New - Linksys WRTANT7 High-Gain Antennas

[IAAI]

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model: Linksys WRTANT7
Technology: Up to 3 dBi + 7 dBi per antenna
Bands: 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Dual-Band
Antennas: 2 Dipole Antennas
OS Compatibility: R-SMA Connectors

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Wireless: Existing a/b/g/n wireless router or access point
PC: Wi-Fi enabled running Windows® XP SP3, Windows 7, or Windows 8
Mac: Wi-Fi enabled running Mac OS® X Leopard v10.5.8 or later, Snow Leopard v10.6.1 or later, Lion v10.7, or Mountain Lion v10.8
Web Browser: Internet Explorer 8, Safari 5 (for Mac), Chrome, or Firefox 8 or higher for optional browser-based configuration



http://store.linksys.com/adapters/adapters/linksys-WRTANT7-high-gain-antennas_stcVVproductId163569909VVcatId554677VVviewprod.htm

Is it usable with Asus routers ?

Does it really brings any benefit ?

Why is it that expensive ?

 

[thiggins]

The connectors are RP-SMA. The antennas will work with any router that has those connectors (including ASUS).

Whether they provide any significant benefit is another matter. YMMV.

 

[stevech]

Linksys' web page says

Technology: Up to 3 dBi + 7 dBi per antenna

which is meaningless.

Maybe it means 3dBi in 2.4GHz (negligible benefit) and up to 7dBi in 5GHz (overstated?)

Plastic and copper wire. Cost of sales: $2 or so. HUGE profit margin.

PS
RPSMA connectors meet FCC requirements from way back to use "non-standard" connectors to "discourage" consumers from using high gain (10's of dB) antennas. That idea didn't work, did it?

 

[sm00thpapa]

$99.00 for 4 WOW!

 

[IAAI]

$99.00 for 4 WOW!

Exactly , I would prefer to buy another AP/Router instead of spending 100 for antennas

 

[stevech]

Exactly , I would prefer to buy another AP/Router instead of spending 100 for antennas

And at 3dB of added gain, it's a nit.
In antennas, size matters.

 

[azazel1024]

And at 3dB of added gain, it's a nit.
In antennas, size matters.

And also the 2.4GHz gain is actually less than most omnis.

I'll grant, rare is it that the manufacturer will tell you the gain of both bands, they'll usually just tell you the higher of the two gains. That said, unless I am not brushed up on my theory at all, a WELL designed dual band dipole omni antenna is going to show roughly 2-3dBi more gain in 5GHz than 2.4GHz. This one is showing 4dBi more gain in 5GHz band than in 2.4GHz, which means either they are looking at 5.9GHz possibly instead of averaging the 5.2-5.9GHz gain, or else they have something else going on with the antennas.

By comparison, most antennas on routers are stating the 2.4GHz gain. So in most cases, you have something like a 5dBi antenna, that is a 5dBi 2.4GHz gain, and in 5GHz it is going to be more like 8dBi.

This is actually a bit of the issue of "big antennas" on a router for 5GHz coverage. Sure, 5GHz has a lot more penetration problems than 2.4GHz, so the greater gain can be useful, but it also means that 3D performance is sorely lacking. By that I mean vertical coverage is suck.

It is also something to keep in mind if you care about coverage over multiple floors. A 5dBi omni is likely to have roughly 8dBi of gain, and also that much narrower VHPBW. Something like a crazy 9dBi is going to also likely to have a crazier 12dBi 5GHz gain, which means just a few degress of 5GHz VHPBW.

Of course there are other designs for an antenna, but the vast majority of omni's are half dipole. Also the vast majority of manufacturers are listing the 2.4GHz gain, though I am sure there are some that are listing the 5GHz gain, which is why some perform like crud...because the 2.4GHz gain is actually pretty low on a 5dBi* dual band antenna (5GHz gain, 2.4GHz gain 2dBi). That or the manufacturer designed it with improper impedence, like a 70ohm impedence or something.

 

[stevech]

small antennas = low gain.
Just facts of life.

a "real" 2.4GHz 12dBi omni is about 3 ft. long and has a 7 degree vertical beamwidth. So these have limited use cases due to the narrow beamwidth.

Best antenna for home use is a patch, 60 degrees. Mounted very judiciously in terms of pattern center-beam aiming.

The 3-5dBi (claimed) just aren't enough to matter.

 

[IAAI]

Price update :

$129.99 - no thank you I will get ac66u instead