Antenna choice for WiFi adapter

[thepaladintech]

Wanted to ask you, is technically possible to run like a 16dbi yagi/grid antenna on TP-link WN7200ND adapter? its a 500mW adapter as much as i know, and those antennas (especially grid ones) look somewhat huge...

 

[kanewolf]

Maybe, it looks like a standard coax port on the adapter. But if you are using a USB adapter and a high gain antenna, why not use a directional WIFI bridge and an ethernet cable? Something like this -- https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833168115
If the 8db directional antenna in one of those isn't enough, then your grid antenna may not work either.

 

[thepaladintech]

Maybe, it looks like a standard coax port on the adapter. But if you are using a USB adapter and a high gain antenna, why not use a directional WIFI bridge and an ethernet cable? Something like this -- https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833168115
If the 8db directional antenna in one of those isn't enough, then your grid antenna may not work either.

For what i need it, bridge is not an option. I'm just asking like whats the highest gain I could use with this adapter

 

[bill001g]

The radio can't be 500mw when they use 5db gain antenna..it would put them far over the 1watt limit. It is likely closer to 250mw but the actual output power varies a lot depending on the radio encoding used and the channels. Some are more and some are less. It is not legal to do what you propose but it does not appear the FCC does much enforcement of the law.

It likely uses the standard rp-sma connector....the exact connector they invented to make it harder to use after market antenna.

Be careful to use the shortest cable you can and use the best quality microwave cable you can afford. Although not extremely expensive the cost of this cable is part of the reason you see bridge devices with all the electronics built into the antenna for not much more than just the antennas.