please remove the spamtrap to email me.
> >
> > The questions isn't "are there weapons of mass destruction?",
> > the question is "who has them now?"
> >
> > http://www.strategypage.com/iraqwar/...ny/default.asp
> > http://www.strategypage.com/iraqwar/iraqweaponsgap.asp

I don't know about everyone, David. I just know about myself...

http://osiris.urbanna.net

Now if you would care to go *READ* the ()*#^*& link, you will find
that I did one (@#* of a lot of work for precisely six (6) bucks ...
total sum of the donations to that page ... YET I CONTINUE TO POST
LINKS TO PEOPLE ON THIS GROUP who either can't... or won't read... but
would RATHER be snotty... self-righteous little turds... Nothing
personal intended.

Go READ it, dude.

-m-