Southern California Wireless Users Group

[Booster piggybacking an access point]

Linksys recently started selling their Wireless Signal Booster, model WSB24, for their 802.11b wireless access points. Click for Linksys product page.

I received the WSB24 and hooked it up as specified on the Quick Install sheet (pictured at right.) It was remarkably simple to install. All you need to do is unscrew the antennas from your wireless access point and move them to the booster. Then hook up the pigtails from the access points to the booster inputs. Plug it in and go. That’s it. No network, SSID, or any other configs. This is a direct RF amplifier, so you are simply placing it in between the access point output and the antenna.

It boosted the signal compared to the original WAP11 output. A quick test of received power showed an increase from -38dbm to -24dbm using an Orninoco PC-Card at 6 feet.

In a more real world test, I placed the WAP11 at about 100 ft. from the client card. This was about the edge of range in an office environment. That is, 2 walls 2 desks and a person sat between the AP and the client card. The Orinoco client manager reported “marginal” signal strength with 2 yellow bars. On the chart below, you can see it was about -77dBm with a noise level of about -92dBm .

After hooking up the WSB24 booster to the WAP11, the signal strength increased with no noise level increase to 4 green bars (out of 5) on the Orinoco client manager. That’s an increase from -77 to -70dBm.

This shows that the booster really does increase the signal strength with a very clean signal.

Not bad, but the same results can be obtained with a decent external antenna. Also, since the signal booster uses the same antenna connector as the standard Linksys connectors, you can add an external antenna to the combo for even more output.

There is also the additional concern of wireless netiquette: That undefined realm of not treading on other’s signals. Using an amplifier like this, instead of a directional antenna will probably keep you within current FCC guidelines, but will also spread your signal due to the omni-directional design of the Linksys antennas.

A quick lookup of the FCC ID (PKW-WSB24), shows that the booster puts out a max of 92.5 milliwats (that’s 0.0925 watts) on Channel 1. Slightly less on Channels 6 & 11. Much better than the 32 mw from stock Linksys wireless products.

[100 ft. Office Test - Click for larger image]

In summary, this product sure does the trick. It helps weak signals boost through that fringe area for a meager 90 dollars and 1 minute setup. If you just can’t quite get speed out of your WLAN when sitting on the couch, or in the park by your house, try this puppy. Also, if you share your connection, this will surely extend range.

More Information:

• FCC.gov Document lookup for the WSB24 - Notable are the Internal Photos document and the Test Report.
• FCC Grant document - Shows frequency range and power output.

Addendum (April 2003): Tom’s Hardware Guide has a great review with diagrams and description of the inner-workings of the WSB24. Check it out here.

[Booster piggybacking an access point]

Linksys recently started selling their Wireless Signal Booster, model WSB24, for their 802.11b wireless access points. Click for Linksys product page.

I received the WSB24 and hooked it up as specified on the Quick Install sheet (pictured at right.) It was remarkably simple to install. All you need to do is unscrew the antennas from your wireless access point and move them to the booster. Then hook up the pigtails from the access points to the booster inputs. Plug it in and go. That’s it. No network, SSID, or any other configs. This is a direct RF amplifier, so you are simply placing it in between the access point output and the antenna.

It boosted the signal compared to the original WAP11 output. A quick test of received power showed an increase from -38dbm to -24dbm using an Orninoco PC-Card at 6 feet.

In a more real world test, I placed the WAP11 at about 100 ft. from the client card. This was about the edge of range in an office environment. That is, 2 walls 2 desks and a person sat between the AP and the client card. The Orinoco client manager reported “marginal” signal strength with 2 yellow bars. On the chart below, you can see it was about -77dBm with a noise level of about -92dBm .

After hooking up the WSB24 booster to the WAP11, the signal strength increased with no noise level increase to 4 green bars (out of 5) on the Orinoco client manager. That’s an increase from -77 to -70dBm.

This shows that the booster really does increase the signal strength with a very clean signal.

Not bad, but the same results can be obtained with a decent external antenna. Also, since the signal booster uses the same antenna connector as the standard Linksys connectors, you can add an external antenna to the combo for even more output.

There is also the additional concern of wireless netiquette: That undefined realm of not treading on other’s signals. Using an amplifier like this, instead of a directional antenna will probably keep you within current FCC guidelines, but will also spread your signal due to the omni-directional design of the Linksys antennas.

A quick lookup of the FCC ID (PKW-WSB24), shows that the booster puts out a max of 92.5 milliwats (that’s 0.0925 watts) on Channel 1. Slightly less on Channels 6 & 11. Much better than the 32 mw from stock Linksys wireless products.

[100 ft. Office Test - Click for larger image]

In summary, this product sure does the trick. It helps weak signals boost through that fringe area for a meager 90 dollars and 1 minute setup. If you just can’t quite get speed out of your WLAN when sitting on the couch, or in the park by your house, try this puppy. Also, if you share your connection, this will surely extend range.

More Information:

• FCC.gov Document lookup for the WSB24 - Notable are the Internal Photos document and the Test Report.
• FCC Grant document - Shows frequency range and power output.

Addendum (April 2003): Tom’s Hardware Guide has a great review with diagrams and description of the inner-workings of the WSB24. Check it out here.