Wi-FI- antenna or not

[Clifftall]

I recently purchased a new lap top that has wi-fi capabilities . I've used it and it worked fine. I plan to use it this summer at various campgrounds around the country. Do I need an external antenna for extra help with weak signals or is that for older laptops??

Thanks

Cliff

[whem2fish]

you shouldnt have any problem with what you have my 1 year old gateway picks them up fine
dave

[wa8yxm]

Generally there is no provision for an external Wi-Fi antenna on a laptop..(This does not mean you can't add that feature if you know how but ...)

Parks are divided 2 by 3 ways

First division, Internet connection is FEE or FREE (has nothing to do with this discussion) Some campgrounds you have to pay a fee to internet Many KOA's for exmaple (Keep On Adding)

And the other (important) Division I park in all 3 of these types

Where I"m at now: Hike to the "hot spot" and it works.. In the park, Well. if you are close to the "hot Spot" (The "A" section of this park for example) and you have a good high-gain Wi-Fi antenna.. You might get lucky but don't count on it (Actually I enjoy the hike, it's not far and the more I hike the better I feel)

Park 2, Where I hope to be next month: Well, when it's working there is Wi-Fi all over the park... They have a repeater network and it simply works.

Type 3: Where I"ll be next week;;;;;;; NO WI-FI period. they don't have it, not even in the lodge/store.. Even the rangers have to plug in to internet.

[whem2fish]

they do make usb amplified antennas also. there is another way to set up a router then install a different driver then you can turn the power up for weak signals (not sure if it is legal with fcc) but iv seen it done
dave

[JohnLori]

We use a RadioLabs Wave Magnum antenna that plugs into a USB port. It significantly improves the signal strength allowing us to rec'v wifi signal at the coach instead of walking to the hotspot. There's one place we stay that does not have wifi but with the antenna we are able to rec'v the signal from a neighboring source.

[whem2fish]

i may mess this up a little my friends router had 2 rubber antennas he removed one i think it was the right one attached a cable then hooked a yegi intenna he can get the coffee shop about 2 miles away
dave

[InterVac]

I've been happy with this usb wifi antenna that I've had for the last couple of years. I could pick up most signals a quarter mile to a half mile away with it. It also allows you to stay inside and use the computer, as well as having a strong/fast signal when it would otherwise be weak and drop frequently.

[gg]

http://cgi.ebay.com/35DBm-USB-BiQuad-Laptop-WiFi-High-Power-Booster-
I purchased this one for $50.00 and it doubled my signal strength so that I don't have to walk to the office to use the wifi.

At the next park - who knows if it will work but it is small and light wt, made in Michigan.

[denochs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by InterVac I've been happy with this usb wifi antenna that I've had for the last couple of years. I could pick up most signals a quarter mile to a half mile away with it. It also allows you to stay inside and use the computer, as well as having a strong/fast signal when it would otherwise be weak and drop frequently.

InterVac speaks of two things to consider when using public access. Signal strength can be boosted by the addition of things like a USB antenna. However, bandwidth is subject to the number of users sucking in a signal. This is when we get dropped off or loose signal even though the computer may be receiving a strong signal.

Very few parks do not have good signal strength. Many do not have enough bandwidth.

Dave

[Dwain]

I purchased a Wi-Fire, thinking it would get a better stronger signal. This usb plug and play antenna didn't perform as well as the internal antenna my dell came with. Tried at a couple different parks with same results.

[htwheelz67]

I use the alfa networks 1000mw booster, its a lan card and 1 watt amplifier all in one that plugs into your laptops usb port, I paid about 35 bucks for it and it works better than ones I paid close to 100 bucks for, I hook it to a directional yagi antenna above my toyhauler, I'm using it right now in the camp ground here in Parker AZ, I'm using the free wifi which is over a 1/2 mile away inside a brick building. Ususally with my laptop I have to be inside or right outside the building, with this setup I can be anywhere in the park and pick up many other open networks as well.
These are the products I am using plus you need a antenna cable. The yagi can be found for around 39.00. This setup works better than anything I have tried yet.

Amazon.com: 1000mW 1W 802.11b/g USB Wireless WiFi Adapter With Original Alfa Screw-On Swivel 9dBi Rubber Antenna and Suction cup Window Mount dock *Strongest on the Market*: Explore similar items

16dBi Vagi 2.4GHz Antenna N-Male

[Retired and Happy]

I have a Wilson Truckers antenna installed on my roof I bought several years ago for my cell phone. It uses an adapter cable that is specific to each cell phone connector. Can that be used for Wi-Fi with the proper adapter? Does Wilson sell such an adapter? My laptop is old enough as to not have a Wi-Fi built in and my Linksys PCM board does not accept an external antenna, so I would need to get another board that does. Right?

[FlyingDiver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retired and Happy I have a Wilson Truckers antenna installed on my roof I bought several years ago for my cell phone. It uses an adapter cable that is specific to each cell phone connector. Can that be used for Wi-Fi with the proper adapter? Does Wilson sell such an adapter? My laptop is old enough as to not have a Wi-Fi built in and my Linksys PCM board does not accept an external antenna, so I would need to get another board that does. Right?

No, you can't use the Wilson antenna for WiFi. Different frequency band, different antenna shape.

joe

[deadeye916]

I purchased the WiFire from hField and have used it many times while traveling. As mentioned, not all RV parks have a good wifi setup and you will need help to pull in weak signals.

Wifi is a "line-of-sight" signal, so if there are tree's or other RV's between you and the hotspot it will degrade performance. I have best results mounting the WiFire outside (temporarily) and as high as I can get it.