WiFi Ranting

[Alareth]

Can someone explain why it ISN'T standard practice for the manufacturers to put antenna jacks on PCMCIA Wi-Fi cards or on laptops with built in Wi-Fi?

I've got a nice 7dBi antenna here that would solve my connection issues at this location but nothing to connect it to.

At this time I can find no cards with a jack on any store shelf from any manufacturer. I know I could order one off the net somewhere, but it annoys me that it is the ONLY way to get one.

[Rob Lister]

Can someone explain why it ISN'T standard practice for the manufacturers to put antenna jacks on PCMCIA Wi-Fi cards or on laptops with built in Wi-Fi?

I've got a nice 7dBi antenna here that would solve my connection issues at this location but nothing to connect it to.

At this time I can find no cards with a jack on any store shelf from any manufacturer. I know I could order one off the net somewhere, but it annoys me that it is the ONLY way to get one.


One reason is the FCC. The device in your computer is tested for compliance using the standard, build-in antenna (usually no more than 3db). The way the FCC rules work, they are at risk if you use another higher gain antenna and it causes interference.

[bruto]

True, but they could put a little jack in, and the card would still be compliant, wouldn't it? You could even test it with some little antenna, and ensure that it is compliant, leaving it up to the user's imagination to violate the instructions and put a bigger antenna on it.

I would love to have an antenna on my wifi card. I have a cheap and simple little Belkin card that works just fine when within range, but when traveling it's often hard to find a connection, even in motels that supposedly have them running.

[illogical]

True, but they could put a little jack in, and the card would still be compliant, wouldn't it?

the FCC isn't stupid; evidence the restrictions on HF amps sold to amateurs. you have to jump through hoops to get some of the equipment aimed at military and police.

since Wifi is microwave, i'm not sure hacking an antenna is easy.

[Rob Lister]

True, but they could put a little jack in, and the card would still be compliant, wouldn't it? You could even test it with some little antenna, and ensure that it is compliant, leaving it up to the user's imagination to violate the instructions and put a bigger antenna on it.

.

emphasis mine. yes, they could, but that would involve a different and more extensive (read expensive) compliance testing protocol; this because the very existence of the jack implies end user determination of the antenna used.

The path of least resistance is build-in the antenna. Not only does this resolve the manufacturer of responsibility if you "hack" the design, it is cheaper in terms of testing (explained) and design (no need to compensate electronically for situations when no antenna is attached).

You can certainly get WiFi cards that have external jacks (re: cisco 3200 series WMIC), but they are more expensive.

eta: http://www.radiolabs.com/products/wireless/waverv2.php?PHPSESSID=3e13fe3bd46994eb662fc917da10 092c
but don't believe the hype.

[bruto]

emphasis mine. yes, they could, but that would involve a different and more extensive (read expensive) compliance testing protocol; this because the very existence of the jack implies end user determination of the antenna used.

The path of least resistance is build-in the antenna. Not only does this resolve the manufacturer of responsibility if you "hack" the design, it is cheaper in terms of testing (explained) and design (no need to compensate electronically for situations when no antenna is attached).

You can certainly get WiFi cards that have external jacks (re: cisco 3200 series WMIC), but they are more expensive.

eta: http://www.radiolabs.com/products/wireless/waverv2.php?PHPSESSID=3e13fe3bd46994eb662fc917da10 092c
but don't believe the hype.

OK, point taken, but I still wish they could figure out a way, perhaps to build in a better antenna with a little room for adjustment. I don't need ten times the reach of the card. Most of the time I need the range, it's a matter of a few feet or which way I turn the computer in the room. One and half times would be pretty nice, twice would be enough most of the time.

[slyjoe]

My company had wanted to increase the capabilities of a PCMCIA card with wireless. They technically could do it, but the safety guys went ballistic because the laptop might actually sit on someones lap. So engineering had to add an external antenna/jack, which drove up the cost by a lot.

In the end, it mostly comes down to money, for jacks, antennas, or testing as Rob pointed out.