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Author Topic: Directional wifi antennas  (Read 9099 times)

Jason Lavoie

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Directional wifi antennas
« on: October 26, 2015, 10:07:49 AM »

Has anyone tried directional antennas for wifi control systems?
like this http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/cat-5063_TL-ANT2424B.html
or maybe less directional depending on the coverage pattern you need

it seems like most of the time when you need more range you know what direction you'll be heading and could aim the antenna before you head out

Also wondering if I'd need to replace all of the antennas on the router, or just one? (is each antenna for a different band, or is it diversity like a wireless mic?)
diversity doesn't seem likely since a lot of routers have an odd number of antennas so I'm not sure.

Jason
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Scott Helmke

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Re: Directional wifi antennas
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2015, 10:16:32 AM »

It can be a bit of a crap shoot trying to replace one of those little whip antennas on a consumer wifi box.

That being said, I like this antenna a lot:
http://www.l-com.com/wireless-antenna-24-ghz-8-dbi-circular-polarized-lh-flat-patch-antennas
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Pete Erskine

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Re: Directional wifi antennas
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2015, 11:19:27 AM »

Has anyone tried directional antennas for wifi control systems?
like this http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/cat-5063_TL-ANT2424B.html
or maybe less directional depending on the coverage pattern you need

The Pringles wifi antenna worked well for me and is very directional.  Here is a commercial version:
http://www.cantenna.com/

Quote

Also wondering if I'd need to replace all of the antennas on the router, or just one? (is each antenna for a different band, or is it diversity like a wireless mic?)
diversity doesn't seem likely since a lot of routers have an odd number of antennas so I'm not sure.

Jason

I'd put them on all and separate them by a foot or so
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Pete Erskine
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Tim Weaver

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Re: Directional wifi antennas
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2015, 11:40:52 AM »

I bought a Ubiquiti Nanostation M5 and can go about a 1/4 mile before I see the signal start to drop. Its a WAP instead of an antenna, but it is directional.
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Pete Erskine

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Re: Directional wifi antennas
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2015, 01:17:04 PM »

I bought a Ubiquiti Nanostation M5 and can go about a 1/4 mile before I see the signal start to drop. Its a WAP instead of an antenna, but it is directional.

With the cantenna on both ends it can go a couple of miles.  On 1 end a mile.
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Pete Erskine
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Jason Lavoie

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Re: Directional wifi antennas
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2015, 02:10:56 PM »

The Pringles wifi antenna worked well for me and is very directional.  Here is a commercial version:
http://www.cantenna.com/

I'd put them on all and separate them by a foot or so

They're cute, but looks like they're not for sale anymore. the website is there but if you click to buy they are 'closed'
Wonder if they got hit with some regulatory issues

Jason
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Jason Lavoie

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Re: Directional wifi antennas
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2015, 02:13:55 PM »

I bought a Ubiquiti Nanostation M5 and can go about a 1/4 mile before I see the signal start to drop. Its a WAP instead of an antenna, but it is directional.

I like it.
and I think the extra complexity of having to add a router (for DHCP) will be outweighed by not having to line up 3 separate directional antennas

Thanks!
Jason
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Lyle Williams

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Re: Directional wifi antennas
« Reply #7 on: October 26, 2015, 04:17:30 PM »

Every 6dB of antenna gain doubles your range, as long as you are on axis.  Improved reception in one direction is at the expense of reduced reception n other directions.

Antenna gain specs are like speaker specs.  Don't believe everything you read.
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Pete Erskine

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Re: Directional wifi antennas
« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2015, 04:28:19 PM »

They're cute, but looks like they're not for sale anymore. the website is there but if you click to buy they are 'closed'
Wonder if they got hit with some regulatory issues

Jason

Build it yourself like I did:

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-make-a-wifi-antenna-out-of-a-pringles-can-nb/
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Tim Weaver

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Re: Directional wifi antennas
« Reply #9 on: October 27, 2015, 09:19:26 AM »


I like it.
and I think the extra complexity of having to add a router (for DHCP) will be outweighed by not having to line up 3 separate directional antennas

Thanks!
Jason

Yeah I wasn't interested in trying to find a place for crazy antennas on a festival stage. This little guy is about a foot tall and a couple inches deep. I can gaff it to a mic stand on the downstage edge and have plenty of range to reach FOH and well beyond.

I'm using it with a regular linksys/cisco router which also has a 2.4g network in it so my older gear can connect closer to the stage. My FOH clients all are on the 5g network of the ubiquiti.
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Re: Directional wifi antennas
« Reply #9 on: October 27, 2015, 09:19:26 AM »


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