Wireless Network Adapter: Usb Vs. Pci

[PMK]

Hi All,

Any thoughts on USB wireless network adapters similar to http://www.thanni.com/index.php?main_page=...roducts_id=3284 vs a PCI wireless card? My priority is distance - the computer is quite far from the WAP. Ultra high speed/bandwidth is not an issue.

Thanks,

Peter

[Crossy]

Hmmm, I thought I replied to this yesterday, odd!

Anyway, PCI is the way to go, many (most) have detachable antennae so you can add a high-gain external antenna for better reception.

EDIT AH, a duplicate thread, thought I was going senile.

Edited January 23, 2007 by Crossy

[Rice_King]

Since you're quite a distance away from the WAP, you will want to get the wireless adapter's antenna up high and in a window or even outside on the window ledge. I agree with Crossy that a PCI is the best way to go but only if you can find one like this that has an "extendible" antenna. Otherwise, get a USB wireless adapter and buy a USB extension cable if it doesn't come supplied with one like this one does.

I have the Linksys WUSB54GP shown in the third link. Recently, I was visiting in a room about 100 meters from where the WAP was located in another building. Luckily, I had a clear view of the lobby where I knew the WAP was located. By placing the WUSB54GP outside on the window ledge (the window was on the 3rd floor) I was able to achieve between 1 and 3 bars signal strength.

Edited January 23, 2007 by Rice_King

[PMK]

Hmmm, I thought I replied to this yesterday, odd!

AH, a duplicate thread, thought I was going senile.

No, but maybe I am ;-)

[gharknes]

Since you're quite a distance away from the WAP, you will want to get the wireless adapter's antenna up high and in a window or even outside on the window ledge. I agree with Crossy that a PCI is the best way to go but only if you can find one like this that has an "extendible" antenna. Otherwise, get a USB wireless adapter and buy a USB extension cable if it doesn't come supplied with one like this one does.

I have the Linksys WUSB54GP shown in the third link. Recently, I was visiting in a room about 100 meters from where the WAP was located in another building. Luckily, I had a clear view of the lobby where I knew the WAP was located. By placing the WUSB54GP outside on the window ledge (the window was on the 3rd floor) I was able to achieve between 1 and 3 bars signal strength.

you can buy directional antenna, a bit like mini sat dish, the are very good for picking up distant wifi hotspots

[Rice_King]

you can buy directional antenna, a bit like mini sat dish, the are very good for picking up distant wifi hotspots

The Cantenna! Or this USB parabolic antenna looks easy to make.

Edited January 23, 2007 by Rice_King

[astral]

The Cantenna is a neat idea, but will only work with a pci card that has an antenna socket.

[PMK]

I knew I should have mentioned that cost was a priority also - don't know why I left that out. Anyway, here is the whole story.

I have a Surecomm wireless LAN card - seemed like the only brand they sold at Tukcom Pattaya when I bought it. With two different WAPs, Zyxel and Dlink, even 3 meters away, reception is only 'good' (45%). I only got it up to good by switching the Channel Plan, whatever that is, to ETSI. Before that it was 'poor'. Tried both b and g modes. At 10 m signal drops out completely.

The WAP is upstairs. I want to put the workstation downstairs on the other side of the house, maybe a total of 15-17 m max.

Do you think this card is either simply crap or defective? Should a good card be able to maintain good bandwidth in my location? No point in buying something else if I will have the same problem.

Thanks,

Peter

[Crossy]

Hmmm, at 3m or even 10m the signal should peg at 100% on its second time round!

I suspect your wireless card is dead or at least somewhat deaf. Time for a new one

If you're having the AP on a different floor, I'd go for a USB wireless, then you can wave it around on an extension for best reception.