Gain Antenna
still can’t get a good signal quality inspite changing to a high gain antenna on my wireless broadband router.
“good signal quality” – from ‘fair’ to ‘good’ or better, ‘very good’ siganal.
I’m not sure if this is a followup to an earlier question perhaps? Anyway, I’m assuming your wireless device (I will assume it’s a laptop) is reporting a less than excellent signal quality. How is the signal strength though? Need to consider both signal strength and quality together.
Because if the signal strength is good/excellent but the signal quality is poor/fair then this could be interference, such as from a 2.4GHz cordless telephone system, bluetooth devices, or from a closeby neighbor who is using their own wireless LAN on the same channel as you.
If the signal strength is poor/fair AND the quality is also poor/fair then it could be distance related and a high gain antenna might help. Sounds like you tried this without good results. It depends on the orientation of your network… for example if the access point is on the 2nd floor and you’re trying to boost your signal on the first floor or in the basement. This matters because the standard antennas have a radiation pattern shaped like a donut, and the high gain antenna pattern is more flattened out like a pancake. So you will only make the most of your high gain antennas when you’re at about the same level and not too much above or below the access point where the dead zones are. The over/under dead zones are more pronounced with the high gain antennas because the RF energy is being flattened out so it has farther reach. Even on the same level it depends on how many walls the signal needs to pass through, and what they’re made of.
Here are some things to try. First change channels, try channels 1,6,11 in turn and see if you have the same results on all 3 channels. This can help rule out co-channel interference from a neighbor. If you suddenly find that one channel works much better, you’re done. Next try to rule out other sources of interference, like 2.4GHz cordless telephones. Do you have bluetooth devices right near your access point or laptop? Temporarily disable them and see if there’s a difference. Do you have the access point in a bad spot? Such as in the kitchen on top of the microwave oven next to the fridge? Or in a basement office between 2 metal filing cabinets? Even if it’s already in what you think is a good spot, consider a new location just in case you’re getting real bad multipath interference from things you don’t realize, like ductwork in the walls/cielings, etc.
Worst case, get yourself some type of basic site survey tool if your wireless card didn’t already come with one, and walk around to see where your signal goes bad. Try this with the access point in different locations. Also try it with your original antennas, you may find they work just as well as the high gain depending on your setup.
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Ruggedmax ANTN0057 360 degree Low Gain Omni Antenna 3.6-3.8GHz 6dBi $39.00 |
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Tram UHF 406-512MHz Base Antenna 6.7db Gain 200 Watts $79.95 |
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Cobra Mobile CB Radio With Dynamike Gain Control And SWR Antenna Calibration And $149.99 |
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NEW Andrew (Decibel) DB493-K 6db gain 900MHz Yagi Antenna HAM No Reserve $19.99 |
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Tram/Browning UHF High Gain Magnet Mount Antenna NEW $29.95 |
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Tram Browning UHF 450-460MHz Base Antenna 5db Gain NEW $79.95 |
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RING GEAR FROM A HAM IV HY GAIN ROTOR $9.95 |
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Tecsun AN-100 AM MW Rotatable Tuneable Gain Loop Antenna for BCL Receiver RX $17.95 |
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SURECOM SC951 SF High Gain tri-band antenna For Baofeng UV-5R $16.40 |
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Larsen 144-174 Mhz VHF High Gain NMO Antenna NMO150B $34.95 |
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hy-gain AV-6160 1500W 43′ Self-Supporting Vertical Antenna for 160-6M $150.00 |
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TELEX HY-GAIN HAM RADIO ANTENNA ROTOR AND CONTROL BOX H-IV CD-45-II VINTAGE $101.50 |
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HY-GAIN TRA-4 HAM RADIO ROTOR AND CONTROL BOX CDR VINTAGE TESTED AND WORKING $79.00 |
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TOP GAIN FM Broadcast Antenna 87.5-108Mhz 5kW High Pwr $699.00 |
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ASTRON 2 DIPOLE Array UHF Antenna 3 dBd Gain Omni 466 MHZ Aes Intellinet $49.99 |
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3 High Gain Scanner Antennas 100-1000 Mhz Uniden GRE $30.00 |
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HY-GAIN HAM IV ANTENNA ROTOR AND CONTROL with SOUTH CENTER DIAL $113.61 |
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Ham radio 2m 2meter Quad 8 elements 7 ft boom 144-148 Mhz 12dB gain estimate $99.00 |
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Antenna Specialist ASPG1860M Mobile Rooftop Antenna / 3dB Gain / Blk Whip 800mhz $18.99 |
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ICOM IC F221S UHF F-221S 221S Radio W HUSTLER TRUNK MOUNT ANTENNA 5.2 dB gain $244.95 |
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Tram VHF 134-184MHz Base Antenna 5′ 7″ – 4.5db Gain $69.95 |
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2 ea. X-Band Hi-Gain Microwave Horns $37.00 |
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UHF TV High Gain Yagi Antenna CH21-CH69 500W 10db $199.00 |
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Browning BR-160 VHF 144-174 MHz Antenna High Gain NMO $19.95 |
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Browning BR-150 VHF 144-174 MHz Antenna High Gain NMO $19.95 |
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Larsen 144-174 Mhz VHF 5/8 Wave NMO High Gain Antenna $29.95 |
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2.4 GHz Antenna Cisco Symbol Spectrum Commercial High Gain Wireless WiFi 802.11 $21.95 |
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OPEK BS 150 ALUMINUM BASE ANTENNA FOR 2 METERS WITH 6 db GAIN $59.99 |
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MICROWAVE WR-90 HORN ANTENNA FOR 8 TO 12 GHz, 8 dB GAIN — MILITARY AT-68/UP $32.50 |
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Laird Technologies 144-174 Mhz VHF High Gain Antenna Spring Base $39.95 |
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40 ft+ ROHN 25 AG2 guyed radio tower HY GAIN EXPLORER 14 CUSH CRAFT 12/17 BEAM $950.00 |
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2 NEW Tongyu WiFi 4dBi Gain TNC Antennas 2.5 – 2.7GHz $9.95 |
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“HY-GAIN” MODEL 300 ROTOR FOR HAM RADIO $9.99 |
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NOS HY-GAIN Super Penetrator 500 5/8 wave base station CB antenna $349.00 |
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Sirio New Tornado 27 High Gain 5/8 Wave CB Base Antenna $89.00 |
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Sirio Gain-Master Hi-Tech Fiberglass 10m & CB Base Antenna $180.00 |
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NEW Yagi Base Antenna UHF 450 – 470 – 3 Elements – 7.1 dBd Gain – WELDED Quality $66.99 |
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Jetstream 2M/220/440 Tri Band, Gain Antenna, JT776SMA $23.90 |
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lucent GPS Timing Reference Antenna 26db Gain.N connect $0.01 |
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CDE ANTENNA CDR HAM ROTATOR STAINLESS STEEL RING GEAR HAM 4 HY-GAIN T2X NEW $24.95 |
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Laird Technologies 144/440 MHz VHF UHF 2m/70cm Dual Band High Gain Antenna NEW $59.95 |
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VHF Base Antenna w/ gain- Stainless Steel J-Pole $59.95 |
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High gain GP antenna+1W/6W FM Stereo PLL Transmitter radio station+Power adapter $116.99 |
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2M/440 Dual Band High Gain Mobile Antenna, NMO UV-325 $32.95 |
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9dBi High Gain Router Antenna For Asus WL-520gC WL-520gU Wireless $7.99 |
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Laird Technologies 450-470 MHz 5db High Gain UHF Antenna # B4505C $34.95 |
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100w 150w 1/2 Half Wave FM Transmitter Dipole GP Antenna High gain outdoor $149.00 |
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OPEK HR -12 DUAL BAND 144/444 PORTABLE ANTENNA GAIN TYPE LOW PRICE! FREE SHIP $19.99 |
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ANTENNA SPECIALISTS ASPG1860T MOBILE ROOFTOP ANTENNA / 3dB GAIN / BLACK WHIP $20.00 |
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Laird Technologies 144-174 Mhz VHF 5/8 Wave High Gain Antenna $29.95 |
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Sigma Venom 1/2 Wave High Gain CB Base Station Antenna $39.13 |
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TOP GAIN FM Broadcast Antenna 87.5-108Mhz 7.5dbi $799.00 |
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144-156 Mhz PERMANENT MOUNT WIDEBAND 3dB GAIN ANTENNA $68.55 |
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150-162 Mhz PERMANENT MOUNT WIDEBAND 3dB GAIN ANTENNA $68.55 |
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Nagoya NA-773 rod antenna high gain UV double platform antenna $12.00 |
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SURECOM SC951 SMA High Gain tri-band antenna for UV-3R $13.70 |
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Nagoya NA-701 double hand antenna gain antenna 20 cm $11.00 |
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1.2 GHz Antenna with 2.15 dB Gain TX/RX Straight $14.95 |
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JETSTREAM JTM2B DUAL BAND GAIN TYPE MAG MOUNT ANTENNA LOW COST FREE SHIPPING $29.99 |
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JETSTREAM JTM2S DUAL BAND GAIN TYPE MAG MOUNT ANTENNA LOW COST FREE SHIPPING $24.99 |
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!!!10 GHZ X BAND 17 DB GAIN HORN ANTENNA!!! $20.00 |
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Walkie talkie antenna high gain of stainless steel can be folded antenna $15.00 |
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VHF 2 meter Base Antenna 144 – 174 MHz Tram 1491 7.8 DB Gain FREE SHIP!! $95.55 |
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VHF MARINE FIBERGLASS Base Antenna Tram 1491 7.8 DB Gain FREE SHIP!! $95.54 |
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GIZMOTCHY 6 METER POWER BOOSTER (ADD AN ELEMENT AND MORE DB GAIN) $54.99 |
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TV VHF HIGH GAIN ANTENNA – CH7-CH13 170-230Mhz 500Watt $199.00 |
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Yagi Antenna for 400-1000 Mhz 2 Element with 4.5db Gain $75.00 |
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162-174 Mhz PERMANENT MOUNT WIDEBAND 3dB GAIN ANTENNA $68.55 |
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144-174 Mhz PERMANENT MOUNT 3dB GAIN ANTENNA $47.85 |
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UHF 445-470 MHz 4.5dB GAIN NMO ANTENNA $18.95 |
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153-169 Mhz PERMANENT MOUNT WIDEBAND 3dB GAIN ANTENNA $68.55 |
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LARSEN 406-420 Mhz PERMANENT MOUNT 3.4 dB GAIN ANTENNA $47.55 |
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LARSEN 420-440 Mhz PERMANENT MOUNT 3.4 dB GAIN ANTENNA $47.55 |
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LARSEN 490-512 Mhz PERMANENT MOUNT 3.4 dB GAIN ANTENNA $47.55 |
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LARSEN 450-470 Mhz PERMANENT MOUNT 3.4 dB GAIN ANTENNA $47.55 |
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VHF 5/8 WAVE 3dB GAIN NMO ANTENNA ALL BLACK $18.99 |
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440-470 Mhz PERMANENT MOUNT WIDEBAND 5 dB GAIN ANTENNA $69.00 |
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SURECOM SC951 SMA High Gain tri-band antenna for VX-7R $13.70 |
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SOLAR HOT ROD C B ANTENNA POWER GAIN C B SYSTEM $29.99 |
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BGY890G Yagi NIB 6.5Db gain $34.99 |
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1.394 GHz Antenna with 2.15 dB Gain TX/RX Straight $19.95 |
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Rod antenna gain antenna walkie-talkie antenna white SMA $8.00 |
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Yagi Base Antenna UHF 450-470 MHz 6 Elements 10.2 dBd Gain with mount N-Femail $114.00 |
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900 MHz Antenna with 2.15 dB Gain TX/RX Straight $14.95 |
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Digital AIS Antenna 3′Length, 3dB Gain, w/15′ Cable – White $64.78 |
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Honeywell AN15620-H 5dBm Gain Omni-directional Antenna with SMA Connector $22.99 |
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SURECOM SC951 High gain tri-band flexible antenna BNC $16.40 |
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SURECOM SC951 SF High Gain tri-band antenna For PX-888 $16.40 |
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MOTOROLA 700/800/900 MHZ NMO MOUNT ANTENNA STAINLESS STEEL 3DB GAIN $12.95 |
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Andrew GPS Timing Reference Antenna 20db Gain.N connect $20.00 |
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Jetstream 2M/220/440 Tri Band High Gain Antenna, JTH2 $30.95 |
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HIGH GAIN! Dual Band Handheld Antennas SMA connector $15.00 |
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VHF 5/8 WAVE 3dB GAIN NMO 136-174MHz ANTENNA $18.99 |
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Larsen 134-174 Mhz WIDEBAND NMO VHF High Gain Antenna $39.95 |
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144-156Mhz MAGNETIC MOUNT 3dB GAIN WIDEBAND ANTENNA $79.20 |
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150-162Mhz MAGNETIC MOUNT 3dB GAIN WIDEBAND ANTENNA $79.20 |
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153-169 Mhz MAGNETIC MOUNT 3dB GAIN WIDEBAND ANTENNA $79.20 |
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162-174 Mhz MAGNETIC MOUNT 3dB GAIN WIDEBAND ANTENNA $79.20 |
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LARSEN 420-440 Mhz MAGNETIC MOUNT 3.4 GAIN ANTENNA $61.45 |
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LARSEN 144-174 Mhz MAGNETIC MOUNT 3dB GAIN ANTENNA $58.45 |
Receiving Clarity – 101 on Directional Antennas
Directional Antennas also acknowledged as beam antennas can assist in focusing the energy in a particular direction which in return can help in trouncing fading and multipath, but multipath on its own diminishes the focusing power of a directional antenna. Directional antennas which are used indoors normally have a subordinate gain; with the result they contain lower front-to-back and front-to-side lobe ratios. All this results in inferior capability to discard or reduce the meddling signals received from directions outside the primary lobe area.
Most of the Directional Antennas functions occur by concentrating the energy of the antenna signal into an exaggerated unidirectional beam. In a majority of line-of-sight applications the directional antenna permits the MPX HD multipoint extender receiver to be located up to 1000 feet from the transmitter. For extensive and standard wavelength frequencies, tower arrays are utilized in most cases as directional antennas. Some of the powerful directional antennas which use 15.8dB gain, like DB8 are meant for people who are at great distances from transmitters. The bow tie design of this directional antenna utilizes triangular elements instead of rods in an effort to increase its bandwidth allowing it to cover the complete UHF band.
Some of the different directional antenna models includes HGA51G-DIR30 Directional Antenna, R&S HE300 Active Directional Antenna, Avayon DB8 Multi-Directional Antenna, TR-24H-90-17, TR-24H-120-16, Astron 5.8 GHz 8 dBi Omni Directional Antenna model VG5808 etc. Some of the manufacturers of directional antennas include Antennas Direct, CP Technologies, Bountiful WiFi, Inc, D-Link Systems, Inc, Cisco Systems, Inc, Hawking Technologies, Inc etc.
There is no denying the fact that directional antennas play a vital role for certain indoor applications, but a mainstream of indoor installations is being utilized by omnidirectional antennas. In the end it can be said that the correct installation of a directional or omnidirectional antenna could be carried with a proper site survey.
This DB8 is the ideal antenna for employing in places that can draw extensive range signals from diverse directions and tender a striking substitute to exercising a Directional Antennas accumulated on a rotator.
About the Author
Sophie Milch currently manages purchasing and inventory control for Comnauts.com. Sophie keeps herself busy by making sure our inventory is filled with quality products, the latest and the greatest. Sophie holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo and is frequent contributor to several technology blogs and magazines. When she’s not working; in typical nerd fashion you can catch Sophie twittering friends, beating down Murlocs in World of Warcraft and watching re-runs of the X-files.
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