Suggestions for setup? Antenna Question

[dudemanmax]

Mainly I'm wondering what dBi an antenna has to be in order to give a good omni directional range to a very open area (with no major interferance). Ideally the range would go .5 to 1 mile omni directional. Or .5 to 1 mile in one direction and about 300 feet in the other direction. a couple more details below:

I have a D-Link 4300 wireless router and am looking into purchasing a larger antenna to mount on the outside of the building. we have several buildings within half to a full mile in different directions of the router, its all very open, no major obstacles like trees or anything. though some of the buildings are much higher in elevation, because they are on a large hill. Our closest neighbors are at least 3 miles away on the other side of pretty much a mountain... so theres no risk of interferance really.

Basically I don't know anything about antennas, and am looking for an antenna that's compatible with our router, but has a good range for what i described above.

any suggestions?

thanks!
max

 

[blue68f100]

This site may be of use to you. http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/24ghz_amplifiers.php

 

[jjw]

Ask FredWeston:

See Fred's post...

 

[jjw]

I have a D-Link 4300 wireless router...

Basically I don't know anything about antennas, and am looking for an antenna that's compatible with our router, but has a good range for what i described above.

any suggestions?

thanks!
max

Can you 'upgrade' the antenna on the 4300? Are the current antenna(s) removable? If so then you are set.

For that kind of range you might be able to get by without an amplifier.

The short lesson in antenna is as follows:

If an antenna radiated perfectly evenly in all direction the gain would be 1.

Antennas are designed to 'focus' their energy to increase the gain.

An omni directional antenna focuses the energy in a flat disk like pattern in all directions (360 degrees)

A directional antenna focuses the energy in one direction.