NG WGT624, WG511T, two walls and antenna

Hi,

I have an option to replace my Netgear router's 2 dBi built-in antenna
with a 7 dBi one (actually modifying the unit adding a plug to fix the
new antenna). This has been tried and works. I just don't get
information in what way this will improve performance. I can achieve
great data transmission hispeeds close to the AP (same room, a few
meters away from it, using 802.11 g at 108 MBps). But I have certain
problems connecting to a laptop 2 rooms away (15 meters, 2 thick stone
walls ( > 0,5 m) inbetween with 2 doors with massive wood and some
(little) glass). 802.11 b works great, but I can't connect in any
802.11 g mode (54 MBps either). I am sure I use correct setups (ap,
cardbus card), the signal seems to be too weak in order to achieve a
connection, this will eventually happen but immediately break down
again. 802.11b works great though at about 500 kBps throughput. But
not 802.11 g. I now heard of this alternative antenna and my question
is, will moving to 7 dBi from 2 dBi increase connectivity between AP
and labtop in a way to allow several MBps (2 would be enough, better 5
MBps or even more) connection speed? Any estimating, approximative
answers with at least *some* numbers, pleeease :-), would be
appreciated. All that has been told me until now is things like "it
can't be said, one would have to have a look at the location, in
sight" etc. I'm kind of sick of this kind of answers... :-) any
numbers? Thanks.

Many TIA indeed.

--
CS

It takes two to Tango. You can boost range on either or both ends by adding
an antenna to the WG511T, if it accepts one. I know the WG511 has a cover
protecting the external test antenna connector. Its the same type of
connector inside the WGT624 AP/Router.

I am curious if you added a new pigtail to the WGT624 with a Reverse-SMA
Male connector, or was it some other configuration? Where did you get the
parts/ Just curious?

One other thing. If you have an external antenna connector on the WGT624,
you can run a remote antenna away from the Router. Position it until you get
a good signal. Alternatively, you can use a directional antenna. If your
Router is uniquely positioned in a far corner of the building, maybe a Yagi
design would focus the pattern in the most optimal direction. Otherwise, you
will be dealing with an Omni directional design and that may be wasting
pattern focus of where the signal gets boosted.

The wall construction can be a real show stopper and you have to draw some
maps using the laptop as a signal meter.




"Christian Sattler" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:8ipr6j41jzki$.(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> Hi,
>
> I have an option to replace my Netgear router's 2 dBi built-in antenna
> with a 7 dBi one (actually modifying the unit adding a plug to fix the
> new antenna). This has been tried and works. I just don't get
> information in what way this will improve performance. I can achieve
> great data transmission hispeeds close to the AP (same room, a few
> meters away from it, using 802.11 g at 108 MBps). But I have certain
> problems connecting to a laptop 2 rooms away (15 meters, 2 thick stone
> walls ( > 0,5 m) inbetween with 2 doors with massive wood and some
> (little) glass). 802.11 b works great, but I can't connect in any
> 802.11 g mode (54 MBps either). I am sure I use correct setups (ap,
> cardbus card), the signal seems to be too weak in order to achieve a
> connection, this will eventually happen but immediately break down
> again. 802.11b works great though at about 500 kBps throughput. But
> not 802.11 g. I now heard of this alternative antenna and my question
> is, will moving to 7 dBi from 2 dBi increase connectivity between AP
> and labtop in a way to allow several MBps (2 would be enough, better 5
> MBps or even more) connection speed? Any estimating, approximative
> answers with at least *some* numbers, pleeease :-), would be
> appreciated. All that has been told me until now is things like "it
> can't be said, one would have to have a look at the location, in
> sight" etc. I'm kind of sick of this kind of answers... :-) any
> numbers? Thanks.
>
> Many TIA indeed.
>
> --
> CS

> adding an antenna to the WG511T, if it accepts one. I know the WG511 has a cover
> protecting the external test antenna connector.

Where would that cover be located on the card? Is it just a small
nipple or bigger cover? I removed the cover from the antenna area, but
there was only a little hole in the green board, no plug at all, at
least I didn't see any.

> Its the same type of connector inside the WGT624 AP/Router.

Interesting. Again, where on the card was it located?

> I am curious if you added a new pigtail to the WGT624 with a Reverse-SMA
> Male connector, or was it some other configuration? Where did you get the
> parts/ Just curious?

http://www.wimo.de/cgi-bin/verteiler...lancable_e.htm

> One other thing. If you have an external antenna connector on the WGT624,
> you can run a remote antenna away from the Router.

I'm thinking about that, that's why I'm trying to find out whether a
small 7 dBi equipment antenna fixed to the router is worth it or not
or if I should go for something bigger, maybe a desktop or wall mount
antenna, and yes, maybe a directional one, in the first place. But
with no plug to connect an exterior antenna to the WG511T, would
*that* make sense? Because, as you mentioned, "it takes two to
rumble"... ?

--
CS

"Christian Sattler" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...


> Where would that cover be located on the card? Is it just a small
> nipple or bigger cover? I removed the cover from the antenna area, but
> there was only a little hole in the green board, no plug at all, at
> least I didn't see any.

I think you have to peel back the cover. Its really a test antenna but it
works.

http://www.netstumbler.org/showthread.php?t=11282

http://www.seattlewireless.net/index.cgi/SmaWg511

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


> > Its the same type of connector inside the WGT624 AP/Router.
>
> Interesting. Again, where on the card was it located?


Inside the Netgear, there is a miniPCI card with the connector for antenna.

> I'm thinking about that, that's why I'm trying to find out whether a
> small 7 dBi equipment antenna fixed to the router is worth it or not
> or if I should go for something bigger, maybe a desktop or wall mount
> antenna, and yes, maybe a directional one, in the first place. But
> with no plug to connect an exterior antenna to the WG511T, would
> *that* make sense? Because, as you mentioned, "it takes two to
> rumble"... ?

Again, the WG511 with chipset (Intersil) has the test antenna connector and
people have hooked up an external antenna. I am not sure about the WG511T
which has a different chipset (Atheros).

Christian,

Sorry to pile on to this thread but I'm curious about how you modified
the WGT624 to accept another antenna. The stock antenna seems to be
captive and not removable. Internally it looks like the antenna wire
is attached to the main board with a tiny spade type connector. Did
you cook up some kind of pigtail to attach the new antenna to this
spade connector?

thanks, Scott

"Pat" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:<3WHIc.36962$(E-Mail Removed)>. ..
> It takes two to Tango. You can boost range on either or both ends by adding
> an antenna to the WG511T, if it accepts one. I know the WG511 has a cover
> protecting the external test antenna connector. Its the same type of
> connector inside the WGT624 AP/Router.
>
> I am curious if you added a new pigtail to the WGT624 with a Reverse-SMA
> Male connector, or was it some other configuration? Where did you get the
> parts/ Just curious?
>
> One other thing. If you have an external antenna connector on the WGT624,
> you can run a remote antenna away from the Router. Position it until you get
> a good signal. Alternatively, you can use a directional antenna. If your
> Router is uniquely positioned in a far corner of the building, maybe a Yagi
> design would focus the pattern in the most optimal direction. Otherwise, you
> will be dealing with an Omni directional design and that may be wasting
> pattern focus of where the signal gets boosted.
>
> The wall construction can be a real show stopper and you have to draw some
> maps using the laptop as a signal meter.
>
>
>
>
> "Christian Sattler" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:8ipr6j41jzki$.(E-Mail Removed)...
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I have an option to replace my Netgear router's 2 dBi built-in antenna
> > with a 7 dBi one (actually modifying the unit adding a plug to fix the
> > new antenna). This has been tried and works. I just don't get
> > information in what way this will improve performance. I can achieve
> > great data transmission hispeeds close to the AP (same room, a few
> > meters away from it, using 802.11 g at 108 MBps). But I have certain
> > problems connecting to a laptop 2 rooms away (15 meters, 2 thick stone
> > walls ( > 0,5 m) inbetween with 2 doors with massive wood and some
> > (little) glass). 802.11 b works great, but I can't connect in any
> > 802.11 g mode (54 MBps either). I am sure I use correct setups (ap,
> > cardbus card), the signal seems to be too weak in order to achieve a
> > connection, this will eventually happen but immediately break down
> > again. 802.11b works great though at about 500 kBps throughput. But
> > not 802.11 g. I now heard of this alternative antenna and my question
> > is, will moving to 7 dBi from 2 dBi increase connectivity between AP
> > and labtop in a way to allow several MBps (2 would be enough, better 5
> > MBps or even more) connection speed? Any estimating, approximative
> > answers with at least *some* numbers, pleeease :-), would be
> > appreciated. All that has been told me until now is things like "it
> > can't be said, one would have to have a look at the location, in
> > sight" etc. I'm kind of sick of this kind of answers... :-) any
> > numbers? Thanks.
> >
> > Many TIA indeed.
> >
> > --
> > CS