In the most recent episode of the Trucker Tech podcast I talk a bit about WiFi signal boosting adapters, antennas, and such. Most standard WiFi radio cards, whether they're integrated or external, are of fairly low power (32 to 63 mW). Couple the low transmit power with an antenna rated at 2 or 3 dBi, as are most, and the likelihood that you'll be making a Wi-Fi connection from the back row of any truck stop is roughly equal to the chances that the Powerball ticket you just bought will put you on "Easy Street".
One of the many high-power adapters that I failed to include in the podcast, that certainly deserves mention and attention, is the EnGenius EUB-362 EXT.
EnGenius is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Senao International and, not surprisingly, one of the WiFi card and antenna combinations mentioned in the podcast included a card manufactured by Senao. Two traits common in Senao adapters are the inclusion of a high-power radio transmitter and a removable antenna - allowing for the attachment of a high-gain antenna in its place.
What I Like
This adapter, like most gadgets, has both good points and bad. Among the things I really like about the EUB-362 EXT are its high transmit power, 320 mW (ten times that of most standard adapters), the use of an Atheros chipset (for improved signal reception sensitivity), a removable antenna (allowing for the connection of a high-gain directional or omni-directional model), being built to the 802.11g standard, rather than .11b, and Super G capability (meaning Multiple In Multiple Out transmit/receive).
This particular long-range WiFi solution also has two other highly important attributes in its favor; the cost is very reasonable and, especially when compared to other signal boosting solutions, it's simple to set up, use and store. The removable low-gain antenna, instead of an included high-gain antenna, is a good move on the part of EnGenius since the end-user (that's you and me) can then decide just how much gain we want to incorporate and, further, we can decide to use either an omni-directional or directional antenna. I know, it means additional expense but the ability to choose that which works best for you is a big plus in my book.
What I Like Less
The quibbles I have are minor: Yeah, I know, I just put "high transmit power" at the top of the list of things I like but I'm not so sure the earlier iteration, with a still quite high 200mW of power, wasn't maybe a bit better. Here's why: the ability to transmit is important but of equal importance is the ability to receive. Screaming louder than anyone else is of little value if you can't hear the reply and, since the total transmit/receive power is regulated by the FCC, higher transmit power means lower antenna gain; assuming regulations and common courtesy are of any importance to you.
Of course, transmit and receive power needn't be and rarely are perfectly balanced; power, in my opinion, is ideally higher than antenna gain. The other minor quibble is with the design. I'd have really liked this adapter a bit better if it had been designed less like a desktop peripheral and more like a laptop peripheral. Meaning: I'd like it better if I could mount it; either on my laptop or, for example, on a window in my cab or sleeper.
Conclusion
All in all I think this high-power WiFi adapter has great potential. Yeah, it lacks a clever method of mounting (although there is this) and I think it might be a bit over-powered but, still, the positive attributes seem to far outweigh the negatives - and it's head and shoulders above most other long-range WiFi solutions.
We also have a truck wifi kit with 7dbi mag mount antenna here..
http://keenansystems.com/Engenius_wifi_setup_for_rv_parks_and_truck_stops.htm
Posted by: jeff keenan | March 03, 2008 at 08:05 AM
They now have a clip that attaches the device to the monitor of a laptop, it comes with the newer units.
Posted by: Chris Thomas | February 13, 2009 at 08:15 AM