Due to where where my router is placed and where my PC is I have been getting bad reception between the two. The router is in one room, there are 2 walls and doors between it and the PC and the Wi-Fi PCI card is in the back of the PC. Average connection is 3 bars out of 5 with common drops to 2 bars at which point the internet connection drops offline. Major pain in the a*** when in the middle of a download or streaming movie.
So I decided to try one of these extension antennas. I went with TP-LINK for 3 reasons. 1) It was cheap 2) My WI-FI card is also TP-LINK 3) No software was needed.
I removed 1 of the 3 small antennas from the WI-FI card, attached the extension cabe and plugged in the antenna, which is 11 1/2 inches high although it does have a joint at the bottom so it can be angled as I see fit. The base is actually very solidly made and the double magnets embedded in it are plenty strong enough to stick it to the top of the case itself without fear of it ever moving.
The difference in connection?
I now have a full 5 bars on the connection icon at all times. Strong signal with no drop-outs or degradation in connection speed.
Result?
No more problems. I am well pleased with the result, especially as my router is a standard one from my ISP and so has only an internal antenna. (My expensive TP-LINK, triple-antenna dual-channel router went kaput and refused to recognize the internet. Inconveniently about 1 month after the guarantee ran out.)
I can highly recommend this item if the signal from your router is a bit weak or unstable due to variations.
| Brand | TP-Link |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 5 x 5 x 20.1 cm; 150 Grams |
| Item model number | TL-ANT2408C(UK) |
| Manufacturer | KOMQI |
| Wireless Type | 802.11a |
| Are Batteries Included | No |
| Item Weight | 150 g |
