New Product: Alfa Networks UBDo-gt 1000mW OUTDOOR Wi-Fi USB adapter

If you have been in the market for an outdoor weather resistant Wi-Fi client, the new UBDo-gt from Alfa Networks is an excellent choice. It features a 1000mW wireless receiver built into an outdoor weather resistant casing. It contains two mast-o ring mounting rings and a 5 meter (~16 feet) USB cable with a special dual-Y USB connection end that goes into your computer (features both a power/data connector and a secondary power-only connector so that you can use 2 USB ports on your computer to provide full power to the device without needing an external power source for it).

The Realtek RTL8187L chipset inside this device is the same chipset that is in the popular AWUS036H long range 1000mW USB adapter. In many ways, this is exactly like getting the Alfa AWUS036H adapter inside an expensive outdoor weather resistant casing. The primary difference though is that this device does not have an external antenna connector. Instead it comes with an integrated 12 dBi gain directional panel antenna. Personally I find an integrated antenna the best option for basic travel needs, so you do not have to lug around a heavy external antenna and worry about assembling/disassembling it when you are ready to hit the road. Because this is 12 dBi gain, you will get better performance compared to an 8.5 or 10.5 dBi outdoor external antenna anyhow.

Rokland will no longer accept American Express payments beginning in October 2010

We received notice from our merchant processor that American Express plans to increase processing charges for merchants by more than 50% on October 13, 2010. This is the transactional cost that is taken out of each charge that retailers like Rokland process.

While transactional fees are only a few percentage points of the total order charged, it is important to remember that profit margins for retailers are much smaller than the actual amount charged (in other words, when you charge $50.00 to your credit card with a retailer, their profit on the items sold may only be $3 or $4 after various fees and costs are deducted). Therefore a massive rate hike like this from American Express really cuts into the margins of retailers.

Accepting such a rate hike would mean we have to pass on the cost to all of our customers, whether they use American Express or not. This is because American Express terms prohibit us from charging a small fee to buyers who use American Express.

In these economic times we feel it would be irresponsible to increase prices to all of our customers due to the actions of one credit card company. We have been given two options by American Express- accept the rate hike, or don’t accept American Express. We have selected the second option.

In the event the proposed rate hike does not take place, this may change. We wanted to give advance notice now, and will make necessary changes on October 13, 2010 on our web site so that you will know when making a purchase what credit cards are accepted.

New Product: Alfa 7 dBi directional panel antenna with RP-SMA connector

When it comes to wireless networking products, Alfa Networks is a name synonymous with quality. Their AWUS036H 1000mw USB adapter is the most sought after wireless receiver for computer users with long range needs.

This month we are excited to announce Alfa has introduced a new Wi-Fi antenna to their line of quality products. The Alfa 7 dBi directional panel antenna has an RP-SMA connector and will work with the AWUS036H as well as all other Wi-Fi adapters made by Alfa that have an RP-SMA antenna connector.

Unlike an omni-directional antenna, directional antennas concentrate gain in a particular direction, giving you better range and signal to a particular network, and allowing for better penetration of obstacles. Depending on your needs, you may be better off with one or the other. The product page for this antenna has more details on which type may be best for you. We also encourage you to contact us directly for individually-tuned recommendations.

Happy Independence Day!

All of us here at Rokland want to wish everyone a safe and happy Independence Day. We also want to remind people that both the US Postal Service and UPS will be closed tomorrow, July 5th, in observance of the holiday. Any purchases made this past Friday, Saturday, today, or tomorrow will ship Tuesday, July 6th.

Rokland’s environmental initiatives

Apologies for the boring title, but the phrase “going green” has been beaten to death.

Over the next several weeks we want to profile steps we are taking to become more environmentally friendly. Not because we expect people to just start buying from us due to these things, but because we believe businesses have a responsibility to be transparent about what they are doing (or not doing) to make environmental concerns a higher priority in their organizations.

In June we began replacing all standard bubble wrap in our shipping facility with a new bubble wrap that is fully recyclable and will also biodegrade in under 3 years in the event it ends up in a landfill. We do encourage customers to reuse bubble wrap whenever possible. Save it in the attic and use it in packages to send to friends and relatives at Christmas time. When it is no longer usable, be sure to recycle it instead of just throwing it away.

This is just one step of many we have taken, stay tuned for more…