Linksys WSB 824 Wireless Signal Booster

Are these really any good and can they be tweaked to perform better on the

TX as well as the RX side?  I just bought one and when it gets here I'll try to do some

tests but I wonder how others have used these?  If you turn off diversity does it up the power on one side or is this just a brick amp?

I had hoped to place this in a weather tight case on the new club tower with a WRT54GL and one or two antennas.

Anything on these would help.  Thanks!

Ronny

K4RJJ

The Linksys signal booster mentioned does boost the signal a bit, but as it comes out of the booster, one antenna is TX only and the other is RX only.    A quick search with Google of the model number will bring up a diagram showing the basics of what are in the box.

Unless your specific configuration can make good use of different TX and RX antennas, this booster could be more trouble than it is worth.  No diversity mode with this unit.

-Glenn, KD5MFW

Test of Linksys WSB24 (1/4 Watt)

The signal booster appears to be two independent, non switched, amplifiers.

* Receive preamp output overloads and outputs spurs at –20 dBm input.

Left rear is transmit, Right rear is Receive.

Caution: The unit is powered with 5 volts. Twelve volts will blow unit.

VERY good info.  I read about the 5vdc and I plan to make a supply out of a LM2576 regulator and a few other components as a regular 7805 will not handle the amperage with any extra overhead.

If you really feel a RF amp is needed for your link, you might consider using a Hawking hi-gain hsb2 wifi signal booster.  It runs off of 12 VDC.  It is a bi-directional amp - both tx and rx and it auto switches as needed.  There are a variety of similar RF amps available.  Be sure you are real clear on what it is you want to do before choosing one.  With good directional antennas we regularly link 10 miles at will with NO RF amps using the WRT54G.  One of the biggest fears of the weak signal hams is for the HSMM hams putting a bunch of RF amps on the air when they may not be needed, and raising the noise floor for all.  The system can be used many ways, try to get by with as little power as you can and still hold the link.  KD5MFW

Before you set up a mesh node at a fixed location, consider getting a free copy of inSSIDer wi-fi survey software that will work on a windows PC with a wi-fi adapter.  It will show you what else is on the air there.

A Google search for inSSIDer will find the down-load location for you.  It is informative and fun to watch.   -KD5MFW

Yes, we have have problems getting equipment set up on towers and rooftops.  That is a challenge if you use directional antennas as they usually need tweaking.  The Hawking amp is easier to use than the older Linksys unit in most situations.  The microwave systems can take more tweaking than a VHF radio.  Good luck and let us know how it goes.  We try to use similar gear at each site, but each one ends up being a bit custom and we learn things from each and every  install. KD5MFW

Use some path planning software like Radio Mobile to add up antenna gains, coax loss etc to plan your path.

I get antennas form fab-corp.com and titanwireless.com

KD5MFW