15db omni 500mw booster questions

with a 15db omni antenna and a 500mw booster what sorta LOS range should i get to a 7db omni 100mw, also are 1 watt boosters not legal in New Zealand sorry im abit of a n00b when it comes to wifi im trying to set up a mesh network in flagstaff hamilton if anyone is interested in joining feel free

Hi there

I am quite sure in NZ you can only have 4 Watts Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP). This means with a 500mW amplifier you can only have a maximum of a 9dBi omni antenna attached if you want to stay within the regulations. If you took into account about 3 dB loss in the cable and connectors you could probably get away with a 12dBi antenna.

Dale

I'd say you would be generally better off to use the 15dbi omni with a lower power AP (up to 250mW assuming 3dB cable loss) because it will give you better reception as well, over using a smaller antenna with a booster. Booster amps often add latency and amplify noise.