How to Attach a High-Gain Antenna to a Router (And Which One to Buy)
If you’re experiencing weak Wi-Fi signals in certain areas of your home or office, attaching a high-gain antenna to your router can improve the coverage and performance of your wireless network. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of attaching a high-gain antenna to your router, and we’ll also recommend some of the best high-gain antennas available in the market.
Before we get started, it’s important to note that not all routers are compatible with external antennas. You need to check your router’s manual or specifications to see if it supports detachable antennas or not. If your router doesn’t support external antennas, you won’t be able to attach a high-gain antenna to it.
Assuming your router does support external antennas, the first step is to purchase a compatible high-gain antenna. There are different types of high-gain antennas available in the market, such as omnidirectional antennas, directional antennas, and sector antennas. The choice of antenna depends on your specific needs and the layout of your home or office.
Omnidirectional antennas are ideal for covering a large area, and they work best in open spaces. They are designed to send signals in all directions, so they can penetrate walls and other obstacles to some extent. If you have a multi-story home or office with several rooms, an omnidirectional antenna may be a good choice.
Directional antennas, on the other hand, are designed to focus the signal in a specific direction. They are ideal for long-range connections and point-to-point links. Directional antennas are typically used in outdoor setups or in large indoor spaces, such as warehouses or factories.
Sector antennas are a type of directional antenna that cover a specific sector of an area. They are ideal for outdoor setups where you need to cover a certain part of a neighborhood or building. Sector antennas can also be used in indoor setups, such as hotels or hospitals, where you need to cover a certain floor or wing.
Once you have chosen the type of antenna that best suits your needs, it’s time to attach it to your router. Most high-gain antennas come with a connector that fits into a standard RP-SMA jack on the router. You simply need to unscrew the stock antenna from the router and replace it with the high-gain antenna. Be careful not to overtighten the antenna, as it could damage the connector on the router.
After attaching the high-gain antenna, you should notice an immediate improvement in the signal strength and coverage of your wireless network. However, keep in mind that signals can still be blocked by obstacles such as walls, doors, and floors, so you may need to adjust the placement or orientation of the antenna to find the best signal.
Some of the best high-gain antennas available in the market include:
1. TP-Link TL-ANT2415D – This is a 15dBi omnidirectional antenna that can cover up to 2 miles in an open area. It’s ideal for large homes or offices with multiple floors.
2. Alfa 9dBi WiFi Booster – This is an omnidirectional antenna that can boost your wireless signal by up to 20 times. It’s ideal for small to medium sized homes or offices.
3. Ubiquiti airMAX Dual-Band Omni Antenna – This is a 10dBi omnidirectional antenna that can operate on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. It’s ideal for outdoor setups or large indoor spaces.
Whatever antenna you choose, make sure to do your research and pick the one that best suits your needs. Attaching a high-gain antenna to your router can dramatically improve the coverage and performance of your wireless network, so it’s definitely worth the investment.