subject: Tips And Advice About Wifi Antennas And Wifi Technology [print this page] Wi-Fi Technology and Wi-Fi Antennas are probably the most commonly known means to achieve internet access, because the main telecom giants have raised the profile of Wi-Fi to consumers.
Very simply, Wi-Fi is a radio used to allow computers to access the Internet. A Wi-Fi antenna is a device that sends and or receives radio signals that computers and other electronic devices use to facilitate wireless communication with each other. Wi-Fi antennas take the incoming signal, and re-amplify it, thereby increasing the range of the wireless network. Operating in the 2.4Ghz and offering a typical 24dB of gain, these devices are reliable and eminently functional.
There are several basic types of Wi-Fi antennas, the most common being unidirectional and omnidirectional. Omnidirectional Wi-Fi antennas transmit and receive in a 360 degree circle spreading out from the antenna, they broadcast in all directions, so the positions of the antennas should be irrelevant. Onmidirectional antennas offer point-to-multi-point networking and are used to send signals to multiple devices.
Unidirectional antennas focus the transmission in one direction only. This type of Wi-Fi antenna will often provide the best distance for a user, but is only really useful for fixed mount installations such as from a house to an outbuilding a long distance away.
A Wireless Antenna will normally be designed to work efficiently over a narrow band of frequencies, the wider the range of frequencies the antenna will operate over, the more "Broadband" the antenna is said to be. Wi-Fi Antennas will operate either in the 2.4Ghz ISM band or the 5Ghz band, so the antenna must be designed to operate within those specific frequency ranges.
Panel Wi-Fi antennas offer gains of up to 20 db or decibels over a built in Wi-Fi antenna. Since you can mount them outside the building you can get a more direct signal path.
However, Long distance Wi-Fi antennas are great for when you are experiencing a weak or intermittent signal from your wireless access point. The long range Wi-Fi antenna must have a high power output. It must not only deliver a strong signal but should also transmit signal in the targeted location.
Long range Wi-Fi antennas are necessary for long-range wireless networks. Long range Wi-Fi antennas have a narrow radio beam that is used to increase signal strength by providing a more precise way of targeting radio signals. This antenna is used in open areas where no mountains are present to disrupt radio waves. Long range Wi-Fi antennas are also known as high-gain antennas or directional antennas.
Home Wi-Fi antennas are useful for anyone who is looking to get Wi-Fi access in the home, because Wi-Fi antennas for the home are the most accessible. They are also the easiest antennas as far as installation goes. Usually, you'll only need one and it can be placed on the remote computer. If you have a very large house you may need to install it directly on the router.
The easiest way to boost the performance of your wireless network is to add Wi-Fi antennas. Depending on the exact model of your Wi-Fi router, it may be compatible with an add-on Wi-Fi booster antenna. Wi-Fi antennas seem to have a varying degree of mixed reviews from purchasers, but for approximately 50% of people, they are worth the purchase.
