External WiFi Antennas

External WiFi equipment takes the Internet out of the office and puts it in the park, at the bus stop and even in a courtyard at an office complex. With WiFi equipment specifically designed to provide internet connectivity in the outdoors, however, comes the need for longer range. A WiFi antenna that only serves people within 100 yards is hardly sufficient for a major network.

Long-Range External WiFi Antennas

The most common long-range external WiFi equipment option is the dish, or parabolic antenna. Dish antennas are almost universally external, and they are known for having categorically longer ranges than any other antenna. Even the most basic dish antenna can provide a strong signal over distances beyond 10 miles.

Mesh antennas are relative newcomers, but are quickly becoming a prized choice when setting up a WiFi network. Mesh antennas provide long-range support for WiFi networks, and are inexpensive equipment options in comparison to other choices. This is both because of their low power consumption and because they can be operated using solar power alone.

Important External WiFi Equipment Specifications

In order to get the best external WiFi equipment for your needs, keep these important specifications and features in mind:

• Gain: basically, the directional signal strength
• Frequency: the antenna’s range in Hertz (Mhz or Ghz, for example)
• Impedence: the signal lost as it passes from point to point
• Polarization: the orientation of the signal and the direction it covers
• Shielding: the presence of grounding wires and/or a radome

When you’re creating your network, speak to the experts here to help you determine the right equipment for your needs.

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