Wireless device output power ratings?

[SuperSix]

Is there a site that has the output power for popular routers?

I am looking at an EnGenius AP that advertises 400mw output - is that significantly higher than household router?

http://www.engeniustech.com/datacom/products/details.aspx?id=170

 

[JackMDS]

The common Entry Level Wireless Router/AP output is about 33mW.

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
The common Entry Level Wireless Router/AP output is about 33mW.

Wow.. That is quite a difference. I made a cursory search on some MFG sites - can't find output wattage.

What about the clients? For best performance with the EnGenius AP, should one use hi-powered desktop adapters as well?

Like these?
http://www.engeniustech.com/datacom/products/details.aspx?id=152

 

[SuperSix]

Actually, what I am finding is that most consumer level/home 802.11g routers are rated in dBm, Average seems to be about 18dBm.

Using this handy dBm > mWatt converter I found, http://h-peters.com/dbmtomw.html
it looks like the mW output of these units is about 63 mW.

Well under the EnGenius 400 mW output, which converts to 26dBm

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: SuperSix
Actually, what I am finding is that most consumer level/home 802.11g routers are rated in dBm, Average seems to be about 18dBm.

Using this handy dBm > mWatt converter I found, http://h-peters.com/dbmtomw.html
it looks like the mW output of these units is about 63 mW.

Well under the EnGenius 400 mW output, which converts to 26dBm

you have to account for more then just radio power. Antennas can add to that, you might have some cable loss if you have a cable to the antenna, etc.

Also, realize that depending on how much Dbi you get out, you could likely be violiating FCC standards. The FCC does not wardrive looking for higher then allowed signals, but a WISP may report you if you interfere with their service (we had another WISP doing this at one point, had to threaten to call the FCC before they would tame their radios down).

 

[Jeep4JB]

I use Engenius gear all the time and can get their 400mw APs to cover 10,000sq ft homes on a regular basis to give you an idea. Try doing that with a Linksys, Netgear, or D-Link!

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Jeep4JB
I use Engenius gear all the time and can get their 400mw APs to cover 10,000sq ft homes on a regular basis to give you an idea. Try doing that with a Linksys, Netgear, or D-Link!

But you can cover the area with few Entry Level units.

Few units would cost much less than the 400mW, and it will not Fry the Brain.:shocked:

 

[Zbox]

400mW is overkill, it's usually much more about intelligent usage of antennas. I've covered quite large office spaces with 1 or 2 WRT54Gs @ 28mW and proper high gain antennas.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Zbox
400mW is overkill, it's usually much more about intelligent usage of antennas. I've covered quite large office spaces with 1 or 2 WRT54Gs @ 28mW and proper high gain antennas.

Actually it's more about the quality of the radios. More power does not equal better.

 

[Zbox]

obviously good radios are a factor, but my point was that more power does not equal better.

 

[JackMDS]

Let put it this way.

Everything else equal, a regular 30mW unit provides better cleaner (S/N Ratio) signal at the point that it is, and the surrounding, than a Central powerful unit that is 100? indoor away.
Thus a network of few smartly placed regular units provides better Wireless.

However under certain circumstances there is No other choice, but to use one central powerful unit.

If this is so, then one should use whatever he/she needs. But one should know the score, and be a ?Man/Woman?, Not deluding him/her self as though they have better system.

 

[Jeep4JB]

I usually don't crank them all the way to 400mW anyways unless absolutely necessary. Obviously it quickly becomes a matter of creating additional noise and not getting a better signal because of the excessive noise. However I prefer to use a single AP when possible because of the irregularity I've seen with PCs and Macs when roaming from one AP to another. It's not always seamless and w/o issue.

Just my 2 cents but obviously we all have our ways we like to do things!