router antenna Upgrade

[Fiv]

ok this is the think i recently had a dlink router and did notlike the coverage, but other than that the router was good, (coverage meaning i wanted my friend higher up the road to access my network, good distance).

Anywaz i ordered a Netgear WPNT834 Range Max, because the reviews were good, i read that the middle antenna (it has thee) is detachable, what i want to know is can i remove that antenna and attach an aftermarket antenna to it, a directional antenna with a higher gain than the original. What are my limits to doing this, other than the connector (dont know what the netgear has anywas).
What if i attach a WAN2118 Yagi outdoor antenna will my friend be able to access my network from his standalone pc and his pda. The distance wouldnt be a problem there , my concern is how possible it would be to do such and what other equipment would i need and he need.
My network plan is one pc (wired) and two laptops(wireless), the router and my adsl modem connected to it

[3fingersalute]

I've had some experience with Hawking's hi gain antennas, they seem to work really well. To achieve the best signal, you should put one on both ends (in other words throw an access point at his place with an external antenna and set it up as a repeater that way you're receiving then rebroadcasting the signal).

[Fiv]

thanks but it still does not answer the questions i asked,

[3fingersalute]

Ok, does his pda have integrated WiFi?
Does he have a pci or usb Wifi adaptor for his desktop?

If no to any of the above, then you need to buy a wireless adaptor for them so they can access the wireless network.

As far as limitations in adding an external antenna, most high gain antennas boost the signal so you're not really doing anything to limit yourself, but you need to make sure if its a directional antenna that you have it pointed line-of-sight with his building/house.

[Fiv]

yea the pc has wifi and so does the pda, was just thinking that if i add the antenna it might fry the router or something like that,

[3fingersalute]

yea the pc has wifi and so does the pda, was just thinking that if i add the antenna it might fry the router or something like that,

No, that's why they have the ability to add an external antenna, for just that purpose. I'm not real familiar with that router, but I know in the Linksys wireless routers/access points you can turn antennas on/off or diversify the signal amongst them.

[slgrieb]

Fiv, I've used Hawking and Buffalo high gain antennas, and they are certainly big improvements over most stock hardware, but you should be aware that it isn't possible to guarantee that you'll get the results you are looking for. Wireless LANs operate on the 2.4 GHz band and that is about as crowded and noisy as it gets. Other devices on the band can cause connectivity problems and so can building design, terrain features, etc.