5GHz wifi dongle with antenna for use with B2 - any recommendations?

[Iain Bell]

I saw some threads about 5GHz wifi dongles with an antenna, but couldn't see a clear recommendation. Has anyone used one or can anyone suggest a particular model. (Because of its extension cable and desktop holder I like the look of the Asus USB-AC56, but cannot find out if it supports Linux, which I gather from another thread is necessary..???)

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/advice.

Best regards, 

Iain

[Daniel Taylor]

As I understand it, 5GHz is faster, but doesn't reach as far as 2.4GHz.  For the needs of the B2, the extra speed is not needed, but distance is often important.

That being said, I have it in my notes that a WiFi dongle with antenna that uses the RT5572 chip works for dual-band on the B2.  It's worth a try.

[Iain Bell]

Thanks, Daniel.

My reason for looking at an antenna dongle is to get round an intermittent problem I have with the Web UI (slow response, delays, incorrect artwork appearing etc). Distance isn't a problem (ca. 4 meters with an intervening plasterboard wall, albeit with a noise-reducing door!), but for space reasons the B2 is currently "hiding" next to my amp, although when I'm done ripping my collection I will see about moving it somewhere else. I thought that 5GHz would make NAS editing go faster as well, so would be interested in hearing anyone's experiences.

Best regards,

Iain

[Daniel Taylor]

I think the delays you're experiencing are because of signal strength rather than the speed of transmission.  BTW, what is your WiFi signal strength?

I would be interested in what you discover when you switch to 5GHz, especially since you have a wall getting in the way of the signal.

[Iain Bell]

Hi Daniel,

Yes, I think the Web UI problem is a signal strength issue - in its current position "behind" the amp when I'm listening to music I get a signal strength of ca. -51dBm, but when I'm transferring files via a memory stick then I lift it onto the (switched-off and cold) amp and get a reading of -41dBm. I've read elsewhere on the forum that an antenna dongle gives a much improved signal strength and so I'm hoping that as the antenna would stick up above the amp I could replicate what I get when I place the B2 on top of the amp. My thinking was if I'm buying a dongle then I would see if there is one which will also work with the 5GHz network, as this would improve things when I'm doing NAS editing.

Best regards,

Iain

[PMB]

Hi Iain,

The only one I have been able to find and try is this one - link - from Pi Hut but it appears to be out of stock. Perhaps contact them and ask when they expect to get more.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Iain Bell]

Thanks, Paul - I'll get in touch with Pi Hut, as I can't find anywhere in Sweden (where I live) that has this one (or anything else with RT5572) - unfortunately since January anything coming from the UK to EU countries is being clobbered with import and admin charges, not to mention delays, so if I can find it somewhere else in the EU I'd prefer to source it there....

Best regards,
Iain

[Iain Bell]

I have today actually come up with a temporary fix until such time as the ripping process is over - I had in one of my drawers a D-Link wifi booster which I've placed right behind the B2 and now get a reading of -9dBm, quite a big improvement! My aim would still be from an aesthetic point-of-view to get a dongle with an antenna so that when the B2 doesn't need to be picked up once a day (for music transfers) I can have a bit less clutter in my hifi corner. (I'm hoping also that the improved signal strength will allow me to transfer music using NAS).

Best regards,

Iain

[Daniel Taylor]

That -9dBm signal strength is phenomenal.  But it is only the strength of the signal from the B2 to the booster.  I don't know how to determine how well the booster does in boosting the signal.  So only usage will tell.

If it proves to be problem-free, I'm sure there are a lot of folks who would be glad to know about it.  Is that D-Link WiFi booster a stand-alone product that will work with any router? 

[Iain Bell]

I was pretty surprised with that level as well, but then it couldn't actually be any closer ;-) (see attached photo). The indicator on the front shows a max. signal from the router and it seems to running now without any hitches when selecting and playing music through the Web UI. The snag is, however,  that the booster creates its own network with the tag "-Ext" attached to the regular network decription and so to use NAS via my PC I need to join the booster's network which is a bit slower due to it being further away from the PC than my router. As I only see this as a temporary fix for my particular setup I'm not too concerned, but it might be an issue if someone would be trying to rig up a similar setup for a more permanent solution.

Best regards,

Iain

[Iain Bell]

I did a quick search online about this D-Link extender and the one I've got might not actually be available in the UK, as it only seems to come with two pins (Europe, US, Japan) - maybe there is a UK equivalent.....