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The Graveyard - Products No Longer Supported => Routers / COVR => DIR-825 => Topic started by: ima420r on January 12, 2013, 10:03:11 PM

Title: Thinking of getting extension cord for antenna, will it work?
Post by: ima420r on January 12, 2013, 10:03:11 PM
My DIR-825 is not in an ideal spot so I am thinking of getting an extension cable for the antenna (probably for both), drilling a little hole in a wall and mounting the antenna in a more central location. It really is just on the other side of a wall, maybe 5 feet total for distance, but in an open area where the signal should reach more of the house.

So is this a workable idea? Can I run a cable and attach the antennas five feet away from the device itself? Is there anything I should look for in an extension cable? Has anyone else tried this and how did it work?
Title: Re: Thinking of getting extension cord for antenna, will it work?
Post by: FurryNutz on January 12, 2013, 10:09:30 PM
How about trying a DLink DAP model unit as a extender or repeater to use with the 825?

You could also try a couple of these:
http://hawkingtech.com/products/wireless/antennas_and_boosters/hai7sip.html (http://hawkingtech.com/products/wireless/antennas_and_boosters/hai7sip.html)
Title: Re: Thinking of getting extension cord for antenna, will it work?
Post by: ima420r on January 12, 2013, 10:16:35 PM
I figured it would be best to move the antenna rather than get a new antenna, but I like the price of the one you linked to. An extension cord might still be cheaper, though.

Also, I already have my old DLink router hooked up tp this one, it's on the other end of a very long network cable so I can get wifi and have a few wired devices connected in a far off room.
Title: Re: Thinking of getting extension cord for antenna, will it work?
Post by: FurryNutz on January 12, 2013, 10:22:43 PM
I wouldn't recommend drilling holes and such into the router. Any chance you can move the router to a better location?

Let us know what you go with.

Title: Re: Thinking of getting extension cord for antenna, will it work?
Post by: ima420r on January 12, 2013, 10:28:11 PM
LOL. I am gonna drill a hole into the wall and mount the antenna on the other side, not into the router. :)
Title: Re: Thinking of getting extension cord for antenna, will it work?
Post by: FurryNutz on January 12, 2013, 10:31:54 PM
ah, gotcha. I presume this should work. You should take some pics for us so we can see the result...if possible.
Title: Re: Thinking of getting extension cord for antenna, will it work?
Post by: joebedford on January 14, 2013, 08:02:25 AM
Make sure you turn the power off before you drill a hole in the router!

Title: Re: Thinking of getting extension cord for antenna, will it work?
Post by: FurryNutz on January 14, 2013, 08:33:31 AM
He's not drilling a hold in the router, rather a mounting wall and installing a extension cable between the antenna that he wants to place elsewhere and the router. So hes not going to attached the antennas them selves to the router, just extending them from the router using a cable line.
Title: Re: Thinking of getting extension cord for antenna, will it work?
Post by: joebedford on January 15, 2013, 02:55:04 PM
Sorry. Forum software wouldn't let me insert a smiley.  ;D

(probably because I had java turned off for a day until I realized how many sites use it).
Title: Re: Thinking of getting extension cord for antenna, will it work?
Post by: FurryNutz on January 15, 2013, 04:16:56 PM
Ya, and since it been reported that Java has some cerious bug, not sure what sites are going to do. I presume they will get it fix and patched.

Sorry. Forum software wouldn't let me insert a smiley.  ;D

(probably because I had java turned off for a day until I realized how many sites use it).
Title: Re: Thinking of getting extension cord for antenna, will it work?
Post by: Just Checking on April 03, 2013, 09:11:22 PM
I just took off the standard 2db gain antennas from my DIR-825 Rev A and Rev B routers and replaced them with TP-Link 8db high gain antennas.  With these new antennas I am able to get -55db signal strength (5 bars) with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands at more than 20 meters away from the routers and through 5 solid walls and numerous pieces of metal and other stuff. 

The TP-Link antennas were US$9/each at Newegg.  I bought my Rev. A router from them for US$39 and bought a set of the antenna at the same time so I got a discount down to US$6.99 for each of the antenna that time.   One of the easiest and cheapest ways to upgrade a routers performance I ever made.   

You could also use an extension cable with these high gain antennas if you want.   I did that with a previous router and that worked.  IMO you should try the high gain antenna directly on the router before drilling holes in the wall (especially if it isn't your own home) and trying to route cables through the wall.  If you do decide to start drilling holes through the wall, be sure that you know what is inside the wall where you want to drill.  You will regret it if you cut through a power cable, ethernet, or phone cable.  You will really regret it if you cut into a natural gas line or water line.