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In order to provide the fastest, highest quality customer service please read the following on WiFi basics prior to submitting an inquiry. If you have any questions that aren't about signal range or number of users, proceed to contact us or try out our product adviser.

This info is only a guideline derived by user reports of real world performance. Find the iphone ap called Link Budget Plus or many others by searching signal propagation calculator and similar search words. In addition you can see our many FAQ and video tutorials on our site.


WiFi Range


High speed Wi-Fi demands a strong signal. All the outdoor antennas mentioned are (uni) Directional antennas. Omni Directional (a vertical stick or rod) antennas radiate in all directions along the ground and are best for use as a hotspot, or on mobile installations, or when you simply want to see the action in all directions at a fixed location. High speed Wi-Fi demands a strong signal. Speed drops with signal strength however even a weak signal should provide usable network speed. More high grade, expensive, professional grade wireless cards or APs will work better at low signal levels.

 

Range Expectations for an outdoor Wifi network in which you control both ends of the network
Expected Range

Equipment and Environmental Considerations

8 miles
Require high power cards or APs of at least 500mW and a 24 dB grid at one end and a 14 dB panel or 19dB grid at the other end, assuming full clean line of sight signal path.. If any obstruction is suspected then use 24dB grids on both ends. Any obstructions are less blocking if at least 1/3 of the distance down the signal path from the antennas. Elevation over ground is required due to earth curvature and ground effects on the signal. Absolute minimum we estimate at 60 feet up.
5 miles
Same as 8 above but antenna minimums are a 14dBi panel and the 19dBi grid.
3 miles
Same as 8 above but antenna minimums are a 14dBi panel on each end.
1 mile
Same as 8 above but antenna minimums are a 14dBi panel at one end and 5 dBi omni at other end.

 

Range Expectations for an outdoor Wifi network in which you control your end of the network and are getting a signal from a distant hotspot
Expected Range
Equipment and Environmental Considerations
8 miles
Probably impossible because hotspots designed for store and restaurant customers are designed to be limited to a small area using indoor antennas.
5 miles
Probably impossible because hotspots designed for store and restaurant customers are designed to be limited to a small area using indoor antennas.
3 miles
Require high power cards or APs of at least 500mW and a 24 dB grid, and an elevated direct line of sight into the weak indoor signal. This has a 50% success rate.
1 mile
Require high power cards or APs of at least 500mW and a 19 dB grid, and an elevated direct line of sight into the weak indoor signal. This has a 50% success rate.

Obstructions

Glass, fiberglass, plastics present little to moderate signal loss. Typical solid concrete walls especially with steel rods or stucco screens in them create a lot of loss. Wood walls less loss than concrete. Trees and foliage present heavy signal losses especially when more moisture is present. Signal path obstructions should be closest to center of the signal path as possible.

Its impossible to predict your distance range or success rate without knowing in great detail, the obstruction detail+ position, transmitter power, receiver threshold, antenna gain, cable and connector losses, antenna height over ground.


Number of Users


Single User: Add a wireless external card to your PC for greatly enhanced performance with the included small rubber antenna, compared to the low power radio and poor antenna in your laptop.

Multiple Users: Install our Alcon 2406 multi mode Access Point outside pointing at the signal source. use it in repeat mode and enjoy a weak signal out the back of it, or better yet connect an ethernet cable (300FT max) from it to your indoor AP and enjoy the wireless (or wired) signal in the house for all devices.

Please see the site FAQ and video tutorials for more details. If you still have a question after reading this feel free to contact us.