B.A.R.S.
Berwick Amateur Radio Society
Susquehanna
Valley MESH Network
C.M.A.R.C.
Columbia Montour Amateur Radio Club

               
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Antennas

Ok so you have a MESH node but you may need more capable antennas.  If you live in an urban area you may be connected to the MESH with the stock antennas.  Congrats.  For the rest of us, external antennas may be in order.  The WRT54G version 3 router that I have has 'RP-TNC' (reverse polarity TNC) antenna connectors on the back. There are two antenna connectors and both are used, so you may want to consider using a hi gain vertical to receive, and a dish or yagi to beam out to the next node if trying to cover some distance, or vice-versa, or any combo that you see fit.

Be sure you check the type of connector your router has.  Buy antennas that have cables that have the appropriate connector.  ALL of the LinkSys routers I have purchased have RP-TNC connectors (male with a pin visible in the center)

You may also want to consider the Ubiquiti equipment.  The AirGrid M2 is a complete package that comes with the TX unit, dish, mount and POE.  All you need is a LAN cable to run between the POE and the dish.  The Bullet M2 can be used with any antenna that has a N female connector.  We have used them with the TP-Link dishes as well as a variety of verticals.  The Bullet M2 is a TX unit and does not include a POE, so be sure to order a POE or make one.  Bullets will run just fine off of a car battery or any POE that provides 12 volts to 24 volts at .5 amps.
 

Here are examples of stuff we have purchased online...
 



Ubiquiti AirGrid M2
About 69 bucks on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Airmax-AirGrid-Antenna-AG-HP-2G20/dp/B0051GLIP4/ref=sr_1_1

(we really like these - includes POE unit)
 



Ubiquiti Bullet M2
About 79 bucks on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-BULLET-M2-HP-Outdoor-802-11-M2HP/dp/B002SYS22E/ref=sr_1_1

(we also really like these - POE NOT included)
 



TP-Link 15dbi vertical with N-Female connector
About 49 bucks on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-ANT2415D-Omni-directional-connector-resistant/dp/B004I5J2XY/ref=pd_sim_e_3

 



TP-Link 24dbi Dish with N-Female pigtail
About 45 bucks on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/TL-ANT2424B-Directional-Parabolic-connector-resistant/dp/B003CFATOW/ref=pd_sim_e_1
(dish and mount very high quality - reflector element seems delicate)


Chinese 25dbi Yagi with RP-SMA 3 foot pigtail (needs RP-SMA to RP-TNC adapter)
About 12 bucks on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CJ3DCE2/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
(not really impressed so far)
 


25 foot roll of LMR-400 cable with N-Male and RP-TNC connectors - I got 2
About 29 bucks per roll on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002LYRGSC/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 


1.5 foot LMR-400 cable with N-Male and RP-TNC connectors - I got 2
About 10 bucks
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A13HLZI/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
(shorter cables mean less loss)
 


 

Portable 29 foot tower
About 160 bucks at GoVerticalUSA
http://goverticalusa.com/mast-kits/antenna-tripod-29ft-aluminum-portable-tower-mast-kit.html
(can be put up and taken down in minutes - very satisfied - local company)

 


It should be noted that I am not endorsing, nor do I have any association with any of these products or sellers.  I am just telling you what I have found, and show these as examples of what kind of antennas and accessories you may want to consider.  The retailers mentioned and approximate cost are only examples of what you may find.  My notes in parenthesis are just my personal opinion about the products that I received when using these links.  You may find better and cheaper alternatives elsewhere.