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k2director · Feb 12, 2003, 09:34 PM

I want to get a wireless base station for my house, and figure it should be G compatible. So I'm looking at the new Airport Extreme base station, and then noticed a Linksys G base station (with 4 ethernet ports for hard wired computers), for only $135.

I know the Airport Extreme base station has USB printing, and that's nice but not essential. So I'm also wondering how important that antenna jack is on Apple's $250 Base station?? If you attach one of those Dr. Bot antennas, how much can you boost your Airport signal's range? By a really appreciable amount?

If so, that might be enough for me to get the $250 Apple model. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind saving some bucks and getting a Linksys.

Any help much appreciated....

real · Feb 28, 2003, 08:02 PM

Hey K2,

I had the same question but it seems nobody has any anwsers. Hope some come soon.

aaanorton · Mar 1, 2003, 10:16 AM

I could be wrong, but I don't think these are even shipping yet.
Why do you want a g set up?

scottiB · Mar 1, 2003, 10:21 AM

What range are we discussing? Will you routinely be more than 150 feet away from your basestation?

I have an the original, graphite station and have never had a problem with range (I have a rather small house, though): front porch, backyard, basement. To achieve 54Mb/sec throughput, I believe you need to be within 50 feet.

Check the Linksys specs, but I don't believe it supports AppleTalk printing (if that's important).

I set up an 11Mb Linksys basestation at my Dad's, and my iBook works great.

scottiB · 10:34 AM

http://www.drbott.com/prod/9141-QUSO.html

The omni-directional extends one's range to 250 feet.
http://www.drbott.com/prod/9142-QUSD.html

The uni-directional extends one's range to 500 feet.

xtal · Mar 1, 2003, 10:42 AM

I've seen these units at stores, but haven't discussed them with the Apple people there. You may want to try posting in the Networking forum, as AirportExtreme is a hot topic around there these days.

AssassyN · Mar 1, 2003, 11:35 AM

Originally posted by aaanorton:
I could be wrong, but I don't think these are even shipping yet.
Why do you want a g set up?

Yeah, the AirPort Extreme bases are shipping, mine's sitting beside me in a FedEx box waiting for it's 17" PB to arrive to it can get used.

And personally, I don't think the antenna will be that big of a deal unless you're using a single base-station to network a rather large office building or a multi-story house, etc. (something huge.) For the average homeowner, the range it puts out normally should be fine.

donny31 · Mar 1, 2003, 10:14 PM

I talked with Dr Botts a few days ago and the rep told me mine was being shipped on monday --I will tell you then what the reception is --I currently get about 100 feet from the extreme --i hoping to get around 200.

rm199 · Mar 2, 2003, 03:19 AM

I'm one of those 'unusual' cases where my very small flat has something in the walls that kills the airport magic dead. The additional antennae will be the end of 1 bar-itis for me!

RM

iDriveX · Mar 2, 2003, 02:06 PM

Originally posted by rm199:
I'm one of those 'unusual' cases where my very small flat has something in the walls that kills the airport magic dead. The additional antennae will be the end of 1 bar-itis for me!

RM

I second that!