2.4 Ghz 24dbi Grid Antenna No Signal!!

[kr3]

Hi,

I really need your help!

Iv just bought a 24dbi grid antenna with 10 meters of LLC400 Coxial
cable from here :'eBay Seller: wifilink uk: Networking, Computing items
on eBay.co.uk'
(http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ50QQsassZwifilinkQ5fuk)

I am using a 200mw pci card to connect the antenna to bought from
here:'Find 200mW Wireless WiFi G/B Desktop PCI Card Jack & Antenna on
eBay within PC Cards, USB, Adapters, NICs, Wireless Networking, WiFi,
Networking, Computers Networking (end time 17-Nov-07 00:00:00 GMT)'
(http://tinyurl.com/2uaonw)

The problem is that i am just about catching 2 or 3 networks even less
than what I was catching with my USB cantenna which only cost me 20
pounds whereas this ended up costing me 70 pounds. So why is my signal
so low? What should the range really be the range of my antenna?

I am using a low loss cable which has a loss of 0.22db per meter so the
10 meter cable shouldn't be a problem should it?

What am I doing wrong ? Please Help ME!! I really appreciatte any
help!!

Thanks


------------------------------------------------------------------------
View this thread: http://www.wirelessforums.org/showthread.php?t=31772
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[curly Bill]

> Iv just bought a 24dbi grid antenna with 10 meters of LLC400 Coxial
> cable from here :'eBay Seller: wifilink uk: Networking, Computing items
> on eBay.co.uk'
> (http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ50QQsassZwifilinkQ5fuk)
>
> I am using a 200mw pci card to connect the antenna to bought from
> here:'Find 200mW Wireless WiFi G/B Desktop PCI Card Jack & Antenna on
> eBay within PC Cards, USB, Adapters, NICs, Wireless Networking, WiFi,
> Networking, Computers Networking (end time 17-Nov-07 00:00:00 GMT)'
> (http://tinyurl.com/2uaonw)

> I am using a low loss cable which has a loss of 0.22db per meter so the
> 10 meter cable shouldn't be a problem should it?

I think the cable IS your problem.

What I prefer would be an Ethernet to wireless bridge near your antenna
with a short pigtail, powered with POE. You could put it in a water
tight box or under an upside down bucket.

My opinion

[kr3]

I think the cable IS your problem.

What I prefer would be an Ethernet to wireless bridge near your
antenna
with a short pigtail, powered with POE. You could put it in a water
tight box or under an upside down bucket.

Hi thanks for your reply. I really was thinking no one would reply.
Anyway could you please explain the Ethernet to wireless bridge. Would
the antenna be connected to the Ethernet to wireless bridge and the
wireless to Ethernet to wireless bridge connected to the computer?

Also wouldn't it just be easier to use a smaller length of the pigtail.
I was planning on buying a short 2 meter LLC400. Would this be ideal to
receive the maximum potential of the antenna? What is the maximum limit
of pigtail I should be using to ensure maximum potential of the
antenna?

Thanks
KR3


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View this thread: http://www.wirelessforums.org/showthread.php?t=31944
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[curly Bill]

Would
> the antenna be connected to the Ethernet to wireless bridge and the
> wireless to Ethernet to wireless bridge connected to the computer?
>

Yes, that is what it is.
There isn't any loss over Ethernet cable.
The can also be known as a game adapter.

> Also wouldn't it just be easier to use a smaller length of the pigtail.
> I was planning on buying a short 2 meter LLC400. Would this be ideal to
> receive the maximum potential of the antenna? What is the maximum limit
> of pigtail I should be using to ensure maximum potential of the
> antenna?
>

I would think 1 meter or less would be max, it might be hard to put the
antenna that close to the computer with wireless card that you bought.

[Salvador Freemanson]

Although I think the cable is the most likely problem, another
possibility to bear in mind is simply that your antenna might not be
pointing the right way.
It is far more directiional, so you should not be getting all the APs at
the same time.

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:24:19 -0500, kr3
<kr3.2zuvoj@no-mx.wirelessforums.org> wrote:

>Iv just bought a 24dbi grid antenna with 10 meters of LLC400 Coxial
>cable from here :'eBay Seller: wifilink uk: Networking, Computing items
>on eBay.co.uk'
>(http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ50QQsassZwifilinkQ5fuk)

Does it look assembled like the one in the photograph? I've seen them
mis-assembled with the feed rotated 90 degrees with respect to the
reflector. That doesn't work.

>I am using a 200mw pci card to connect the antenna to bought from
>here:'Find 200mW Wireless WiFi G/B Desktop PCI Card Jack & Antenna on
>eBay within PC Cards, USB, Adapters, NICs, Wireless Networking, WiFi,
>Networking, Computers Networking (end time 17-Nov-07 00:00:00 GMT)'
>(http://tinyurl.com/2uaonw)

Ok, the card has an RP-SMA connector.

>The problem is that i am just about catching 2 or 3 networks even less
>than what I was catching with my USB cantenna which only cost me 20
>pounds whereas this ended up costing me 70 pounds. So why is my signal
>so low? What should the range really be the range of my antenna?

The range depends on where you point the antenna. You should get more
range but not to the side or back of the antenna. If you're just
pointing the antenna is some random direction, you'll only hear
stations that are perhaps within +/- 5 degrees of where you point the
antenna. If you want to check *AREA* coverage, you have to rotate the
antenna in a full circle, slowly.

>I am using a low loss cable which has a loss of 0.22db per meter so the
>10 meter cable shouldn't be a problem should it?

I'm suppose to guess the coax type. I probably could, but I'm lazy.
So, I'll guess. Is it LMR-400? Did you make this cable yourself, or
did you buy it from a reputeable vendor? Is there a pigtail involved?
You might want to check for construction errors on the coax, such as a
short to ground or a missing center pin. 2.2dB of loss will be
noticeable but far from fatal.

There should also be a pigtail involved to go from the LMR-400 to the
small RP-SMA connector. Have you checked it? If there's no pigtail,
and you built or bought an RP-SMA connector to go directly into your
PC card, there's your problem. Those connectors last about 30 seconds
after installation thanks to the extreme bending on the RP-SMA
connector. Inspect, and I would not be suprised if it were falling
apart.

>What am I doing wrong ? Please Help ME!! I really appreciatte any
>help!!
>
>Thanks
--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558 jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
# http://802.11junk.com jeffl@cruzio.com
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS

[kr3]

Hi,
Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate it. The antenna was not
assembled I had to assemble it myself and yes I have assembled properly
like the one in the picture. Yes it LMR-400. The cable was bought with
the antenna from the seller so that shouldn't really be a problem. yes
there is a pigtail involved but from what I can see there are no real
errors.
Sorry what is short to ground? No i did not make the RP-SMA connector
so that can't be the problem.

????????

Thanks
KR3


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View this thread: http://www.wirelessforums.org/showthread.php?t=32141
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[kr3]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. Could you please suggest a long length
alternative for the cable? And I understand it is directional so I have
tried to point it in every direction possible with no luck? What should
I do?

Thanks
KR3


------------------------------------------------------------------------
View this thread: http://www.wirelessforums.org/showthread.php?t=32129
http://www.wirelessforums.org

[kr3]

Thanks for your reply again. Could you please give me some suggestions
on which ones to buy for the POE and the Ethernet to Wireless bridge?
And could you explain in detail how they would be connected. I'm a
little confused!

Thanks
KR3


------------------------------------------------------------------------
View this thread: http://www.wirelessforums.org/showthread.php?t=31944
http://www.wirelessforums.org

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Thu, 15 Nov 2007 06:46:46 -0500, kr3
<kr3.3046e4@no-mx.wirelessforums.org> wrote:

>Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate it. The antenna was not
>assembled I had to assemble it myself and yes I have assembled properly
>like the one in the picture. Yes it LMR-400. The cable was bought with
>the antenna from the seller so that shouldn't really be a problem. yes
>there is a pigtail involved but from what I can see there are no real
>errors.
>Sorry what is short to ground? No i did not make the RP-SMA connector
>so that can't be the problem.

Well, it's a very simple test for continuity in both the coax cable
and the pigtail. Disconnect both ends of the coax cable. Find a
cheap (about $10) DVM (digital voltmeter) and use the continuity
tester to see if you have a connection from end to end for both the
center conductor and the shield. Also check if there is a short
circuit (unwanted connection) between the shield and the center
conductor. If you don't understand the terms, you'll probably need
some local help to show you how to use the DVM. It's not a perfect
test and there are plenty of things that it will not check, but it's a
good start. Anything more will require some expensive test equipment.

Also, visually check for something really dumb. Make sure that the
RP-SMA end actually has the correct polarity center pin installed. The
antenna will screw together with the wrong polarity center pins, but
it won't work.

--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558 jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
# http://802.11junk.com jeffl@cruzio.com
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS

[kr3]

Please Reply!!! Thank You!!


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[curly Bill]

kr3 wrote:
> Thanks for your reply again. Could you please give me some suggestions
> on which ones to buy for the POE and the Ethernet to Wireless bridge?
> And could you explain in detail how they would be connected. I'm a
> little confused!
>
> Thanks
> KR3
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> View this thread: http://www.wirelessforums.org/showthread.php?t=31944
> http://www.wirelessforums.org
>

What you want is something similar to this
http://tinyurl.com/3bcggb

I use equipment for home use (toys), so I would hardly be in the
position to give advise.

Professional equipment costing more is more reliable and some come
equipped with POE insertion as a standard feature where I bought a
separate unit to do this.

Some people will modify a bridge to perform this function
http://www.mikemcarthur.net/article.php?story=20051006023224178&mode=print

Specs for Europe are different than for the USA (you don't mention where
you are)

[kr3]

Hi

Sorry about that I am from the UK. I just have one question the
ethernet to wireless bridge would need enough power to power the
antenna. This would have to be atleast 200MW, I am pretty sure most
ethernet to wireless bridges would not be capable of this!

Thanks


------------------------------------------------------------------------
View this thread: http://www.wirelessforums.org/showthread.php?t=31944
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[curly Bill]

kr3 wrote:
> Hi
>
> Sorry about that I am from the UK. I just have one question the
> ethernet to wireless bridge would need enough power to power the
> antenna. This would have to be atleast 200MW, I am pretty sure most
> ethernet to wireless bridges would not be capable of this!
>
> Thanks


As far as I know an antenna is passive, and if you were to power a 24dbi
grid antenna with 200mw (at least here in the US) you would be breaking
the law and subject to a fine. Maybe you have information I don't know
about, if so, could you post a link?

[DTC]

curly Bill wrote:
> kr3 wrote:
>> Hi
>> Sorry about that I am from the UK. I just have one question the
>> ethernet to wireless bridge would need enough power to power the
>> antenna. This would have to be atleast 200MW, I am pretty sure most
>> ethernet to wireless bridges would not be capable of this!
>> Thanks
>
>
> As far as I know an antenna is passive, and if you were to power a 24dbi
> grid antenna with 200mw (at least here in the US) you would be breaking
> the law and subject to a fine. Maybe you have information I don't know
> about, if so, could you post a link?

Unless its an "active" antenna (which would be the equivalent of adding
an amplifier), it would be a passive device.

In the US, a 24 dBi antenna connected to a 200 mW transmitter would just
barely be illegal; but by the time you add in the 1 dB loss or so for
cable and connectors, you effectively have 23 dBi system connected to
the 200 mW transmitter and that would be legal in a Point-to-Point system.

[curly Bill]

DTC wrote:
> curly Bill wrote:
>> kr3 wrote:
>>> Hi
>>> Sorry about that I am from the UK. I just have one question the
>>> ethernet to wireless bridge would need enough power to power the
>>> antenna. This would have to be atleast 200MW, I am pretty sure most
>>> ethernet to wireless bridges would not be capable of this!
>>> Thanks
>>
>>
>> As far as I know an antenna is passive, and if you were to power a
>> 24dbi grid antenna with 200mw (at least here in the US) you would be
>> breaking the law and subject to a fine. Maybe you have information I
>> don't know about, if so, could you post a link?
>
> Unless its an "active" antenna (which would be the equivalent of adding
> an amplifier), it would be a passive device.
>
> In the US, a 24 dBi antenna connected to a 200 mW transmitter would just
> barely be illegal; but by the time you add in the 1 dB loss or so for
> cable and connectors, you effectively have 23 dBi system connected to
> the 200 mW transmitter and that would be legal in a Point-to-Point system.

I'm sorry, the calculator on this page
http://www.radiolabs.com/stations/wifi_calc.html
says it would be a 47.01 dB system.

Check out the discussion on this site
http://www.dailywireless.org/2003/04/30/long-haul-54g/

I don't know anything about this stuff, and I didn't want to know.
But this seems to back up what I said.

[curly Bill]

DTC wrote:
> curly Bill wrote:
>> kr3 wrote:
>>> Hi
>>> Sorry about that I am from the UK. I just have one question the
>>> ethernet to wireless bridge would need enough power to power the
>>> antenna. This would have to be atleast 200MW, I am pretty sure most
>>> ethernet to wireless bridges would not be capable of this!
>>> Thanks
>>
>>
>> As far as I know an antenna is passive, and if you were to power a
>> 24dbi grid antenna with 200mw (at least here in the US) you would be
>> breaking the law and subject to a fine. Maybe you have information I
>> don't know about, if so, could you post a link?
>
> Unless its an "active" antenna (which would be the equivalent of adding
> an amplifier), it would be a passive device.
>
> In the US, a 24 dBi antenna connected to a 200 mW transmitter would just
> barely be illegal; but by the time you add in the 1 dB loss or so for
> cable and connectors, you effectively have 23 dBi system connected to
> the 200 mW transmitter and that would be legal in a Point-to-Point system.

http://www.dailywireless.org/2003/04/30/long-haul-54g/

OOPS
Sorry I just read this further down the page and it seems you are right

"A stock 200 mW PC card (+23dB) can feed a +24dB dish (in point to point
mode) and still be street legal because you can go up to 63 watts
(+48dB). A solid-state Soekris box with a couple of 200 mW cards feeding
a couple of 24dB dishes, is, in fact, the basis of the Bay Area Wireless
Metro Network. Each relay node costs about $2,000."

[curly Bill]

kr3 wrote:
> Hi
>
> Sorry about that I am from the UK. I just have one question the
> ethernet to wireless bridge would need enough power to power the
> antenna. This would have to be atleast 200MW, I am pretty sure most
> ethernet to wireless bridges would not be capable of this!
>
> Thanks
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> View this thread: http://www.wirelessforums.org/showthread.php?t=31944
> http://www.wirelessforums.org
>


Maybe you can find something like this in the UK
http://www.engeniustech.com/datacom/products/details.aspx?id=170
400mw, seperate poe injector available.