We completed a comparison test that offers a look at three adapters from Alfa, the 50mw AWUS036E (that number is fifty, not to be mistaken with the 500mw AWUS036H model), the 300mw AWUS036EH, and the 80mw AWUS036S which has a Ralink chipset. The full results of our test can be viewed in PDF format here.
There were no big surprises. The winner was the AWUS036EH 300mw model which has the same chipset as the AWUS036E 50mw model, but more output power. The AWUS036S has a different chipset, a chip from Ralink. The chip proved to be less sensitive, but the range was pretty good. At the time of this writing the 50mw AWUS036E model from Alfa is about $5.00 cheaper than the 300mw AWUS036EH model, which in turn is about the same price as the 80mw AWUS036S model. So if you are looking for the best range of the three and the best sensitivity, the AWUS036EH model is no doubt the way to go. If you are on a budget and need a good quality adapter with external antenna port and don't need piles of output power, the AWUS036E model is a great option. We would recommend the AWUS036SS model to those folks who specifically need a Ralink chipset.
7 comments:
Great review, although I was under the impression that the Alfa AWUS036EH had a 200mw output. Alfa Specs Page
It has a max range of 300mw when used with the 2 dBi gain antenna. We have confirmed this directly with Alfa. You can contact Alfa for confirmation as well, please email us for their contact information. Thanks.
I believe you guys - I had just come across that the other day when trying to find some info regarding the Alfa AWUS036S (which incidentally I could not find on their site).
I'm still curious to know how they were able to increase the output power so much on the AWUS036EH Vs. the AWUS036E since the cards seem more or less identical from the outside (cept for color).
I've read reports where ppl were able to increase the power on the AWUS036E through via command line on Linux and wonder if the EH is possibly using a different firmware that achieves a similar result or if it is actually using different components internally.
I am not sure sure specifically about the Alfa models, but often times with adapters it is in fact a firmware restriction, and usually one that cannot be resolved as easily as a firmware update, the firmware would actually have to be flashed.
There are an assortment of pen-style adapters without external connectors that range from 50mW to 200mW, though they are the same size small adapter.
I remember with the Senao NL-2511 series PCMCIA cards years back, they came in a couple of flavors, 100mW and 200mW, and it was possible to flash the 100mW cards using a special program someone had created which copied over a file on the card itself, then you had to run a firmware update too. That would upgrade it to 200mw. With most products though this type of flashing program does not exist.
It's always nice when you can unlock little extras with simple firmware upgrades/updates as opposed to having to buy new tech.
I agree, it is nice, but most manufacturers don't support this because of the problems that can ensue. If your system crashes, or the power goes out while you are flashing the firmware, this usually renders the whole piece of hardware useless. So they would have to plan for increased warranty replacements, and more complaints from customers who flashed their adapters into oblivion. Maybe they can work on a system that would allow flashing to be less vulnerable to problems, but I imagine it is more profitable for them to release a new line of products for people to buy.
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