Higher power Wifi = Longer Range?

AcuraTLFan · 08-17-2006, 07:12 AM

I was wondering if you guys could help clear some things up. The higher the power a wifi card transmit results in a longer range of "communication"? Some user post that it's only increases transmittion range but not recieving range. But how come if you get a higher power card, you can see more AP? That would mean the higher power card is more sensitive, therefore it would increase recieving range...no?

Planing to by a wifi card soon, don't know weather to get 200mw or 400mw. I don't want to buy the 400mw if it doesn't do anything more then the 200mw

DarquePervert · 08-17-2006, 07:24 AM

I'm not the expert, but here's my take...

A high-power WiFi adapter is only as good as its antenna. With a crap antenna, you're going to get better, albeit still mediocre signal.
Replace the crap antenna with a more powerful antenna, and your connection range will improve greatly.

This is the route I intend to take....

What model WiFi adapter are you considering?

BarryWoods · 08-17-2006, 12:38 PM

The power they quote is usually the transmission power. It has nothing to do with receive sensitivity. Usually the "higher power" cards have better antennas on them, or none at all and you have to use an external which will almost always be better than the built in one.

DarquePervert · 08-17-2006, 02:08 PM

I'm eyeing this WiFi adapter: http://www.wlanparts.com/product/SUB-362EXT
and want to use it with antenna: http://www.pacwireless.com/products/mobile_2_4ghz.shtml sitting on a magnetic mount.

The adapter puts out a a max of 23dbi and the antenna has a 7dbi gain....
I'm thinking that I'm going to have some pretty damn fine reception in the truck...
Unless there's someone that knows more than I who knows why my proposed setup needs improvement.....

Wiredwrx · 08-17-2006, 03:02 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by AcuraTLFan

I was wondering if you guys could help clear some things up. The higher the power a wifi card transmit results in a longer range of "communication"? Some user post that it's only increases transmittion range but not recieving range. But how come if you get a higher power card, you can see more AP? That would mean the higher power card is more sensitive, therefore it would increase recieving range...no?

Planing to by a wifi card soon, don't know weather to get 200mw or 400mw. I don't want to buy the 400mw if it doesn't do anything more then the 200mw

Transmission power is in no way related to the reciever. It is, however, possible that a more powerfull transmitter will be coupled to a more sensitive reciever, but the only way to confirm this would be to look at the specs of the receiver.

But, as has been suggested, it is possible that the more powerfull cars have improved antennas, or use external antennas which are vastly superior to the built in antennas of most wifi cards.

Michael

Wiredwrx · 08-17-2006, 03:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DarquePervert

I'm eyeing this WiFi adapter: http://www.wlanparts.com/product/SUB-362EXT
and want to use it with antenna: http://www.pacwireless.com/products/mobile_2_4ghz.shtml sitting on a magnetic mount.

The adapter puts out a a max of 23dbi and the antenna has a 7dbi gain....
I'm thinking that I'm going to have some pretty damn fine reception in the truck...
Unless there's someone that knows more than I who knows why my proposed setup needs improvement.....

Just keep in mind the losses of the cable. Depending on the cable used and the connectors used, you will lose significant amounts of power and reception, though the truth is, almost any external antenna will be an improvement over a built in antenna.

Michael

xbi0s · 08-17-2006, 05:56 PM

I use a "indoors" model antenna, 7dbi gain on my rear deck. I get awesome signals. Regular antenna gave me 30ft range around the car... With the new antenna on my rear deck I get several hundred feet. I easily pick up signals while driving around with netstumbler on from blocks away where as before I would hardly get any traveling down the same stretch of road.

I wanted to get a low profile antenna on the rear deck, but I don't want to have any antennas, so this will do