Linksys HGA7T High-Gain Antenna Kit for TNC Connectors: Links and Tips

Product Description:

Increase the range of your Wireless network! Attach these high gain antennas to your Linksys Wireless Broadband Router or Access Point, and increase both the effective strength of the outgoing signals, and the receive sensitivity for incoming signals.

The added signal strength and sensitivity also improves close-range communication reliability because every packet comes through "loud and clear", reducing retransmissions due to weak signal reception errors.

To install, just unscrew your current antennas, and attach the High Gain antennas in their place. There are no drivers to install, and no modifications to your setup are necessary.

The Linksys High Gain Antenna Kit saves wiring costs and helps to build corporate wireless infrastructure by driving stronger signals into distant corners and hard-to-reach areas. And it's perfect for covering large areas in warehouse environments, public spaces, wireless hotspots, and outdoor venues -- anywhere you need extra coverage for your wireless network.

• Stronger signal increases wireless coverage into hard-to-reach areas

• Improves throughput by reducing retransmissions

• Easy installation: Simply replace your current antennas

• Works with both Wireless-G and Wireless-B devices.

Compatible Linksys Products:

• All WRT54G Routers except Version 8 which now has non-removable antennas (Turn your router over to check the V #)

• WRT54GS Routers

• WAP54G Wireless Access Points

• BEFW11S4 Routers

• WAP11 Wireless Access Points

• AS2TNC (Optional Antenna Stand for HGA7T)

Specifications:

• Model Number: HGA7T

• Peak Gain: 7 dBi.

• Frequency Range: 2.4GHz ~ 2.5GHz.

• Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR): 1.92 Max.

• Polarization: Linear Vertical.

• Direction: Omni-directional.

• Impedance: 50 Ohms Nominal.

• Connector: Reverse TNC.

• Dimensions (W x H x D): 11.22" x 0.55" (285 mm x 14 mm ).

• Unit Weight: 1.48 oz. (0.04 kg).

• Operating Temp.: -4^oF to 149^oF (-20^oC to 65^oC).

• Storage Temp.: -22^oF to 167^oF (-30^oC to 75^oC).

• Operating Humidity: 0% to 85% Non-Condensing.

 

  

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1.   Q.  How do I know if this antenna kit is compatible with my device?

        A.  Scroll up to see the list of compatible devices.  If your product isn't in the list, assume this isn't the right kit for you.

  2.   Q.  Why isn't the WRT54G V8 router compatible with this kit?

        A.  In a brilliant cost-savings move Linksys has redesigned the WRT54G to a fixed antenna configuration for Version 8.  The antennas are not removable. 

  3.   Q.  OK, I've upgraded my antennas using this kit but my signal strength is the same or worse.  What gives

        A.  In some cases the upgraded antennas can actually exacerbate the root problem your wireless network suffers from. 

             To see the true benefit these upgraded antennas provide you'll need to solve the other problems plaguing your wireless network first.

             Here are some tips:

• Change the positioning of the antennas.

Remove the stabilizer bar that keeps the antennas fixed and upright.  Many users are attempting to distribute their wireless signals upwards or downwards, across floors vertically.  Wireless antennas typically broadcast their signals in an omni-directional (360 degrees) manner horizontally.  Try positioning one or both of the antennas so that they're parallel with the floor.  Experiment with the placement and the resulting signal strength.  Feel free to point one antenna up and one antenna outward.  And definitely combine those attempts with the next tip.

• Check your wireless channel, and change it if necessary.  

Wireless routers use one of 11 possible channels to broadcast. If another wireless network nearby happens to be broadcasting on the same channel your router is using, both networks will experience severe loss of range and power. You can use the wireless software on your notebook to find out how many wireless networks are active in the area, and which channels each is using. If you discover that another network is using the same channel as your router, log into the router via your browser and use its built-in configuration screen to select an unused channel. Chances are your signal strength will improve significantly. (You don't need to adjust your notebook; it's designed to automatically detect the network's new channel.)

• Update your router's firmware and your network adapter's drivers.

Hardware vendors are always upgrading and improving their wireless equipment to increase range and performance -- and most of those upgrades are free. Check for new firmware updates at your router manufacturer's Web site, as well as the site of your wireless adapter card. Microsoft also updates the drivers that Windows uses to communicate with your network adapter. To get those updates, visit Microsoft Update and click "Hardware, Optional."

• Reduce wireless interference.

Cordless phones, microwave ovens, and other wireless electronics in your home or office can interfere with your wireless network. To improve reception, look for cordless phones and other electronics that use the 5.8GHz or 900MHz frequencies. They won't interfere with your 2.4GHz wireless network.

• Use equipment from a single vendor.

While every router will work pretty well with every network adapter (assuming their respective flavors of 802.11 are compatible), you will often get better performance if you match a router and network adapter from the same vendor. Some vendors like Linksys offer a boost of up to twice the performance when you use their hardware exclusively.

• Move the router off the floor and keep it as far as possible from walls and metal objects.

Metal, walls and floors wreak havoc with your router's wireless signal. The more of these obstacles your router needs to punch through to reach your notebook, the worse the interference, and the slower your connection will be.

• Place your router (or access point) in a central location in your Home/office.

If your wireless router is at one end of the office (or your home), the signal will have farther to go to reach the other end. Using a central spot splits the difference.

• Use 3rd party firmware on your router

OK, for the novice user this is a bit of a last resort step.  And we're not advocating this unless you're a bit of a geek, or you have some $ to replace your router if you brick it when trying this.  But...  The WRT54G router is based on Linux, and as a result the code that it runs is open source, and has been modified by many groups.  You can read more about this and get more links here.