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Topic: USB Wifi Booster Antenna  (Read 530 times) previous topic - next topic

USB Wifi Booster Antenna

The subject of wireless internet access came up recently and I didn't think it was appropriate to post this there but this is a great item for people with a Windows computer. You just plug it into your USB port and let Windows recognize and install it. It has about a 12' cord so you can place it near the window that's closest to the wifi signal. Great deal for 19.95. Works wherever there's free wifi like campgrounds, restaurants, your neighbor, etc. etc.
WiFi Antenna Long Distance Router Wireless Extender Booster Repeater USB | eBay
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: USB Wifi Booster Antenna

Reply #1 –
Mr. Slim,

The device is a wifi adapter, that does not use your built-in wifi adapter.

It will hopefully come with software driver that is written for your Windows operating system, which specifications do NOT mention it works with Windows 10.

Current built-in WiFi adapters usually have the latest features like 5.0 GHz and AC speeds, neither of which show to be supported by this adapter.

That all being said, having an adapter with a stronger / longer antenna is a good feature, and 5.0GHz is not necessary as 2.4GHz works ok. And even though it does not specify working with Windows 10, it may work, or a more current driver could be downloaded or automatically found by Windows.

The price is right and the benefits could be helpful.

Re: USB Wifi Booster Antenna

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Mr. Slim,

The device is a wifi adapter, that does not use your built-in wifi adapter.

It will hopefully come with software driver that is written for your Windows operating system, which specifications do NOT mention it works with Windows 10.

Current built-in WiFi adapters usually have the latest features like 5.0 GHz and AC speeds, neither of which show to be supported by this adapter.

That all being said, having an adapter with a stronger / longer antenna is a good feature, and 5.0GHz is not necessary as 2.4GHz works ok. And even though it does not specify working with Windows 10, it may work, or a more current driver could be downloaded or automatically found by Windows.

The price is right and the benefits could be helpful.
Hi Barry. I have used it with windoz 7 for several years and am currently (since yesterday) using it with windoz 10. In either case, you just plug it in and windoz installs it. In windoz 7, you need to go into networking and disable the built in adapter when you use it but that is not the case with windoz 10. Windoz 10 disables the built in adapter automatically.
The difference between this and the built in adapter is night and day. Being able to stream Hulu and Youtube over free wifi is priceless imho. Those who have unlimited data plans probably don't need something like this but Walmart shoppers can put it to good use. In some places I can pick and choose between the Walmart service, Burger King, Taco Bell, McDonalds and Starbucks.
*In my experience, Burger King has the best wifi. 

Oops. I just opened my network and internet settings and I have NOT been using the USB adapter. I was using the built in Intel Wi-Fi link. I DISABLED that and am now hooked up with the USB adapter. It is MUCH faster.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: USB Wifi Booster Antenna

Reply #3 –
Good news, thanks. . .

Since the adapter is all built in to the 'antenna' part, a wifi extension cable could extend the antenna to computer distance with no signal loss.

Since the adapter already comes with a maximum allowable USB cable length, special configurations are needed to extend.

Read this on extending USB cables:

USB Cable Length Limitations And How To Break Them

or      USB Cable Length Limitations And How To Break Them