QuickTek Base Station upgrade promises 802.11n range boost

By Tony Smith • Get more from this author

21st August 2007 01:41 GMT

Does 130 bucks seem a right amount to pay to boost your 802.11n Wi-Fi router's range? That's what US company QuickTek is charging for an add-on three-aerial high-gain antenna for Apple's latest AirPort Extreme Base Station.

QuickTeck 802.11n Base Station booster
QuickTek's Base Station booster: extra range for 802.11n?

The update involves hooking the antenna right into the Base Station - cleverly going through the router's Kensington lock hole, to save drilling through the casing.

The three-aerial antenna connects via a 4ft cable, allowing you to place it away from the Base Station in a location that gives you the best connectivity.

QuickTek rates the procedure 10 in on its difficulty scale, so it's not for the DIY-phobic - "it should not be attempted by someone without any prior upgrade experience", the company warns.

Fortunately, QuickTek will do the modification for you if you're not up to the task. While the upgrade pack costs $149.95, you can send in your own 802.11n Base Station and get it modified for $179.95. Or you can just buy a new one off QuickTek for $349.95.

More details here.