yagi with extension

[socalicarguy]

any reason the signal strength drops to half when using an extension ? (20 ft ) trying to set it up outside but drastic signal loss when connected with an extension to a wrt router . any ideas?

[satchick]

Are you trying to extend the coaxial cable from the antenna? High frequencies such as those used by wireless internet are attenuated very quickly. What kind of cable are you using to make the extension?

One way to fix this is to mount the router in a weather tight enclosure, and run a cat5 cable into the house. You can use Power Over Ethernet adapters to supply power to the router as well. This is the ideal route to go, and probably the cheapest as well, proper cable (Times Microwave LMR-400) and connectors aren't cheap.

Oh, with an outdoor antenna you'll definitely want a proper ground for the mast, and a lightning arrestor on the data cable.

[Terryl]

For an extra 20 feet of coax at 2.5 GHz you going to need a booster or the cable loss alone will cause too much system loss, this may couner act the gain from the yagi.

Look for something like this.

http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/index.php?CatID=32&FamID=72

[MeSat_FTA]

As satchick said, the losses over cable are bad if you don't use the correct cable and connectors.

It has to be 52 ohm low loss cable. You can purchase low loss pre-made cables. I have seen cables at 6.6db for 100ft.

If your cable is giving you 3dB loss, that is half your power. Every 3dB is half power.

Each connector that you use will also introduce losses.

[Terryl]

If you can find the number off the coax you can look up its attenuation at 2.5 GHz here.


http://www.rfparts.com/coax_specs.html

[socalicarguy]

thanks for the replies , the set up consists of a yagi with sma connector and standards extension (not 100% sure on the quality )and a sma to tnc connector . when connected to the directly to the router the tnc adapter does not seem to add much loss . im sure having the router in an enclosed housing would be the best bet ( as Satchick stated) but not sure i want to go that router since i use the other ports for other devices .
Unfortunately the setup is an auto shop sheet metal building so i get no reception inside but when i set it up outside it works like a champ . i think i ll make sure the quality of the extension first then look into an amp
thanks again guys and gals for the replies .

[Terryl]

The best way to do this would be to get a WIFI extender, something like this.


http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/productlist.php?CatID=32&FamID=113&ProdID=403

One antenna input would be connected to the yagi, the other to an inside antenna, tons of signal this way.

[Green Thumb]

thanks for the replies , the set up consists of a yagi with sma connector and standards extension (not 100% sure on the quality )and a sma to tnc connector . when connected to the directly to the router the tnc adapter does not seem to add much loss . im sure having the router in an enclosed housing would be the best bet ( as Satchick stated) but not sure i want to go that router since i use the other ports for other devices .
Unfortunately the setup is an auto shop sheet metal building so i get no reception inside but when i set it up outside it works like a champ . i think i ll make sure the quality of the extension first then look into an amp
thanks again guys and gals for the replies .

No windows? A window can do the trick. I hade to use a vent ( covered with screen) under an eve in a garage up in the rafters inside the garage.

Best of luck

Green T

[socalicarguy]

No windows? A window can do the trick. I hade to use a vent ( covered with screen) under an eve in a garage up in the rafters inside the garage.

Best of luck

Green T

not sure if its a yagi being extra sensitive or a setting on dd wrt but when im anywhere inside the building even by a window the signal goes to almost zero when i take the router outside 70 percent gain

[satchick]

The best way to do this would be to get a WIFI extender, something like this.


http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/productlist.php?CatID=32&FamID=113&ProdID=403

One antenna input would be connected to the yagi, the other to an inside antenna, tons of signal this way.

Looks like that thing can function as an ethernet bridge as well, so you don't even need an inside antenna, just plug it into an ethernet port on the router.