I have been working for a bit in the wireless world and have come across the “More Power” designs.  As more and more people start using these “More Power” wireless networks, the network starts failing..  The people installing or designing the network have watched too much television and learned at the feet of Tim “The Toolman” Taylor of “Home Improvement” wireless design and operation.

The thought that “If I increase my power, I should be able to drown out all that interference” is wrong and can be illegal.  It’s like saying “This party is getting a little loud, let me bring in my louder and more obnoxious friend Ted to make it better”.   I think that is likely to offend everyone else at the party and get you and Ted thrown out. 

One of the problems with amplification of RF signals is that the more you amplify the signal, the more you distort the signal.  So now, not only is Ted loud and obnoxious, you can barely understand what he says, his voice brays like a donkey and he stutters like a motor boat.  Now Ted’s annoying voice is making hard for some guys to hear what their girlfriends are saying and now they’re getting annoyed at you for bringing Ted in.

Now we are at the possibly illegal part.  Adding amplifiers and higher gain antennas are that were not specifically certified with the FCC by the device manufacturers is illegal.  Only the manufacturer has the right to certify anything with their systems.  No “professional installers” or anything else will make it legal.  Now you might get away with it since the toothless wonders known as the FCC do not do go actively looking for violations.  The FCC requires that information come from other wireless operators/users and that the wireless operators/users gather the spectrum analysis, photographic evidence, etc. that a violation exists.  So if you don’t annoy anyone you might be OK on this, unless someone from the FCC walks by and notices.  Once the FCC notices a violation you might be given some options like: make it compliant, take it down or have it confiscated plus others.  Also Remember, the FCC is part of the government and government never has enough money, so you might get a fine attached too.

But, you say, my 40,000dBi antenna was certified by the wireless manufacturer.  I would then refer you back a couple of paragraphs to “Ted”, and say “You aren’t doing yourself a favor with that antenna.   You would be better using this 2dBi antenna.”

With RF design is about science, balance and magic, not “More Power”.