External Antenna Adapter for Android systems - boost Wifi reception

[sign216]

Are there any external antenna adapters for Android tablets?

I want to boost the Wifi reception of a Sony P tablet, that I use when traveling. An external antenna would be great, but there don't seem to be any made for Android.

Anyone familiar with one?

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[leeshor]

Are there any external antenna adapters for Android tablets?

I want to boost the Wifi reception of a Sony P tablet, that I use when traveling. An external antenna would be great, but there don't seem to be any made for Android.

Anyone familiar with one?

Welcome to the forum

I am unaware of any antennas that work with Android sue to a lack of driver support. My suggestion would be to get a portable WiFi router. There are several available that will act as a bridge to another WiFi network or even to a hardwired connection. It would/could act as a booster.

[sign216]

Leeshor, a portable router is an angle I hadn't thought of.

Alternatively, how about an inductive antenna, such as those advertised for cell phones. These antennas don't physically connect, but "connect" to the device via an electromagnetic field, like: WA-1029 - Samsung Epic 4G, Galaxy S Passive Antenna Adapter

I suggest the inductive antenna because it would be cheaper, easier to carry, and not require a power source. but I heard that inductive antennas for cell phones are designed for their frequency, and work with limited success for WiFi. Any truth to that?

[leeshor]

I can't answer the question about the inductive antenna for certain, but I have serious doubts. The inductive antennas would primarily be designed for wireless, not necessarily for WiFi. You are also dealing with the fact that the phone is so small, you are more likely to get those antennas to cover the internal antenna for the boost. I can think of several other things that only increase my doubts that it would work.

[sign216]

Reportedly the inductive antenna has approx. a 50% loss compared to a hard wired antenna. That being the case, a portable router might be the best bet.

I'm surprised that there aren't any Android drivers for antenna adapters. It's not as if Android is an obscure system.

[leeshor]

But there isn't really enough market. Most of the antennas you speak of were designed for desktops that may not have already had any WiFi, An extra antenna just for the sake of the antenna and not the connection is hard to find even for a PC

[sign216]

Desktops? No, they are for laptops. With a USB connection, to give laptops a greater WiFi range. Amazon.com: USB Wireless Lan Adapter w/Antenna 54Mbps: Computers & Accessories

The use on tablets isn't so much of a stretch. Sad that no one's running with this for the many Android systems out there.

[leeshor]

Desktops? No, they are for laptops. With a USB connection, to give laptops a greater WiFi range. Amazon.com: USB Wireless Lan Adapter w/Antenna 54Mbps: Computers & Accessories

The use on tablets isn't so much of a stretch. Sad that no one's running with this for the many Android systems out there.

That is not an antenna, it's a USB WiFi adapter that happens to have an antenna. That was not the original question. I know of no WiFi adapters that that will work for Android, and that is not just for a laptop. I have used adapters like that on many desktops.

[sign216]

(post deleted)

I don't want to start.

[sign216]

There are several available that will act as a bridge to another WiFi network or even to a hardwired connection[IMG]http://www.**********/song9-1.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://www.**********/song9-5.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://www.**********/song9-4.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://www.**********/song9-2.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://www.**********/song9-3.jpg[/IMG]

Do you have any Android-friendly examples? The ones I have looked up (Wi-Fire, etc) are operating out of different systems.


EDIT: I found these travel routers. If they magnify the signals they receive, and don't merely repeat already weak signals, then they may be an answer.

http://www.zunidigital.com/?page_id=222

http://ca.asus.com/en/Networks/Wirel...ters/WL330N3G/