View Full Version : Reasonable External Antenna for use on an RV?
I would like to have some type of external antenna
that we could connect to with a laptop that would
serve to enhance our wifi reception when dealing
with weaker signals. Realize the weather issues
to be dealt with. I would mount it on our
rotateable tv antenna on the fifthwheel and
connect via a usb extension. This would place the
antenna about 15 feet above ground level.
Would some type of yagi be better or would a patch
antenna be better...assuming they are both very
directional?
Looking to do this within a reasonable cost...$100!
TIA
Brian
Pegleg wrote:
> I would like to have some type of external antenna that we could connect
> to with a laptop that would serve to enhance our wifi reception when
> dealing with weaker signals. Realize the weather issues to be dealt
> with. I would mount it on our rotateable tv antenna on the fifthwheel
> and connect via a usb extension. This would place the antenna about 15
> feet above ground level.
>
> Would some type of yagi be better or would a patch antenna be
> better...assuming they are both very directional?
>
> Looking to do this within a reasonable cost...$100!
>
> TIA
>
> Brian
There is also an RV group where you might find help
search via google groups.
"LouB" <LouB@invalid.org> wrote in message
news:4AA54051.5050809@invalid.org...
: Pegleg wrote:
: > I would like to have some type of external antenna that we could connect
: > to with a laptop that would serve to enhance our wifi reception when
: > dealing with weaker signals. Realize the weather issues to be dealt
: > with. I would mount it on our rotateable tv antenna on the fifthwheel
: > and connect via a usb extension. This would place the antenna about 15
: > feet above ground level.
: >
: > Would some type of yagi be better or would a patch antenna be
: > better...assuming they are both very directional?
: >
: > Looking to do this within a reasonable cost...$100!
: >
: > TIA
: >
: > Brian
: There is also an RV group where you might find help
: search via google groups.
rec.outdoors.rv-travel is one such group but I'd recommend you look into RV
blogs that have some adult supervision.
NotMe wrote:
> rec.outdoors.rv-travel is one such group but I'd recommend you look into RV
> blogs that have some adult supervision.
Thanks...I'm familiar with that group...at times I
don't think adult supervision would even help!
Brian
Jeff Liebermann
09-07-09, 02:55 PM
On Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:42:44 -0700, Pegleg
<brian.pegleg.jones@gmail.com> wrote:
>I would like to have some type of external antenna
>that we could connect to with a laptop that would
>serve to enhance our wifi reception when dealing
>with weaker signals.
first problem is that your laptop probably doesn't have an external
antenna connector. If you wanna butcher the laptop to add a
connector, see:
<http://repair4laptop.org/wireless_lan.html>
Otherwise, it's a USB or PCMCIA card with an external connector.
>Realize the weather issues
>to be dealt with. I would mount it on our
>rotateable tv antenna on the fifthwheel and
>connect via a usb extension. This would place the
>antenna about 15 feet above ground level.
The maximum length for a convential USB cable is about 16ft, so that
might not work. I've gone about 30ft without problems, but there's no
guarantee that some random USB radio will work. Running a long USB
cable is generally better than running coax cable because there's no
RF loss involved.
>Would some type of yagi be better or would a patch
>antenna be better...assuming they are both very
>directional?
Both will work. I prefer a panel antenna. However, if you want to
provide a bird roost, the yagi is better. You can also find a few
panels that have built in USB radios.
>Looking to do this within a reasonable cost...$100!
No problem:
USB radio with RP-SMA connector $ 50
Assorted USB extension cables $ 20
13dBi panel antenna $ 36
Type N to SMA adapter or pigtail $ 15
Tuperware enclosure and RTV seal goo $ 0
======
$121
Ok, cut the cost with a cheapo Hong Kong radio for $19.
<http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220411838965>
Antenna:
<http://www.fab-corp.com/product.php?productid=893&cat=255&page=1>
USB wireless:
<http://www.fab-corp.com/product.php?productid=16186&cat=0&page=1>
Pigtail:
<http://www.fab-corp.com/product.php?productid=2635>
Also, wrap the RF connectors with teflon plumbers tape and then embalm
the mess with outdoor electrical tape. The teflon will cold flow and
act as a sealant. The tape just holds it in place.
--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
NotMe wrote:
> "LouB" <LouB@invalid.org> wrote in message
> news:4AA54051.5050809@invalid.org...
> : Pegleg wrote:
> : > I would like to have some type of external antenna that we could connect
> : > to with a laptop that would serve to enhance our wifi reception when
> : > dealing with weaker signals. Realize the weather issues to be dealt
> : > with. I would mount it on our rotateable tv antenna on the fifthwheel
> : > and connect via a usb extension. This would place the antenna about 15
> : > feet above ground level.
> : >
> : > Would some type of yagi be better or would a patch antenna be
> : > better...assuming they are both very directional?
> : >
> : > Looking to do this within a reasonable cost...$100!
> : >
> : > TIA
> : >
> : > Brian
> : There is also an RV group where you might find help
> : search via google groups.
>
> rec.outdoors.rv-travel is one such group but I'd recommend you look into RV
> blogs that have some adult supervision.
>
LOL and AGREE very much!
I do not go there anymore because the noise level is so bad.
You have any blogs you like or use?
Lou
"Jeff Liebermann" <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in message
news:kdoaa5tb0fkuh23hktpj4pl1c6ka64fikt@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:42:44 -0700, Pegleg
> <brian.pegleg.jones@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>I would like to have some type of external antenna
>>that we could connect to with a laptop that would
>>serve to enhance our wifi reception when dealing
>>with weaker signals.
>
> first problem is that your laptop probably doesn't have an external
> antenna connector. If you wanna butcher the laptop to add a
> connector, see:
> <http://repair4laptop.org/wireless_lan.html>
> Otherwise, it's a USB or PCMCIA card with an external connector.
>
>>Realize the weather issues
>>to be dealt with. I would mount it on our
>>rotateable tv antenna on the fifthwheel and
>>connect via a usb extension. This would place the
>>antenna about 15 feet above ground level.
>
> The maximum length for a convential USB cable is about 16ft, so that
> might not work. I've gone about 30ft without problems, but there's no
> guarantee that some random USB radio will work. Running a long USB
> cable is generally better than running coax cable because there's no
> RF loss involved.
>
>>Would some type of yagi be better or would a patch
>>antenna be better...assuming they are both very
>>directional?
>
> Both will work. I prefer a panel antenna. However, if you want to
> provide a bird roost, the yagi is better. You can also find a few
> panels that have built in USB radios.
>
>>Looking to do this within a reasonable cost...$100!
>
> No problem:
>
> USB radio with RP-SMA connector $ 50
> Assorted USB extension cables $ 20
> 13dBi panel antenna $ 36
> Type N to SMA adapter or pigtail $ 15
> Tuperware enclosure and RTV seal goo $ 0
> ======
> $121
Ok, cut the cost with a cheapo Hong Kong radio for $19.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220411838965
USB wireless:
http://www.fab-corp.com/product.php?productid=16186&cat=0&page=1>
>
> --
> Jeff Liebermann
Hi Jeff,
I'm thinking only one of the following is required not both, is that
correct?
Ok, cut the cost with a cheapo Hong Kong radio for $19.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220411838965
USB wireless:
http://www.fab-corp.com/product.php?productid=16186&cat=0&page=1
I see the "Wireless LAN 802.11b/g 500mW USB Adapter" has increased output
power.
Can you give me your thoughts on the 500mw output vs. the more common 23mw.
In what situations will the extra power help when the signal your trying to
receive is
not any stronger.
Thanks, Mike
Jeff Liebermann
09-08-09, 11:52 AM
On Tue, 8 Sep 2009 08:10:34 -0500, "amdx" <amdx@knology.net> wrote:
> I'm thinking only one of the following is required not both, is that
>correct?
Correct. Only one USB wireless adapter is needed. Incidentally,
you'll need to temporarily disable the wireless adapter in your laptop
when using the USB wireless as they might interfere with each other
(or confuse the things by having both connect).
>Ok, cut the cost with a cheapo Hong Kong radio for $19.
>http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220411838965
>
> USB wireless:
> http://www.fab-corp.com/product.php?productid=16186&cat=0&page=1
>
> I see the "Wireless LAN 802.11b/g 500mW USB Adapter" has increased output
>power.
Yep. I'm not a big fan of wireless USB and especially not of "high
power" adapters. However, that seems to be the current high fashion
in wireless, so one can't really avoid these. Grumble.
>Can you give me your thoughts on the 500mw output vs. the more common 23mw.
>In what situations will the extra power help when the signal your trying to
>receive is not any stronger.
First, let's do the math. The increase from 23mw to 500mw is:
10 log (500/23) = 13.4 dB
which is a substantial increase equivalent to installing a rather
substantial antenna. In terms of range, that will yield about 4 times
the range (and about 16x the coverage area). So much for the good
part.
As you note, the receive path hasn't changed and will be limited by
the tx power output of the wireless access point, which is typically
about 50mw. All that happens with such asymmetric systems is that the
500mw client does an effective job of jamming other users with its
coverage area, while not being able to hear the same stations it is
jamming. This is a variation of the "hidden node" problem. I call it
an "alligator", which is an animal with a big mouth and small ears.
Note that every other data service (cellular, WiMax, etc) has transmit
power control, which automagically limits the tx power to only what is
needed by the receiver to obtain a decent SNR and corresponding low
error rate. Any more signal level is a waste and produces nothing but
interference. Wi-Fi, as it was conceived 15 years ago, did not have
this feature built into the specifications.
The real answer is that if you want to improve range, do it with a
better antenna, not a bigger xmitter. Antennas improve the system
gain in both directions and don't have the alligator problem.
Note that some access points are now arriving with 500mw output power.
The very common 2wire 2700/2701HG DSL wireless router has a rated
power output of 400mw. However, the default setup runs it at about
75mw.
--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
"LouB" <LouB@invalid.org> wrote in message
news:4AA6557A.1040200@invalid.org...
: NotMe wrote:
: > "LouB" <LouB@invalid.org> wrote in message
: > news:4AA54051.5050809@invalid.org...
: > : Pegleg wrote:
: > : > I would like to have some type of external antenna that we could
connect
: > : > to with a laptop that would serve to enhance our wifi reception when
: > : > dealing with weaker signals. Realize the weather issues to be dealt
: > : > with. I would mount it on our rotateable tv antenna on the
fifthwheel
: > : > and connect via a usb extension. This would place the antenna about
15
: > : > feet above ground level.
: > : >
: > : > Would some type of yagi be better or would a patch antenna be
: > : > better...assuming they are both very directional?
: > : >
: > : > Looking to do this within a reasonable cost...$100!
: > : >
: > : > TIA
: > : >
: > : > Brian
: > : There is also an RV group where you might find help
: > : search via google groups.
: >
: > rec.outdoors.rv-travel is one such group but I'd recommend you look into
RV
: > blogs that have some adult supervision.
: >
: LOL and AGREE very much!
: I do not go there anymore because the noise level is so bad.
: You have any blogs you like or use?
:
Naw, to be honest I sub to rort a for the grins and giggles. Some there
get wound up like an eight day clock sooo easily and the vindictive is a
hoot not to mention the twisted world views.
NotMe wrote:
> Naw, to be honest I sub to rort a for the grins and giggles. Some there
> get wound up like an eight day clock sooo easily and the vindictive is a
> hoot not to mention the twisted world views.
I read it occasionally also but there is no
comparison of the crap that gets posted there with
the valuable, accurate information that is on
RV.NET! And without all the criticism and
sarcastic comments. A lot of way over inflated
egos on RORT!
Brian
Pegleg wrote:
> NotMe wrote:
>
>> Naw, to be honest I sub to rort a for the grins and giggles. Some
>> there get wound up like an eight day clock sooo easily and the
>> vindictive is a hoot not to mention the twisted world views.
>
> I read it occasionally also but there is no comparison of the crap that
> gets posted there with the valuable, accurate information that is on
> RV.NET! And without all the criticism and sarcastic comments. A lot of
> way over inflated egos on RORT!
>
> Brian
Thanks for that RV.NET comment. Is that a blog?
Lou
LouB wrote:
> Pegleg wrote:
>> NotMe wrote:
>>
>>> Naw, to be honest I sub to rort a for the grins and giggles. Some
>>> there get wound up like an eight day clock sooo easily and the
>>> vindictive is a hoot not to mention the twisted world views.
>>
>> I read it occasionally also but there is no comparison of the crap
>> that gets posted there with the valuable, accurate information that is
>> on RV.NET! And without all the criticism and sarcastic comments. A
>> lot of way over inflated egos on RORT!
>>
>> Brian
> Thanks for that RV.NET comment. Is that a blog?
>
> Lou
It is a forum and broken down into topic areas.
Great place to ask how to do something because
someone has already done it and can save you a lot
of grief. Answers without the bullshit sarcastic
remarks too like "if you don't know how to do
that you shouldn't own an rv" common on RORT.
Have received and learned much on the forums there.
http://www.rv.net
and then check out the forum section.
Brian
Pegleg wrote:
> LouB wrote:
>> Pegleg wrote:
>>> NotMe wrote:
>>>
>>>> Naw, to be honest I sub to rort a for the grins and giggles. Some
>>>> there get wound up like an eight day clock sooo easily and the
>>>> vindictive is a hoot not to mention the twisted world views.
>>>
>>> I read it occasionally also but there is no comparison of the crap
>>> that gets posted there with the valuable, accurate information that
>>> is on RV.NET! And without all the criticism and sarcastic comments.
>>> A lot of way over inflated egos on RORT!
>>>
>>> Brian
>> Thanks for that RV.NET comment. Is that a blog?
>>
>> Lou
>
> It is a forum and broken down into topic areas. Great place to ask how
> to do something because someone has already done it and can save you a
> lot of grief. Answers without the bullshit sarcastic remarks too like
> "if you don't know how to do that you shouldn't own an rv" common on RORT.
>
> Have received and learned much on the forums there.
>
> http://www.rv.net
>
> and then check out the forum section.
>
> Brian
Thank You
Lou
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