24dBi Grid Parabolic Antenna 2.4GHz vs Alfa Network AOA-2415 2.4GHz

Discussion in 'Wireless Networking Cards' started by Alvin.T, 28 Mar 2013.

?

Which one is better ?

Poll closed 4 Apr 2013.
  1. 24dBi Grid Parabolic Antenna 2.4GHz

    64.3%
  2. Alfa Network AOA-2415 2.4GHz

    35.7%
  1. Alvin.T

    Alvin.T want some cookies ? =)
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    Need you all experts advise to rate which is better... going to install it beside my air-cond compressor...

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    And also will it compatible with my RTL8187 adapter ?
    [​IMG]

    Million thanks =D
     
  2. Mr. Penguin

    Mr. Penguin Administrator
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    You made a bit of a mistake with the poll being 4dBi and I changed it to 24dBi :)
     
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  3. Alvin.T

    Alvin.T want some cookies ? =)
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    Thanks Mr.Penguin...

    Anyway i've bought the Parabolic antenna, but after i plug it in to my computer and did a scan... it doesn't seems really much diff... any tips how and where to install parabolic antenna ?? currently i haven't mount it, just got it this afternoon.

    Million thanks. =)
     
  4. ImJoJo

    ImJoJo The One & Only
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    Just curious..:rolleyes: does it really have a 24 dBi gain? Something like that will get you beacons from ESSID "Jupiter"...:D Looks cool!

    Sent from my LG-MS770 using Tapatalk 2
     
  5. dooogle

    dooogle Well-Known Member

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    I have been using this parabolic grid antenna for over two months. The problem with this is that it's very directional because the signal is very narrow and you have to rotate and pin point in right direction to your target APs. I am mounting mine on a mobile tripod on top of the roof. Also I mount my parabolic antenna horizontally that is the longer side is horizontal whereas some people mount it with longer side vertically. I suppose placement height is also important. So far I can find APs about 30 houses away say 200m distance.
     
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  6. Alvin.T

    Alvin.T want some cookies ? =)
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    What brand is your parabolic antenna ? is there any antenna that don't have to adjust the direction ? what is your recommended antenna ?

    Thanks for sharing, much appreciated.
     
  7. dooogle

    dooogle Well-Known Member

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    Some notes here. air802.com/blog/the-different-types-of-wi-fi-antennas
    I also suggest that you check out the antennas specification before buying. As always don't believe that it's capability is 100% true. Mine is an Alfa brand bought from an Alfa dealer but interesting enough they all look exactly same on other sellers web pages?
     
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  8. Alvin.T

    Alvin.T want some cookies ? =)
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    Thanks for sharing the website... you're right, maybe they won't meet 100% capability... if i wanna buy with confident, cna i go for TP-Link ? any advise on this antenna ?
    http://www.lelong.com.my/tp-link-tl...al-n-type-feiton-124523006-2014-02-Sale-P.htm

    Thanks :psy
     
  9. Gordon

    Gordon Member

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    I am always skeptical about dBi claims. :watching:

    AT THE ROUTER / AP SIDE
    the parabolic / directional is good for a point to point network.
    the omni is good for increasing signal near your AP in all directions.

    ON A REMOTE COMPUTER
    the parabolic / directional is good for picking up a strong signal with less interference over long distances or noisy environments.
    The omni is good for exploring / wardriving or if you are switching between networks.

    I particularly like the YAGI style antenna for directional.
    Here is what I use most often when I help people link their computer to a distant signal.

    http://www.ebay.ca/itm/51dbm-2000mw...dBi-WIFI-Yagi-Antenna-1m-RP-SMA-/111042567346

    or look here for a good calculator and then you can be smart about some of the wild claims.

    for example
    a 12 element YAGI has a max gain of 15.7 dBi or 13.5 dBm if you do everything right.
    a 18 dBi takes 20 elements
    to get a 20 dBi gain you need 30 elements and it gets ridiculous beyond that.

    Many in my area have used satellite TV dishes to boost a signal in 1 direction by placing the antenna of their USB device at the feed point of the antenna.
    --- Double Post Merged, 1 Apr 2013 ---
    This is interesting
    http://tf.nist.gov/general/pdf/451.pdf

    this is a 4 stack YAGI at 25 dBi real measured gain

    http://www.w6pql.com/antennas/23cmarray.htm
    --- Double Post Merged, 1 Apr 2013 ---
    I stole this data from a website and it may help answer your question.

    http://www.air802.com/antenna-yagi-wifi-18-dbi-2.4-ghz.html

    Basically - here are the stats for different 2.4 GHZ YAGI antennas.

    GAIN dBi Length (cm) Beam Width (deg.)
    8 20 60
    10 30 45
    12 45 35
    15 70 28
    18 90 20

    Because the basics of directional antennas is the same
    (small angle gives better dBi when you are aimed properly)
    it comes down to how much aiming are you willing to do.

    I like the 15 or 18 dBi YAGI because they are easy to aim for my setting.
    A 24 dBi has a 15 degree beam width.
    That is a little harder to aim than the 15 dBi YAGI
     
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  10. Alvin.T

    Alvin.T want some cookies ? =)
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    Hi Gordon,

    Thanks for the valuable info, will read thru this later on... :woot:
     
  11. Mr. Penguin

    Mr. Penguin Administrator
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    I think you should consider the environment where you will station this. Directionals are good for long range, while omnidirectionals are great if the APs are all around you. E.g 360 degrees.
    --- Double Post Merged, 1 Apr 2013 ---
    The parabolic will likely have a different connector than the SMA one, so you will need a conversion piece and long active USB cable extension. If you plan on setting one of these up all I can recommend is an ALFA.
    --- Double Post Merged, 1 Apr 2013 ---
    you will have to move it to the AP you want. Also how long is the connector? you lose a lot of power through the cable. This is why I suggest as small as possible and use USB cable to extend it.
     
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  12. Alvin.T

    Alvin.T want some cookies ? =)
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    the original N connector is 5 meter, i've bought another coax extender 10meter.
     
  13. Mr. Penguin

    Mr. Penguin Administrator
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    So you have 15 meters of cable there....

    In theory, you are going from 54dB to around 39dB. That might change with the thickness and shield properties of your own cables though: http://www.swisswireless.org/wlan_calc_en.html I used the rated 24dBi antenna in that calculation.
     
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  14. ImJoJo

    ImJoJo The One & Only
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    Are any of these good when it comes to packet injection? I cant seem to find accurate information online..:(

    Sent from my LG-MS770 using Tapatalk 2
     
  15. dooogle

    dooogle Well-Known Member

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    Just been visiting Alfa Network site at alfa.com.tw and noticed several new products which may be of interest to you. They are all designed for outdoor use but which one is the best buy? Any feedback?
    AGA-5828T 5.8GHz Grid Antenna 28dBi
    AGA-2424T 2.4GHz Grid Antenna 24dBi
    AOA-2409TM 2.4GHz 9dBi Outdoor Omni Mesh Antenna
    AOA-2409TF 2.4GHz 9dBi Outdoor Omni Antenna
     
  16. Mr. Penguin

    Mr. Penguin Administrator
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  17. Gordon

    Gordon Member

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    Did you count shipping cost?
    --- Double Post Merged, 5 Apr 2013 ---
    "the original N connector is 5 meter, i've bought another coax extender 10meter."

    best to use usb for extensions even if you have to pay for an active repeater.
    Line loss in coax is about 3 dB per 5 m (from memory, could be wrong) and some loss for every connector.
    USB can be as long as you want (active repeater required over 5 m length) with no loss of signal.
     
  18. Alvin.T

    Alvin.T want some cookies ? =)
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    Nice job bro, any recommendation of active repeater ? do u have a link for that ?
     
  19. Alvin.T

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