Review Summary:
Linksys manufactures several models of antennas to improve the range of 802.11b and 802.11g, also called Wireless-B and Wireless-G, network connections. The HGA7S model is a single antenna designed to replace the removable antennas on most brands of PCI-bus wireless adapters and some access points. Raw specifications suggest that wireless range should be improved about 2.6x normal by adding this antenna to the networking setup. Due to noise and signal degradation playing a large role in an office setting, the signal strength improved enough to add only 25-30% (about 1.3x normal) to the effective range of consumer grade access points. Using the separate antenna stands sold by Linksys (model AS1SMA) the antenna could be relocated away from walls and corners, making this antenna and the stand a moderately effective solution to signal cancellation. There are more effective options for improving wireless range, although none is quite as inexpensive as the Linksys High Gain antennas (currently selling for only $36.05 on Amazon.com).

Detailed Review:
The biggest advantage of this antenna over other range-increasing devices is the easy installation. The original, OEM, antenna can be unscrewed and this antenna attached even with the WiFi card or access point turned on. Waiting a minute for the card or access point to reconnect to the opposite end of the WiFi connection is required after a powered-on swap. Just make sure there is enough additional overhead space for this antenna. It is 11.5-inches long and, to be most effective, it should be vertical and not tilted (omni-directional antennas, like both this and OEM 2.2 dBi ones, are most effective when placed vertically). Indoors an omni-directional antenna should be tilted only in situations where a wall or angled surface causes signal reflection noise. Without enough overhead space the Linksys AS1SMA antenna stand can be purchased separately and used to relocate the antenna a short distance from the SMA connector on the PCI-card or access point. This additional freedom of movement proved helpful in improving the wireless signal for PCs that were placed in angled corners or inside enclosed cabinets.

The low cost of this antenna is a small advantage over other range-increasing devices. It is a quick fix for spotty wireless connections, but because adding it yielded only limited range increases in both office and home it isn’t a solution when no signal at all reaches an enclosed or distant area. In indoor situations enclosed areas may have too much signal noise for any antenna to help. Distant areas in indoor situations can be completely shielded by walls and have no signal to amplify. For such distant or enclosed areas more expensive solutions like the Belkin F5D7130 in repeater-mode or NetGear’s RangeMax Access Point are the most likely to help.

According to specifications the HGA7S antenna has a peak gain of 7 dBi. Most OEM antennas included with wireless access points and PCI-bus cards only have a peak gain of 2.2 dBi. The range of an antenna in an open field with no other interference should double about every +3 dBi. So, in an open field the HGA7S antenna adds about 4.8 dBi of gain, and +4.8 dBi/3 dBi per 2x range = 2.6x normal range. Unfortunately our tests in indoor environments resulted in about 1.2-1.5x the pre-HGA7S range.

Before purchasing the HGA7S, several things to check on existing equipment:

• Does the device to be upgraded have a removable antenna with an SMA connector?
• Is the existing device either 802.11b or 802.11g? This antenna will not work with new 802.11n or older 802.11a equipment.
• Does the existing connection fail occasionally or completely not connect? A wireless signal repeater or Wireless-N/MiMo access points are more likely to be effective in greatly increasing range.