Antenna - is it worth it ?

[bb_matt]

I've been toying with the idea of getting an Antenna, but I'm wondering whether it's a waste of money ?

First of all, I've been online for 12 days now with no issues aside from the modem disconnecting once. I simply reconnected 2 seconds later.

I get a 20% to 22% signal with the pringles can trick, 16% without.

Download speeds are 14k and above, average 12k.
Got the modem hooked up to a firewall.

What real difference would a stronger signal make ?
If it means solid ping times for FPS gaming then I could see it being worthwhile, but from what I've read, it's still not possible to play FPS games reliably and possibly never will be due to the nature of the connection.

So, an Antenna is a waste of money in my circumstances ?

 

[flashvc]

bb_matt, IMO an antenna is a waste of money if you're connecting/downloading fine.

Like you say, unless game pings will improve with stronger signal (which I've yet to see), don't bother, save the money for a rainy day []

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[ProAsm]

I would suggest an antenna but dont spend any big money on it.
There is enough information atm between RoDent's and my websites for you to build yourself something decent that will get you up to around 30% or more signal and there's no rush.
The reason I say this is atm our rainy season is over and no one sees the signal drops anymore. These signal drops are caused by the walls and windows getting soaking wet and hence your signal drops drastically and depending on what you have in the first place could dissapear altogether.
With an outside antenna and in pouring rain, your signal only drops by 1% or 2%.


<hr noshade size="1"><center><font color="blue">MyWireless Stuff</font id="blue">
<font size="1"><font color="black">The opinions expressed here are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of my employer</font id="size1"></font id="black"></center>

 

[TrXtR]

I bought that antenna from fastcom.
Now my modem doesnt have to be stuck to the window anymore
Anyways, I do not see a ping change with signal % increase.
I always get roundabout 100ms ping. And well, I'm not a big believer of this antenna thing hehe. Anyways

 

[Super]

My modem has been in the exact same spot for about 2 weeks now, only 3 LED's on (probably about 10% signal), but on the odd occasion I see 4, and I do not disconnect and d/l speeds are still averaging 25-30 kB/s (256k package). One (rainy) day I might experiment with a tin can or something if I really get the urge, as I know I will get a better signal with an external antenna [] .

 

[bb_matt]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by ProAsm</i>
<br />I would suggest an antenna but dont spend any big money on it.
There is enough information atm between RoDent's and my websites for you to build yourself something decent that will get you up to around 30% or more signal and there's no rush.
The reason I say this is atm our rainy season is over and no one sees the signal drops anymore. These signal drops are caused by the walls and windows getting soaking wet and hence your signal drops drastically and depending on what you have in the first place could dissapear altogether.
With an outside antenna and in pouring rain, your signal only drops by 1% or 2%.


<hr noshade size="1"><center><font color="blue">MyWireless Stuff</font id="blue">
<font size="1"><font color="black">The opinions expressed here are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of my employer</font id="size1"></font id="black"></center>
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Thanks ProAsm - I'll take that advise to heart. As you mention, the rainy season is over in Gauteng and I must admit, it hasn't rained while I've been online yet. That gives me time to research Antennas and look for the cheapest/best parts.

I've checked your and rodents site out + there's a reasonable Antenna howto in last years PC Format SE.