Do high gain wifi antennas work?

Are you having constant problems with your wireless network? One of the solutions that can help you get a stronger wifi signal across a long-range is investing in a high gain antenna.

This is an add-on device that you can purchase to enhance the range of the router. According to most users, high gain wifi antennas work as expected. Such antennas can, however, work differently based on the application. For instance, you can use a high gain antenna to extend the wifi range long distances. Here is everything you should learn before investing in a high gain antenna.

Introduction to power gain in wifi antennas

Power gain refers to the wifi strength that an antenna can provide. This measurement indicates how effective an antenna is. Power gain can be measured in DBi. When an antenna has a great DBI value, it shows that it has a long wifi range. High gain wifi antennas, therefore, have high DBI values and can therefore extend the range further. Though some of the wifi antennas use dBd, dBi still remains the standard measure.

Why do people install high gain wifi antennas?

Though most routers come with internal antennas, these components can sometimes struggle to extend the wifi signal across a large space. A high gain wifi antenna is an external device that you can get to increase the broadcast range. Installing it can ensure that every room in the house receives wifi regardless of how far it is from the router.

Apart from increasing the broadcast range, installing a high gain wifi antenna can also help you enjoy faster wifi speeds. It works on increasing the overall throughput and is therefore quite efficient. Upgrading your wireless network with a high gain antenna can help boost the connectivity with every internet-enabled device connected to the network. It can resolve most of the signal issues you have probably been dealing with in the past.

Many people also add this device to their wireless networks since it offers precise control. You can either choose an omnidirectional or directional high gain antenna. An omnidirectional high gain antenna can transmit signals in all directions, thus offer comprehensive wifi coverage. Some people, however, prefer choosing the directional high gain antennae. This transmits wifi signals in a particular direction. When you choose this option, you can position it such that it directs the signal to the weakest spot in your home.

This high gain wifi antennae can, therefore, create a better coverage distance. Since this antenna focuses all its energy in one particular direction, it controls the broadcast’s direction. A directional high gain antenna is suitable for extended wifi range deployment. It can help extend the wifi network even in the hard to reach corners of a building.

When you start exploring the world of external antennas, you will soon find out how diverse it is. Apart from the two main types, high gain antennas also come in more varieties. If, for instance, you want one that can broadcast wifi signals over miles, you should focus on the parabolic antenna. This type of antenna is known to be extremely high gain. It comes with a dBi value of above 12 and can be used to extend the wifi range of most outdoor hotspots. Some of the DIYers have managed to create Yagi antennas, but this needs a lot of effort. If this is the kind of high gain antenna you need, you should consider purchasing one from a reputable source.

How you can attach the antenna to a router

Once you have found the right high gain wifi antennae, you should learn how to attach it. The attachment process can be easy based on the router model you are dealing with. The problem with some of the routers is that they lack detachable antennas and therefore do not offer customization options such as attaching high gain antennas. Before you spend your hard earn cash on these external antennas, you should therefore look at the specifications of your router to avoid disappointments.

Before you buy high gain antennas, you should look at the type of connectors your router uses. While some of the routers have the TNC connectors, others have SMA. You can find out the type of connectors your router uses by unscrewing the present antennas and checking this out. Once you have discovered the type of connectors that the router uses, you should now look for high gain antennas that match your requirements.

Apart from power gain, you should also pay attention to the radius support properties before settling for a particular antenna. After buying the high gain antenna, you can easily screw it into your router and enjoy a better wireless range. Checking compatibility before making the purchase is crucial since some high gain wifi antennas are believed to work better with certain router models than others.

Here are some of the high gain antennas you can consider

Name	DBI	Call to action
Alfa APA M-25	10	Check price here
GP electric set	9	Check price here
Alfa antenna SMA	9	Check price here

Conclusion

If you choose a properly designed high gain antenna, it should work properly. This is an external antenna that you can use to extend the wireless range. Most high gain antennas work well. They not only increase the broadcast range but also work on boosting the wifi speeds. Using such an antenna can ensure that every device on your network is always connected so that you can use them to access the internet without any issues.

FAQs

How should I place wifi antennas?

Proper positioning of wifi antennas can help you maximize their performance. Rather than placing them facing straight upwards, you should let position them at a 45-degree angle.

How many antennas should my router have?

Most routers come with internal antennas. It can have one, two, or three antennas. You can also add an external antenna to a router if you want to enjoy a better wifi range.