alfa awus036h wireless adapter and linux

[seaelf]

Hi...
Is anyone here using the alpha awus036h and linux? I just bought one and they can be used with windows, mac and linux. I can't get it to work properly with linux. I have ubuntu on the lappy. Works ok with windows (on another partition) Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
thanks

 

[TQA]

You need the Linux driver from here

If you already have it delete download again and reinstall.

http://www.alfa.com.tw/in/front/bin/ptlist.phtml?Category=105397

 

[seaelf]

Thanks for the reply. I tried downloading a driver from the link you provided but it didn't work....I think the link was good, just didn't download for some reason. I did manage to get it working briefly, but it just doesn't connect like when running windoze. I tried different flavors, mint and archbang...both work but not fast at all....

 

[Gypsy]

What version of Ubuntu? I just installed the AWUS036nh on 10.4 ASUS EEEPC. I had to ensure the rt2870sta driver was in the Ubuntu build and activated. Here are my notes I made at the time. Even if your hardware is different, I think the situation will be the similar if you are using 10.4.

Plugged in Alfa AWUS036NH. Initially didn’t work. It needs driver “rt2870sta” which is part of the 10.4 build. Found www forum advice to ‘blackout’ a driver ‘rt2800usb’ used for other Alfa (RT) WiFi modules, which is apparently loaded at the same time and can cause non-operation. This is done in the ‘terminal’ app by using:
$ sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
add a line:
blacklist rt2800usb
A reboot is required.
The above change did not cause the wifi to spring to life because wifi must be turned on at the EEEPC using Fn+F2, the same as if you wanted you use the internal wifi.
The internal wifi is still active as can be seen with:
$ iwconfig
This shows wlan0 and wlan1 but if the internal wifi is turned off, running iwconfig when the external wifi is connected shows only wlan1 but doesn’t activate the internal comms path to allow it to operate. Use Fn+F2 to start wifi operation but performance is reduced with 2 wifi systems trying to access the same AP.
The internal wifi driver is ‘ath5k’. This can be stopped by issuing the command:
$ sudo modprobe –r ath5k
And turned on again with:
$ sudo modprobe ath5k OR
After a reboot, the internal wifi will start without further intervention.
Typical signal strength shown for my wifi from upstairs:
Internal wifi - 72% only
EdiMax wifi dish USB – 55%
Alfa AWUS036NH USB & Internal – 75%
Alfa AWUS036NH USB only – 100%

Created scripts in ‘Desktop’ to STOP or START the internal WiFi
stop_int_wifi.sh
start_int_wifi.sh

I hope the above helps. I am only a 'youngster' with Unix/Linux so others may have more detail or more accurate info, but it worked for me.