This review for our group will experience and discuss the Wi-Fire Long-range WiFi Adapter from hField Technologies in Pennsylvania. The product packaging claims that the Wi-Fire adapter has a range of up to 1000 feet, that it allows you to connect where you want when you want, and that it is WiFi 802.11b and 802.11g compatible. Professional reviews that were included with the product packaging have used such descriptive phrases as “souped-up wireless connection,” “delivered unbelievable range,” “does WiFi right,” and “worth every penny.”

However, not wanting to be influenced by hype before my testing of the product in preparation for this review, I simply took the product out of the box, installed the software for my Mac laptop to use the device, plugged it into the USB port and clipped the antenna onto the top of the screen on the open Mac, and “took off!”

The first test was at home. I have a wireless network with 2 Macs, a desktop and a laptop. The wireless router and the desktop Mac are in the same room so signal strength is never an issue there. The laptop is used in other rooms and, other than during the summer, sometimes used outside. With the built-in Airport WiFi, the laptop gets good signal inside but is moderately reduced in the back of the house outside. With the Wi-Fire attached and connected to the laptop, I saw little reduction in signal strength anywhere inside or outside of my home while still on the property. Normally, I can “see” four to six networks nearby when I click on the Airport icon (the radiating symbol with quarter-circle loops expanding upward) on the upper toolbar. Signal strength is indicated by the number of expanding upward loops, the strongest being 4. Right now, I can “see” the names of 4 networks, one of which is mine. That means that three of my neighbors have wireless networks that my laptop wifi can pick up. All three of them are secured, as is mine. I know this because each of the displayed networks has a padlock symbol beside it.

The Wi-Fire device showed 12 networks while I was sitting at exactly the same location where the laptop airport wifi showed 4. Uh-oh, two of the eight additional networks that the Wi-Fire “saw” didn’t have padlocks, meaning the owner has not installed security. Not wise!!

Next, I took the Wi-Fire out for several rides with my laptop. First, I drove around my village and, when I returned home, I counted the number of networks listed for the Wi-Fire. During my short drive, the Wi-Fire picked up 32 networks, all but three of which were locked, excellent!

Two other more remote tests simply confirmed what was now extremely obvious. The Wi-Fire really extends your signal range! First, I drove to the Strip-Mall area on Serene with WalMart/Sam’s at the West end. I parked in the middle of the parking lot near the East end of Office Max. After about five minutes, the Wi-Fire had picked 196 networks, three of which were not locked. The strongest of the unlocked networks was Der Weinersnitzel, which is obviously intentionally open for customers.

Finally, on the way home, I went out by the M Resort to see what they had to offer in the wireless arena. The Wi-Fire picked up the M signal so far out from the casino that it proved one of hFields’s claims about the Wi-Fire to be wrong! They claim that it can extend the range of your wireless signal reception up to 1000 feet. I was 3 tenths of a mile from the M when it picked up their signal – a roughly measured distance of at least 1500 feet!

In summary regarding the capabilities of the Wi-Fire adapter, it can provide you with a dramatic extension of range for using your computer’s wireless access. Additionally, in the closer ranges, it will greatly increase your computer’s signal strength. It is also very easy to install and use.

A very important question that might arise is, “Who might want or need the Wi-Fire?” My experience with it tells me that I would find one very useful if I frequently travel away from home or frequently use my laptop outside home. It would be useful at home if normal wifi signal strength is weak with your computer’s built-in wifi access. If you have an RV, it would greatly enhance your travelling wifi reception at an RV Park for example. The question is very appropriately answered on the product package. “Who needs the Wi-Fire? Anyone who wants WiFi when they want it, where they want it.”

Chuck Nail
President
Anthem Mug
Henderson, NV