WNDR4000 Antenna Mod

[cpmiller22]

Hi all:

I recently ordered a netgear wndr4000 to replace my old dir-655. I'm looking for some feedback on the benefits of the custom antenna mod kits that I've seen available (primarily on ebay). I've seen both 7db and 9db kits and was hoping someone might have some feedback as to the benefits provided. My goal is to maximize coverage on the ground floor of my house.

Thanks-

 

[stevech]

It has no external antenna connector. Since it's MIMO capable, it would have specialized internal antennas. Certainly don't advise hacking the PC board to try to add non-MIMO-related external antennas for each band.

The internal antennas probably have 2-4 dBi gain and slightly directional. MIMO itself, esp. if your clients support MIMO, adds another few dB of equivalent gain.

Trying to improve this by just 5 dB or so with hacked external antennas, fouling up MIMO, and adding losses from coax and connectors, isn't going to make a significant difference. The path loss is on the order of 70dB or so, the ratio of 5 to 70 is small, i.e., it's like getting 2 more watts from a 75 watt light bulb.

 

[cpmiller22]

@stevech

Thanks for the info! Looks like I will steer clear of the external antenna mod kits.