Ubiquiti SR2 in CF29 - Antenna Q.

So, I have about 15 CF29s. They operate in a warehouse environment and are served by Ruckus Access Points. The issue we are having is that they don't roam aggressively enough and we start having packet loss issues even though the signal is strong enough that it doesn't roam. Some of the cards have an advanced setting for this but others don't. As a next step we are looking to retrofit a machine with a SuperRange 2 card. They provide much better control over roaming. Assuming that the CF29 accepts the Mini PCI type IIIa card,(does it?), the question is antennas. The SR2 has 1 u.fl as its primary and one MMCX as its secondary. Should I adapt the MMCX and hook it up? I assume it will get better signal that way? Could I just leave it off? Anyone have any thoughts or opinions?

Here is the web page for the card SuperRange2 | Ubiquiti Networks, Inc.

Thanks,
Stephen

 

Yes the CF-29 does use mini-PCI type IIIa. Many folks here use the EnGenius 8602 Plus-S with about 600 mW max output power and great sensitivity. Looks like the Ubiquiti SR2 has about 400 mW (+26 dbm). The 8602 can be found for $20-$30 on Ebay from time to time. And it has two u.fl connectors making it a simple drop-in replacement for the stock CF-29 wifi card.

Note they also make an EnGenius Plus (no "S") that has about 400 mW, same as the Ubiquiti SR2.

 

Here are a few of the Plus cards:

NEW EnGenius EMP-8602 Plus Wireless LAN MiniPCI Adaptor
New Engenius EMP-8602+ 802.11a/g 400mW mini-PCI module

The 8602+S cards are running a lot more that $30 these days:

EnGenius 8602+S

 

When you say the CF-29 stock card doesn't roam aggressivly enough, have you adjusted the settings in the Intel software? I don't have my 29 in front of me, but I do recall finding the settings for roaming agressiveness in the Intel software and it was buried pretty good. Also, I think it may ony be in the newer versions of the software from Intel directly.

 

I hadn't looked at Engenius. I am a big fan of Ubiquiti and the Mobility driver for their mini-PCI cards is specifically focused on facilitating exactly what I need, aggressive roaming. For those of you who have the engenius card, how much control over roaming do you have in the settings? It isn't something most people need.

Wyrm73: It is there on some of them. I suppose I should see about updating the drivers and see if that provides that option.

Thanks,
Stephen

 

I would try that 1st- but then again I am cheap and I hate throwing away stuff that works fine, but not just exactly like I want. I can make it bend to my will SOMEHOW! Although it often breaks while bending but that clears my conscience to buy a new one.

I wish I could give you better info on how well the roaming aggressiveness works, but I did not actually do much testing once I found the setting. The project was upgraded to newer laptops before I finished my work. Such is the way of things in IT sometimes...