Warning
If you are using an Apple Airport Extreme AP with the external antenna port don't buy the HG-XT11P antenna that Hyplerlink sells. My testing shows that these antennas give no increase in range or signal strength under ideal, open conditions. In fact, under most conditions signal strength was significantly less with the two antennas I tested. I think the the lack of signal gain could be caused by:
- The 5-6 foot long cable (loses about 2.5-3 dB)
- Splitting the wireless signal to allow for the dual diversity portion of the antenna (cuts the dB in half?)
When I contacted the company they acted almost as if they knew that this was the case and yet would not admit that they were selling a useless product. They blamed the Apple Airport entirely and said it was "non-standard" hardware. They also now have a $100 minimum order limit and a non-existant return policy (ie if you buy it you're stuck with it). Overall I was very disappointed with them.
Other
Good source of antennas and etc., although they aren't cheap. Check out their $40 15dBi special, though, because it is a *very* good deal.
http://www.hyperlinktech.com/ http://www.cmpter.com/
[MAY2002] A discount for Seattle Wireless members is available for products. The deal was arranged by Chuck Simmons (Thanx Chuck!). See the archived email message "Hyperlinktec discount for SeattleWireless" May 1, 2002 in the Talk List Archives for more info:
[MAR2003] There is a review of the RE-05U omnidirectional range extender antenna at SenaoCard. Note that not all of the antenna and parts sold at the Hyperlink website are gotten to via clicking. A notable example of this are the "range extender" antennae which have pretty good prices for those who like to bottom feed. Some useful URL to these range extender antennae are at SenaoCard.
What is a Hyperlink "range extender" antenna? Well, it basically is an antenna that doesn't need a PigTail. You order the antenna with the specific connector you need on the end of the cable as opposed to the typical way of ordering an antenna with a "N" connector and then using a PigTail to adapt the connector to your wireless card. Advantages are that it is cheaper to buy an all-in-one and you have less signal loss due to the added connectors while using a Pigtail.. Cons are that the coax is six feet long (signal loss) and that it is harder to share among different brands of cards/people without the "N" connector.
