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Question

Need advice on wireless antenna/router

Aug 3, 2013 3:43AM PDT

Question:
Is there a wireless router than can be used with a USB wireless antenna?

Situation:
My mom lives in a retirement community in TX that offers free Wifi. Unfortunately she lives too far away from the reception and therefore pays for a cable company internet connection. To save money, she has bought a wireless antenna http://www.firststreetonline.com/Electronics+amp+Gadgets/Computer+amp+Office/Super+WiFi+Antenna.axd. She did this without consulting anyone - I told her that after looking at the specs, this is a wireless antenna that can probably pick up the signal, but that it requires a USB port that her iPad doesn't have but her Netbook does (even though the literature seems to say you may need 2 USB ports to power the antenna.

So my question is, can I plug the antenna to some type of USB enabled wireless router that any device can receive (Netbook, iPad).?

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
What is an USB wireless antenna?
Aug 3, 2013 6:43AM PDT

I would have to guess you meant some USB adapter with WiFi and antenna but that's me guessing.

Now if you wanted to create some Client bridge to your own router that's another thing altogether. For example you could get a WiFi Ethernet Client and wire that to a common router LAN port (google this -> How to use a router as a WAP) to create a system wither the WiFi Ethernet Client is in the best location it can be and the Router (configured as a WAP) does the usual hot spot work.

There may be extenders out there but I find this too troublesome.
Good luck!
Bob

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Answer
Drivers Needed
Aug 4, 2013 4:51AM PDT

That USB antenna can only be used on a PC or Mac where appropriate drivers can be installed, not possible to do on a router.

Depending on the capabilities of the netbook, you might be able to use the antenna on that and use ICS to share the connection. Most will say ICS is difficult to set up, but I've done it on several occasions with little effort. You may want to test this antenna on a full fledged laptop to see if signal reception is adequate before fooling with the netbook.

Being that your mother lives too far away from the access point, most wireless solutions will likely be less than reliable. An enhanced wifi antenna on a wireless client device might be a better way to go.

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Answer
Hardwire hook up
Aug 7, 2013 12:53AM PDT

Just a thought but do they also have a hardwire hook up for the network at her location? Chances are not BUT IF they did, you might be able to use what is called a Wireless Access point at her location, again this would be a long shot.

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Reply
Aug 7, 2013 3:29AM PDT

Unfortunately there is no hardwire hook up at her specific location (1/3 mile away from main site). So basically, my mom has purchased an antenna that can receive WiFi signals up to a mile. That antenna is supposed to be connected to the PC (a small network) through a USB port (in fact the product website says 2 USB ports so it can get enough power).

Unfortunately, that means that her iPad (which doesn't have a USB port) will not be connected.

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Get your money back.
Aug 7, 2013 3:33AM PDT

I've yet to see such work at that distance without expert tuning, line of site and of course a host PC to do the last steps.

Did you test this thing on your PC?
Bob