how to know the approx range of a wireless access point before I buy it?

Ahmed Alamassi

Reputable
May 18, 2015
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4,510
like this wa7210N
http://www.tplink.ca/en/products/details/?categoryid=215&model=TL-WA7210N

I have to connect to a WISP that is 1km far from me.

I live gaza and the nanostation m2 costs 205$ and the loco version is 30$ cheaper , which is very expensive
this tp-link wa721N is much cheaper it's about 65$ in my country
But I don't know the range of it , tp-link site only say's it's Antenna is 12dBi
the wisp uses nanostation m2 to broadcast there wifi

is the dBi thing is the only thing important for wifi range ??
I know many sites write that wa721N range is 15km but I think that's for external antenna , I wanted to know the range with th internel antenna

note : there is no trees or buildings , I have clear line of sight for my wisp.
 

Botnus

Distinguished
Jun 10, 2012
90
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18,665
If you look up the wireless IEEE standard (In this case "802.11b, 802.11g, or 802.11n", recommended use is 802.11n) you should be able to find the WAPs maximum range. In this case, 802.11n is rated for a maximum range of about 300 feet (90.9 meters)

http://blog.cabstechservices.com/wireless-networking-with-802-11n/