[krove]

I had need for a 802.11b/g directional antenna. I looked at the one Apple promotes that is made by Dr. Bott (ExtendAir Antennap), but the $150 price tag seemed a bit prohibitive for just an antenna.

As such, I was scouting around the 'net and found the Super Cantenna! It is a manufactured directional antenna (inspired by the pringles type) that provides +12 dbi, minus the time and effort to build one by hand. They also sell a cable from the antenna to the Airport Extreme Basestation (modem/external antenna port model).

I received it today, and plugged it in, just to see that the Airport Admin software saw the external antenna; unfortunately, it still reads "internal." I have no reason why, so I sent them a little email to inquire as to why this may be.



Also, having investigated these antennas, I noticed that these all have metal spacers on the inside that serve to polarize the EM radiation (radio wavelengths), but my Super Cantenna does not have such metal spacers. I have also sent an inquiry about this anomaly as well. Does anyone know how this antenna would operate without such metal spacers? Normally, these spacers appear attached to the plastic lid, but in my case, I have none.

[ghporter]

I don't know why your AEBS doesn't see the antenna, but I do have an answer for you about the "spacers." Those washers are not spacers-they're serving as "reflectors" and "directors" for the antenna. Your "super cantenna" uses a slightly different design, which does not require these parts.

[krove]

Thanks for the info.

We'll see what the Wireless Garden folks (makers of the Super Cantenna and connecting cable for the AEBS) have to say about not recognizing the external antenna.