External WiFi antenna has no effect!

[alexmust]

I have a problem! I bought an external antenna for my Wireless router - 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g and i tried to connect it. I read the manual which was written that antenna has 12 dB of power. And my native has 4-5 dB. Manufacturer writes that power of range will be increase about 5 X!!!!!!! But I still can't see the difference! My new and my old antennas work equal (it's range). What is the problem? Thank you!

 

[thiggins]

There are many factors that determine wireless range. Router antenna gain is only one.

I would need more details to comment further. Make and model # of router and antenna to start.

 

[stevech]

I have a problem! I bought an external antenna for my Wireless router - 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g and i tried to connect it. I read the manual which was written that antenna has 12 dB of power. And my native has 4-5 dB. Manufacturer writes that power of range will be increase about 5 X!!!!!!! But I still can't see the difference! My new and my old antennas work equal (it's range). What is the problem? Thank you!

Your b/g router may behave as I've seen others do:
It will choose an antenna with an adequate signal. It won't assuredly choose the antenna with the best signal (fastest rate). This is switched diversity as in 11b/g products. If you disconnect the second antenna, you may see the benefit of that 12dB. If that 12dBi is a flat patch antenna, it is of course directional horizontally, around the compass. If that antenna is a rod, not directional on the horizontal, then it's directional on the vertical. That means it has a radiation pattern like a doughnut- and you'll see a benefit *if* you are within the doughnut. Too high/low, like 10 degrees or so, it won't be the full 12 dB gain.

Be sure you don't have an antenna coax longer than 1 ft. or so. Be sure also that the connectors are the correct type to mate properly.

Lastly, if your antenna is a 12dBi rod-like omni on the horizontal (doughnut pattern), it should be about 3-4 ft. long. If it's half that, then the seller misrepresented the gain. A 20 inch rod at 2.4GHz is about 6-9dB. That's not much, compared to the 60 dB or more of loss in a 100 ft path.