WHOTSPOT WIFI ANTENNAS, BRIDGES, ACCESS POINTS

"Wi-Fi", or 802.11x,, has become the most popular worldwide standard for wireless local area networks in offices, homes and public spaces. Laptop computers from major PC manufacturers have Wi-Fi built-in. New appliances such as portable phones, MP3 players, digital picture frames and toys are quickly becoming Wi-Fi enabled.

Wi-Fi networks are now popping up in public & retail spaces. Users who already have a Wi-Fi network at home or the office don't need to buy any new equipment to connect.

Deploying a wireless LAN is a considerable undertaking. Significant planning is required and that's not simply a matter of identifying user locations and connecting them to the backbone. Wireless LANs provide mobility through roaming capabilities and as such have limited range. A typical Wireless access device or router can broadcast or receive information with a 300 ft. radius, indoors, and may extend this to 800-1000 ft., outdoors. Beyond that, additional hardware is required. In addition, obstructions and metal enclosures may reduce the effective range of the signal. Take a look at some WiFi Basics - Antennas, RF, Deployment Tips.

We present some tips and recommendations on how to extend the effective range of your Whotspot WiFi Gateway, below.

ANTENNAS

Add a High-gain Antenna to your Whotspot WiFi Gateway

Utilize higher gain antennas. The factory-default antennas that come with an access point usually have low gain (around 2dB). If the access point has removable antennas, then replacing the default antennas with higher gain omni-directional or even directional patch antennas boosts range significantly. Most of these higher gain antennas effectively add 6dB or more to the system, which equates to a four fold increase in signal power. Even though that doesn't exactly multiple the range by four, it does make a big difference in range. For a cost of around ten-fifty dollars each, antenna upgrades are extremely cost-effective.

There are basically two types of high-gain antennas available. An Omni antenna, which broadcasts it's signal in 360 degrees, and a Directional antenna, which as its name implies, broadcasts longer distances in 1 direction. You can visualize how antennas work with a flashlight. Point a flashlight at the ceiling - the circular pattern it makes is light an Omni antenna. If you use a larger flashlight, the size of the circle grows larger. Now, take the same flashlight and point it across the room. The light travels far in the direction you point the flashlight. There is little or no light behind the flashlight, and the pattern of the light is cone-shaped - it starts mall at the source and then grows with distance. This is the way a Directional antenna works. Beamwidth: 8 Horizontal 8 Vertical.

Add additional omni or directional antennas and you are ready to service your market, regardless the distance. (download Outdoor WiFi Installations [PDF]).

Try our free OMNI Antenna Beamwidth Analysis. The purpose of this tool is to illustrate how Omni and directional antennas work. We have found that many individuals miscalculate the signal strength they will receive by adding a high gain Omni antenna to their access point or gateway. This is because the higher the gain, the narrower the beam. Simply putting a high gain antenna on your roof may broadcast your signal several miles, but the signal my never touch the ground to reach your end-users located 10 or 20 feet from your antenna.

Most WiFi, 802.11b and 802.11g, antennas on the market today are linear (or vertically) -polarized. This includes the small, "rubber ducky" antennas that ship from the factory with most wireless devices.

A radio wave travels through the air about the size of a pine needle. If the antenna is vertically polarized the pine needle must remain vertical, as sent. If the signal hits an obstruction the signal will flip or rotate into multiple positions as it gets to the receiving radio's antenna where it will be seen as noise. The vertically-polarized antenna will not capture that signal. A multi-polarized antenna, one that sees rotating signal on all polarizations, will succeed at capturing that signal. Please see our line of multi-polarized, tree-penetrating antennas for these applications.

NEW  Multi-polarized Antennas

MP technology solves common antenna problems caused by obstructions such as fade, clipping and drop outs. Excellent for campgrounds, RV Parks, Marinas or anywhere there is a lot of interference from tress and other obstructions.

Multi-Polarized: Reflected or Refracted signal seen as noise in most antennas may be the strongest signal available. Vertical or Horizontal polarized antennas can not use this signal because of its slant. Multi-polarized means the best signal available will be used.

Multi-Plane: The advantage over other antennas is that ours collects and recognizes signal in not only the X plane and Y plane but the elusive Z plane for 3 dimensional capture of signal. This gives an MP antenna the ability to receive the strongest signal possible in heavily obstructed areas that

Multi-Path: A radio signal much like light can be reflected, diverted and refracted causing multiple beams to be present. Our antenna's will used the preferred path utilizing the stronger path even though a weaker vertical signal may be present.

Multi-Polarized will solve wireless problems for:

* Tree Penetration
* Office floor coverage
* Overall Coverage Pattern
* Greater Non-line of site
* Lower Tower installs
* Noise reduction

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Laptop Kits

Super WiFi Notebook PC Card Kit

Whether you have a built-in WiFi adapter, an existing low-end WiFi card or none at all, this kit will boost your WiFi performance beyond belief!
Includes:

The AirStation 54 Mbps Wireless Notebook Adapter with Antenna Interface delivers the fastest wireless throughput on the 2.4GHz band and support for external 2.4GHz Antennas. The 54 Mbps* Notebook Adapter offers instant wireless connectivity with any Type II or Type III CardBus ready PC notebook and has an MC connector to extend wireless range and performance with the use of external antennas. The 54 Mbps* Wireless Notebook Adapter is 802.11g certified and interoperable with existing Wi-Fi™ 802.11b product. The 54 Mbps* Notebook Adapter supports WPA, 802.1x, AES and WEP for security and a physical security lock feature that allows you to attach a chain or cable to prevent theft.

And with the included 500mW Antenna booster, you have the most powerful solution available.

See the full product description or Buy one now!

HG-2408P: Smoke Detector 8dBi Patch Antenna

Looks like a Smoke Detector! This very compact round WiFi patch antenna provides 8 dBi gain with very broad coverage. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications in the 2.4GHz ISM band, including IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g, Bluetooth® and public wireless hotspot applications. This antenna is lightweight and features an aesthetic UV-stable, UL flame rated white plastic radome which can also be painted to match the room or building structure. The HG2408P can be installed for horizontal or vertical polarization. The HG2408P can be mounted flat against the wall or ceiling. Its unique design allows the cable to exit out of the side or from the back of the unit which is ideal for mounting in locations that require the cable to be hidden. Beamwidth: 75 Horizontal 65 Vertical.

HG-2409: Flat Panel Patch Antenna

This very compact flat patch Wi-Fi antenna provides 8 dBi gain with very broad coverage. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications in the 2.4GHz ISM band, including IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g, Bluetooth® and for public wireless hotspot applications. This WiFi antenna is lightweight and features an aesthetic UV-stable, UL flame rated white plastic radome which can also be painted to match the room or building structure. The HG2409P can be installed for horizontal or vertical polarization. It can be wall or ceiling mounted, as well as mast-mounted using U-bolts. Beamwidth: 75 Horizontal 65 Vertical.

RE09U-RTP: High Gain 8.5 dBi Omni Antenna with Magnetic Base

This WiFi antenna is ideally suited for applications where 360 degree coverage is desired. This antenna features a weighted magnetic base suitable for use on a tabletop or shelf. It can be used both indoors and outdoors to achieve up to double the range of "rubber duck" and PC card internal antennas. It is ideally suited for IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g wireless LANs, Bluetooth®, public wireless hotspot applications and other systems operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM band and 2.36 GHz CDMA band. Constructed for all weather operation, the RE09U features sealed collinear brass elements inside a durable UVstable machine gray fiberglass radome. A vented end cap and drain holes in the base help prevent moisture build-up inside the antenna. These features allow the RE09U to be mounted in up or down positions. Beamwidth: 180 Horizontal, 15 Vertical.

HG2412P: High Gain 12 dBi Wireless LAN Mini Panel Antenna

This very compact panel WiFi antenna provides 12 dBi gain with very broad coverage. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications in the 2.4GHz ISM band, including IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g, Bluetooth® and for public wireless hotspot applications. This WiFi antenna is lightweight and features an aesthetic UV-stable, white ABS radome which can also be painted to match the room or building structure. The HG2412P can be installed for horizontal or vertical polarization. Designed for all weather operation, the HG2412P features drain holes in the radome help prevent moisture build-up inside the antenna. The HG2412P antenna is supplied with a 60 degree tilt and swivel mast mount kit. Beamwidth: 65 Horizontal 34 Vertical.

WSBA500: 500 mW Booster Antenna for our WS160 WiFi Gateway

The Booster Antenna is a highly efficient and compact unit designed to increase the performance and range of WLAN radios in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, including the 802.11b, 802.11b+, and 802.11g access points and wireless routers.

Provides 500mW of amplified signal and works with any of our existing wireless products. Simple, and easy bolt on installation. Works with our WS160 Wifi Gateway or any RP-SMA device. Does not work with the WRT50 Device.

Specifications:

• Frequency: 2.4-2.5GHz

• Operating Mode: Bi-directional TDD (Time Division Duplex)

• Transmitter Output Power: 500mW (27dBm)

• Transmitter Input Power: 200mW (23dBm) max.

• Receiver Input Power: -0.1mW (-10dBm) max.

• Receiver Gain: 20dB

• Dimensions (L x W x H): 6.1 x 0.9 x 0.7in (155 x 22 x 19mm)

Package Contents:

• One Amplifier

• RP-SMA Antenna

• DC Power Supply

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Q-Bridge Wireless Ethernet Bridge System - an amazing WiFi Bridge

Q-Bridge™ is a point to point plug and play high speed and long distance wireless bridge. It's the WiFi Bridge for dummies! Everything is preconfigured. Just plug it in, point the antenna and it works! It allows user to connect wirelessly with a fully secure wireless link up to 4 miles apart. Applications include network gaming, wireless gaming, internet sharing, remote access and wireless connections such as creating a data link between a home office and work office for telecommuting purposes. (More Datasheet....)

Q-Bridge™ creates a transparent wireless bridge between two networks up to 4 miles apart. The bridge is transparent in that the LAN’s appear to be connected together as though through a hardwired Ethernet connection. The bridge supports multiple MAC addresses and DHCP.

The Q-Bridge™ comes pre-configured as a bridge pair for true plug and play operation. No initial setup is necessary to create a working bridge connection between two Wireless or Wired LANs. 128Bit WEP security is configured and enabled for secure plug and play operation without the need for complicated setups. Full local or wireless remote configuration management is available thru an HTML Web Interface in order for the authorized user to be able to change passwords, encryption keys, output power, IP Address or various other settings.

Q-Bridge™ is fully compatible with VOIP and Video Conferencing and can be used successfully as a backhaul link for extending wireless access. The unit is designed for long life in harsh outdoor environments but can also be used indoors. The Q-Bridge™ kit comes complete with everything that is needed for easy plug and play setup of a single point to point wireless link, including weatherproof antennas with built in IEEE 802.11b 250mW 2.4GHz radios, outdoor rated CAT5E cables, indoor CAT5E cables, Wall Mount Brackets, wall/pole mounts, surge protected power supplies and complete installation instructions. (User Manual...)

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Confused about WiFi? Take a look at some WiFi Basics - Antennas, RF, Deployment Tips.

Need more information? Contact Us.