Good aftermarket wifi antenna

I'm looking for a good antenna (802.11 G compatibility should be fine) in the realms of a USB connection with a high dB gain and range. Will be using it to pick up wifi signal at university since the router for the floor I'm on is far away. Am currently looking at the hawkingtech.com website at the mini USB dish.

Would like some insight as to what other people have tried. Looking for something with 15 + dB gain. I have tried making my own cantenna/satellite dish antenna with cheapo USB adapter in the middle to no avail. Would a network repeater/extender be a better idea? Would like something under $100, and if not USB, I also have a pci-express port open as well.

 

Much depends on what exactly is the cause of your connectivity issues--is it signal strength or interference? Tough to say without being there.

I've seen that usb dish and haven't seen too many glowing recommendations about it. I'd be more inclined to talk to you tech folks at the university and see if they have a solution since they know their buildings more than I or you.

Perhaps they are unaware of this issue and can install a bridge/repeater

 

Here are the current readings on my connection to the network with my Ralink HWU54DM Wireless Adapter:

Link speed = 1 MBps.
Link quality = 55-62%
Signal Strength = 3%
Noise level = 0%

So methinks that interference isn't the problem, otherwise noise level would be higher. I believe it's merely the adapter's ability to pick up a signal that's faltering here, ie. needs more range. I have already made sure to configure it through windows to receive 100% of the transmit power and it's using QoS service. I just need something with a thicker/longer antenna itself or some sort of parabolic dish to capture signals.

 

Or perhaps someone could explain how a repeater/bridge would help?

 

You may just need an Accesspoint this repeats the signal sent from the main router.
But usually needs to be fed with a LAN cable.
So basically the wireless router is in one place (close to phone line and other stuff you want shared)
The accesspoint is as far a way as you want fed with a cable from the main router and it also sends the same signal.

Most wilreless routers have the ability to be set to accesspoints, but you will ofcourse need more than one router to turn one into an access point.

 

Yeah that's not going to be possible. I don't want an ethernet cable dragging along the hallways of the school.

 

You could try this.
http://www.radiolabs.com/products/wireless/wave-magnum.php
If you get this please tell me how it works for you.

 

You can set up a repeater wirelessly if the router/access point on your floor supports it...without knowing what you have it is tough to say.

You could also try something a bit unconventional, but the problem it would reduce your and your helpers bandwith by half (if it works).

Let's say a friend has a desktop halfway between your room and the router. He could plug a wireless access point into his network interface port on his computer and set up ICS with his computer. So, your PC sends the signal to the Wireless Access Point, it then goes into his PC and out his wireless card to the router, and then back again.

Not sure why that wouldn't work....that said, talk to your schools IT department--it is there job to make sure you have access.

 

Thanks for the link. Now I just need to shop around for one that's not $160.00 LOL

 

hField sells a pretty compact high-gain USB directional antenna for $79.

Advertised to increase your range by up to 3 times that of your internal. If you're picking up any signal at all via your internal, I don't see much of a reason why this wouldn't work... A little better than $160

hfield.com