Dear Kevsamiga, (1) Regarding the AWUS036NHA (= AR9271 ) you say: " The TX items of the Atheros Client utility play no part in the operation of the adapter which is 800mw (630mw without antenna attached)." .. " so that in this way the power remains the same as the original, ie. 630MW." This makes it sound like this NIC would have its TX set to 630mW (28dBi) by default independent of OS settings?? Mine for instance is factory-bundled to the GB locale and that has a max 20dBi = 100mW setting as far as I can see. This would be against some regulations - I guess you meant something else, such as, that that is the configurable max setting? (2) Are you aware of any way at all to freely configure the TX power on Windows? Thanks --- Double Post Merged, 20 Apr 2014 --- (reposted this Q as a separate thread, https://xiaopan.co/forums/threads/a...-windows-version-to-do-100mw-20dbi-ever.6261/ )
1) It depends on where you live as to whether this is applicable. 2) It depends on the applied firmware for the region it is sold in. But the values in the utility still play no part whatever set to, as evidenced by running AWiC diagnostics in the AR9271 driver thread. And.... 3) No one should have any belief in the dbm output figures claimed on any of ALFA's boxes if they are buying it in the United Kingdom where it is region locked in the eeprom to 100mw/20dbm (GB). It's not just ALFA. All adapters are required by law to also impose this restriction in the ETSI domain. Being clever, and buying an adapter from the USA would make no difference, the AP beacons of the UK would set the adapter back to ETSI unless all AP's were bought from the USA, as well as a wrongly domained ALFA. There exists no "hack" for bypassing this restriction, unless attaching an "illegal" burner inline because you cannot "control" what all the other AP's are doing which would have to be illegal as well for this kind of setup to work.
Kevsamiga, Wow, thanks for your extensive and intriguing response. So, this AWUS036NHA was bought in EU but not in GB. On Linux bootup however, it shows that it's fixed to GB. So, let's take one thing at a time, just to ensure I got you right - I guess it may all boil down to this question: What's a burner inline and how do you attach it? (a) First, there's a workaround for Linux like this, http://null-byte.wonderhowto.com/how-to/set-your-wi-fi-cards-tx-power-higher-than-30-dbm-0149606/ . Supposedly it helps you force the AR9271 to whatever dBi you specify, with 28dBi being the max of course as that's the highest the adapter can deliver. Are you saying that this one actually does work but that this workaround is ineffective in and of itself and the adapter will go with 100mW anyhow - Based on what they and others write, I would actually believe that it *is* effective? (b) Are you saying that even if you crank up your WIFI adapter to whatever dBi, if you're in EU/US then the AP:s will somehow tell the firmware in your AR9271 to force down its TX power to 100mW anyhow, independent of whatever setting you achieved through (a) here? (c) If so, why would there be no ""hack" for bypassing this restriction" - modifying the NHA firmware to ignore AP signalling to downregulate its TX power would be doable if you know how, I guess, and the firmware sources are public - that would be some starting point for a potential 'hack', no? What do you mean by "burner inline"? (d) Last re AP:s, just for reference, they're all set to 500mW TX power themselves, aren't they? Followup on Q 1): (e) So you say that whether it applies that the adapter uses 630mW/800mW depends on where I live. Where would I need to live for that to apply? Followup on Q 2): (f) The AWUS036NHA doesn't actually come with any effective builtin firmware, as at least in Linux, the Linux host will upload the firmware to the NHA on each NHA start, no? Are you saying that the NHA has firmware in it that is overridden by Linux but in use by Windows, or, do you mean something else such as that it has two sets of firmware or alike? (e) In what region would an AWUS036NHA variant be sold such that its TX power is configurable in the Windows drivers? If so, approx what Windows versions are we talking about?, and, Would you need to do anything particular to make the TX power settings show? (f) If there's any firmware in the NHA that has effect on it, can it be re-flashed? Thanks!! --- Double Post Merged, 22 Apr 2014 --- (Ah right, so this thread is in this thread and there was also one related message in https://xiaopan.co/forums/threads/atheros-ar9271.5291/#post-20189 , that's all)
A burner is a linear amplifer put inline with the antenna to ramp up the RX/TX, google it. Illegal to use but not to sell... ;-) And...I don't know of/can't find any AP that outputs 500mw. In general yes they are more powerful than bog standard adapters are, but the ALFA cards level things out in communication between AP strength and ALFA output strength increasing the range, but even AP's themselves have a finite range. Well for today now, I just ordered an 051NH to complete the ALFA set, so when that comes I'll be evaluating it and doing a review upon on it like the others have had their reviews, then ill turn my attention back to describing ways of getting the most out of the hardware on all the other stuff. I'm still researching stuff on 4 ALFA adapters, soon to be 5. All the Win drivers for all the adapters on here are the latest ones uploaded by me. We'll then see how the "golden egg" 051NH ALFA performs. I also sent for another NHR v2 just in case the first one really is defective in signal/strength. ( But I doubt it ). Remember I'm mostly a Windows driver tweakster, not a Linux freak..., but actually I cut my teeth on AmigaOS, and 8-bit stuff many moons ago also.
Dear Kevsamiga, What's your experience with sudden poweroffs? During my ~10 days with an NHA, I've experienced maybe 100 unexpected poweroffs. This phenomenon seems to be quite well documented on the web. If you have such experience, how do you explain it and did you do anything about it? Cheers.
Does using the 7.7.0.105 XP driver in the AR9271 thread (forced onto Win7 if you like) + powered usb hub not stop the random power offs ? It does for me... The 9271 when powers up starts off in usb mass storage mode, and driver has to switch it into wifi mode, some of these adapters come with nand flash containing the drivers ect. Since the NHA doesn't have any nand flash or no usb mass storage device, I think there is a bug in the Vista+ drivers that kicks it out of wifi mode from time to time. To install the XP drivers on Win7, you will have to delete some entries from the services section of the registry if you had the Win7 ones installed before. It's all explained in that thread.
I didn't see any USB storage mode on this one. I'm on Win 8, would you dare to use the XP drivers there ever? =) Great idea! So the present version of Linux I use is also buggy and disconnects it all the time however that's documented elsewhere and I should check that bug separately too. Thanks!
Well if your on Windows 8 no wonder the wifi problems...I wouldn't dare to use XP driver on 8, no because I have no plans to ever touch Windows 8 again with a bargepole. NDIS has changed on 8/8.1 signifigantly, along with harder clampdown of patch guard stopping modding the drivers. Drivers aren't as mature yet as 7, or xp's. Everybody is still waiting for an 8.1 036NH driver (due to be released soon).
From reading this thread very thoroughly this is what I have surmised: The NHA is the best all-rounder if you have to use 11n. It has lower "power" but more "sensitivity" which means networks will show up with a weak signal but when you use these networks your connection is faster and more stable than the H and NH. The NHR v2 has lots of issues that make it unreliable and it also burns out and becomes useless. It has high sensitivity and high power but the various issues that plague it means it pretty much sucks. Have I made any serious errors here? Also a couple of questions of my own: 1. You mention that the NH comes second in distance testing but only in 11b mode. How does it measure up against the others in 11n mode? 2. Has the NHR become reliable enough now to be like a NHA with better power or does it still kinda suck? 3. If I want to get a signal from 60 meters away, through a concrete exterior wall and then through a window, which one will do the job best? My laptop wifi card can just about pick the signal up with the window open but I want an actual fast and usable connection. Here is a picture of the house from which the AP is broadcast. http://i.imgur.com/7BbaqdX.jpg The router is just inside the door which is on the middle, ground floor, directly behind that little tree. There is nothing else in the way. The little tree can be gotten rid of if absolutely necessary or the router could be moved to an upstairs window. 4. I'd like the same card to be usable for cracking via packet injection if possible but its main job will be to get me the damn internet connection from that house. 5. What about the 051NH? Does it reach as far as the NH/H while providing the reliability of the NHA? Assuming 11n Thanks a lot for your pretty exhaustive information on these cars. Amazon reviews SUCK
I really should be in bed, but I'll answer briefly and to the point... 1. It's average in 11n behind NHA and NHR in that order speed wise, distance wise the NHR has the edge. Even if the signal is very low on the NHR, the link quality is always around 100%, there is a lot of fluctuation in the RX of the 036NH and the sensitivity figures are the lowest. It's still better than an 036H which can't handle 11n or interference well. 2. The jury is still out on the NHR V2, and it's still a problematic adapter, limited drivers, useless for Linux etc. 3. Any of them *should* be superior over an internal laptop card with low power and a tiny strip antenna built into the screen. 4. The NHA supports all 6 wireless modes in Linux, and you'll get the maximum speed with that and ability to have stable connections with low signal strengths. 5. 051NH is from 2009 and has been discontinued. It has it's place which is mimo and 5ghz. It is weak in G mode compared to the 036H. It would make sense to add a 7dbi panel to the shopping list for any of the ALFA's as the Omni's reduce in range when the weather changes or night falls. Don't bother with 9dbi Omni's just makes the problem worse - Signal capture goes up, SNR goes down. Connect but nothing coming down the pipe if the conditions turn bad. You could always wait it out for an 036NHV, or if you want to save some pennies first before taking a plunge on something more expensive give this one a go on the cheap before blowing money on an ALFA, has around a 10dbi panel built in. It might just do what your looking for in N mode. They don't have anywhere near the transmit power of an ALFA, but the reception is great (I have x2) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-Ad...&ie=UTF8&qid=1399090536&sr=1-1&keywords=950wn It has the same chip as my 036NH, but outranges it, and it's plug and play in Linux. £10
There are so many subtle differences here it's crazy.... If you were me, and you wanted to get that signal from that house to that window in order to make it usable as an everyday internet connection on a Windows 7 laptop, which one would you pick? Forget linux compatability and anything else I might want to do with it. Pure and simple use of neighbours wifi for streaming music and video and surfing. Please just tell me which one to buy! I've been reading for HOURS and it feels like I'm going in circles...
It's difficult as there is no "one size fits all" golden egg adapter, master of all. It depends what your goals are, and all adapters get different results at different times of the day depending on various conditions because microwave propagation is not a perfect science to be calculated with 100% accuracy, hence generalisations. But..........if I were you and I only had one to pick for the money, for a "usable stable connection" with most of N speed would be an NHA. If I wanted to be sure of the transmit power to that house it would be an NHR (2nd in speed, 1st in output power). Either of those, fitted with a directional panel for the extra punch. Job done, and if it isn't then your looking at higher dbi antenna's. But remember as much depends on how crap a Zyxel is at transmitting with low dbi antenna's and where it is positioned at the other end as well as your end transmitting to it. BOTH ends have to be reliable for a successful link. But since you already get the signal with the laptop hanging out the starlight window I will say this... I don't really see a problem with that massively improved upon setup over a builtin laptop antenna. I can see a school outside my window at a height less than your roof window, and still hit it and potentially connect (not that I have), at least 100m not 50m with all my ALFA adapters through at least 3 concrete walls with the 7dbi panels attached (with the exception of the newer drivers for 036NHR which are crap for power output but on 1012.1 fine), so you should be ok. Tip : Side with Logo on is the hot side to be turned towards AP. You may find after doing this setup, that you don't even need the "window" anymore or having to dangle the laptop out of it. The previously non existent signal might magically appear through the wall, as the sensitivity of either adapter is already high. ;-) They won't do "miles" or anything like as claimed, but they will see more networks that laptop won't and increase usable range radius. Around 30-50 networks on a good day in urban areas depending on AP density and adapter placement. Let me know how things work out for you...bye.
....And are you using the Windows XP drivers forced onto another OS ? The native Vista/7 NHA drivers don't have the same range/output as the XP ones for some reason. That, and the adapter shuts down at random every other day or so requiring a re-plug using those. TP-Link WN722N drops on these drivers also, that's how I know it's not a hardware issue.
alouty, I have the same experience with humidity - it does a great job however occasionally drops both the USB device and the connection. Primarily the USB device. Am on Windows 8.1 Pro and the drivers there don't have any settings, so the question for refinement for me, apart from getting a better antenna, would be if there's some magic connection robustness settings available in Linux. Kevsamiga, thanks for these pointers regarding Windows XP. I'll try to install it inside VMWare and give it USB Passthrough to the AWUS036NHA and we'll see if/what difference it makes --- Double Post Merged, 30 May 2014 --- Dear Kevsamiga, Can you please clarify which is the forum post where the latest Windows XP drivers for the AWUS036NHA is published? Also, were any particular tricks for how to use it or associated utilities published anywhere? I've read much enough positive things about that the Windows XP drivers for the AWUS036NHA would provide the best power and performance, so I just need to try it within a VMWare virtual machine using USB passthrough, as a gateway. Thanks!!
--- Double Post Merged, 17 Oct 2014 --- Great report on the Alfa range of adapters, your report is what made me come to this forum, the only thing I could say is, is there any info on the Alfa AWUS036AC because even on the Alfa site there is very little info regarding its spec
I can't do anything written up about the 036AC. I don't plan to buy it, own it, or really have any use for it. I would get less speed than optimal anyway potentially since I only have USB 2.0 ports which are below the maximum capable speed of the adapter. So any review wouldn't be a fair opinion since it's speed on my system wouldn't be able to be fully evaluated. So unfortunately, someone else would have to chime in about their experiences with 036AC and using USB 3 ports.
Out of interest, the dock that comes with the AWUS036AC is USB 2.0! So to get max performance you have to use it without the dock or you are automatically limited to USB2.0 speeds.
So what is going to be ALFA’s new 2.4ghz - 5 - 5.8ghz power plant, not the AWUS051NH (discontinued) I think it makes sense to develop the AC into a real beast, from what I have read about the chip from other companies using this device in there Wifi USB devices, it’s a very sensitive but only a low power output unit, it does however cover all the frequency’s needed for 2.4ghz and 5 – 5.8ghz, I wonder!!! What if they use the same chip and use that to power a larger amp up to say 1500 mw also include 2 or more antenna connections, had over 6 operational modes, now this would be a device worth having What if you went even further and dumped some memory and a mini router on it with openWRT The open source software on it can handle any drive problems, you would set it up using any OS with a browser, it would make the pineapple look like a kids toy.
