My Asus RT-N16 quite gave me positive results and provided more transfer rate than my Linksys WRT54GL v1.1. Just bought the Asus RT-N16 last June 4, 2010 which cost for about $136.98 including, shipping is on Express Mail International by USPS and arrived within 3 days. When it arrived I immediately tested its stock firmware v1.0.0.6 (router build date is Jan 2010) and give me some difficulties because it lacks the features of what I needed like NoCatSplash, Optware, Transmission (torrent downloader), etc. After testing the stock firmware I immediately loaded it with a third-party firmware called DD-WRT of course you need to load its trailer build (mini version for RT-N16) for the RT-N16 before you can load it with MEGA or BIG versions of DD-WRT and it goes smoothly. My download rates went up when using the RT-N16 because it has a powerful CPU on it but lacked the 5Ghz radio chip. Wireless signal went a few feet away providing better signal through our house.
After a few days I think that I need to buy an antenna upgrade for my Asus RT-N16 from Hong Kong stores on eBay. Then I went ahead and bought the RP-SMA 2.4Ghz 16dBi WLAN antenna from eBay which cost for about $12.27 for 3 pieces antenna, shipping was free because Hong Kong is a few hours away on airplane from our country and arrived within 27 days because it was sent on regular mail package. Then after testing it in on my RT-N16 my signal gained more than my expected results, so I am happy with the upgrade I made. Still I am lacking the external storage for Optware and torrenting use because those funds I bought for the Asus RT-N16 and the RP-SMA 2.4Ghz 16dBi WLAN antenna were merely donations from one of my sites to make our development more convenient.
You should try out DebWrt, it’s full debian linux that runs on the rt-n16 router http://dev.debwrt.net/wiki/AsusRT-N16
Hey Mark and others, just wanted to let you know that DebWRT now supports the rt-n16 which lets you run full debian linux on the device. Check it out: http://dev.debwrt.net/wiki/AsusRT-N16
Hey, good to hear someone is having good results from antenna upgrades.
Any chance you recall the manufacturer of the antenna you purchased? There are a lot of bogus “upgrade” antennae sold out there (many are just a wire in plastic housing) and it would help to know which ones are real.
Thanks,
I don’t think that you can still buy from the seller, because as of this moment the seller whom I bought the antenna is not active anymore at eBay, you may search eBay and find a respected seller based on their Feedback Score…