Alfa Network APA-M04 7 dBi gain SMA directional panel antenna

Alfa APA-M04 7dBi Panel Antenna ALFA NETWORK APA-M04 2.4GHz 7dBi PANEL 

Alfa APA-M04 is a 7 dBi gain directional panel antenna with an RP-SMA antenna connector. This can connect to many Alfa Network brand wireless USB adapters including the AWUS036H 1000mW USB long range Wi-Fi adapter. This will also work with other brand Wi-Fi adapters and routers/APs that have an RP-SMA port. This item is brand new.

Directional vs. Omni-directional antennas

For this it is helpful to refer to image 4 up top. That image is not a precise scientific comparison drawing, but an illustration to show in a general sense how the two antenna types compare. This 7 dBi gain panel antenna is directional. Antennas that usually come with Wi-Fi adapters are often omni-directional. Omni-directional antennas can detect signals from multiple directions. Gain is not concentrated in one particular direction. Omni-directional antennas work best when you are mobile and do not know where signals are originating. Directional antennas concentrate gain in a particular direction. While the antenna does not need to be in a perfect line of sight to the signal, it needs to be pointed in the general direction. Due to the way antennas work, directional antennas can pick up signals that are the in the opposite direction, but they will be weaker than if the antenna was pointed in that direction. As our graphic above illustrates, each antenna type has an advantage over the other. That is why it is best to have each type, so you can use the antenna that is best for your particular needs. Because directional antennas work best in the direction they are pointed, in many cases you will detect more signals overall with your omni-directional antenna, but find that your directional antenna may get stronger signal strength to signals it is aimed at, and it may also detect additional signals in the direction it is pointed, signals the omni cannot see.

Additional Features:

- Antenna is rotatable to you can adjust the direction
- Engineer-tested compared to other directionals on the market to ensure excellent performance
- Alfa-branded, the trusted name in wireless networking- not a generic antenna
- Complies with 802.11g standard for 2.4Ghz Wireless LAN
- Contains RP-SMA antenna connector
- Works with all 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi devices that have an RP-SMA connector, not just ALFA brand ones

If you’re a fan of Alfa’s AWUS036NHR USB network adapter, you’ve probably considered picking up an Alfa APA-M04 7dBi directional panel antenna. 

When compared against the 5dBi dipole antenna that comes with the Alfa AWUS036NHR, the 7dBi antenna failed to prove itself a worthy contender. To make this comparison, we tested each antenna by performing a 60-second airodump scan in a controlled environment. The test yielded results indicating that the 7dBi antenna is hardly an upgrade. 

Specification  Model APA-M04

Frequency 2.4GHz ~ 2.5GHz VSWR ≦ 2.0

Gain 7dBi

Polarization Linear, Vertical Impedance 50 Ω Connector RP-SMA PLUG Operation Temp -10℃ ~ +55℃ Humidity 95%@25℃ Dimension 120*90*15*mm