[Axoneo]

I recently bought a Hawking HWU8DD. I just don't quite understand the issues I am having. I just can't get a good signal with this device. When using Netstumbler my internal wifi card next to the window pulls in a little under 80 dBm and when I take it outside it shoots up past 70dBm.
With the HWU8DD you I would think the high gain antenna alone just aiming out the window would get a similar signal. The most I get with this device a little under 100dBm. I am NOT sure what the issue it at all. Is it the drivers? I read somewhere to download older drivers that work much better than the newest drivers from Hawking. Should I update my USB drivers? Is there maybe a windows conflict I just don't know and I am running out of idea on what to do to make it work. I have taking the device outside and aimed it in ever possible direction and the most signal increase I get is the second light lit briefly on the unit out of 5 and for the most part only one light is lit, the first one. There are 5 led lights on the unit as the signal increases more lights light up ETC.
Any Help with this I will sooo much appreciate.
Thank you.
Ax

[JohnWill]

Note that the unit in question has a directional antenna, so it must be pointed at the wireless access point or router that you're connecting to. What is the wireless device you're connecting to?

[Axoneo]

Hi JohnWill. I have already ordered a high gain USP Omnidirectional (Hawking) and a 7dBm outdoor Antenna.

Thank you John for all the advice. The AP I am trying to connect to is a Public library and I already checked with them and they didn't mind my doing so. Not the fast food joint as they don't have wifi. I checked with them too
Peace

[JohnWill]

I'd use a directional antenna for this application. You probably want maximum gain in one direction, and you can get much higher gain with the directional antennas.

[Axoneo]

Very Cool!
When I have the Antenna hooked up, should I disable ALL other WiFi aka <i>wireless zero</i> ETC except for the Hawking software and drivers? I just want to double check and I really appreciate your patients and help friend.

[JohnWill]

If you're going to use the Hawking wireless client, you need to disable WZC, that's correct. You can also disable the Hawking client and use WZC with the Hawking drivers, your choice.

[Axoneo]

Its funny you meantion that I can use WZC with the Hawking. I have this other software that ALWAYS out performs the WZC its called Intel PRO/set wirless. It finds 2 to 3x as many APs as compared to WZC. I am not sure how I will go about using this software/drivers over the Hawking but I would much rather that is for sure.

[Axoneo]

It's funny you mention that I can use WZC with the Hawking instead of the Hawking software drivers. I actually never use WZC because I have this other software that ALWAYS out performs WZC it's called Intel PRO/Wireless and it ALWAYS picks up 2 to 3x as many AP's compared to the WZC. I would love to use the Intel software with the Hawking instead of the Hawking software. Could you pont me in the right direction on how I go about doing this? That is using the Intel software/drivers instead of the Hawking? Must I use the Hawking drivers?
Please?

Shoot I double posted, sorry about that.

[JohnWill]

If you disable the automatic startup of the Hawking wireless client and set WZC for automatic startup in Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Services, you'll have WZC to access the wireless networks. I have no idea how Intel's wireless software works with non-Intel hardware, but I can't imagine that's a real good idea for managing the connection.

[Axoneo]

I should let people know what’s going on since I have had a chance to mess around with some of the Hawking equipment. Through a number of phone calls to tech support and a couple of returned/exchanged items nothing out performs the internal wireless card on my laptop. Right now I am easily pulling in -70dBm and picking up 4 (sometimes more access points) and since I upgraded the internal card drivers it's even better. I have used a HWU8DD which is a little too directional and really haven't much luck with that tool. I guess I could hook up my GPS to Netstumbler and try it again. Right now I am using the HWUG1 with a HAI7SIP high gain <b>indoor</d> antenna and honestly right this second not a single AP is being picked up! I have picked up the current AP I use with the HAI7SIP but never got it better than -90dBm.
I post this because I just feel that there must be something wrong here. This equipment so far hasn't even come close to my stock card.
Out side the signal goes up of course but it also goes up on my stock. Is it possible my stock wifi card beats all this High Gain stuff?
wft

[wolong]

I bought a HWU8DD hoping to be able to get a better conection to a distant access point, but I've found that my notebook's built-in antenna does a better job! I'm thinking about building or buying a Cantenna and buying an Orinoco adapter, and selling the HWU8DD on eBay.

[JohnWill]

Hawking Tech has a number of products that will help you increase your wireless range. The root page is Hawking Hi-Gain™ WiFi Range Extending Products.

Some of the more interesting products are this Hawking [HSB2] Hi-Gain WiFi Signal Booster, which can be used on either end of a wireless connection to boost the signal power.

Another way to increase your signal strength is by the use of hi-gain antennas. You can choose from omni-directional or directional models, here are a couple of examples.

Hawking [HAI7SIP] Hi-Gain 7dBi Omni-Directional Antenna

Hawking [HAI15SC] Hi-Gain 15dBi Corner Antenna