The EnGenius SN-920: Review by a User

How Well Does the EnGenius SN-920 Long Range Cordless Phone Work?

A review of the EnGenius SN-920 by a user, 1/15/2001

The EnGenius SN-920 long range cordless phone is advertised as the "longest range" and "highest power" cordless phone available. The advertisers claim that the EnGenius 920 has a range of up to 1 mile in an urban setting, and up to 8.5 miles in "open" territory. EnGenius' own claim is more muted now, but the advertisers frequently still quote the 1 mile and 8.5 mile range numbers--that's probably why you're interested in this phone.

Since the phone is expensive (list $349 + at least $99 for outdoor antenna) wouldn't it be nice to know whether the manufacturer's and advertisers' claims as to its range hold up in real-life experience? And wouldn't it be nice to know BEFORE you bought it?

This is the purpose of my review: to recount my experience purchasing, setting up, testing, and tweaking an EnGenius SN-920 cordless phone. Although the phone has lots of fine features, I will focus on only one: its long range.

Click on any of the sections below to go straight to that item. However, the sections are sequential, so for the full effect you might want to read them in order.

1) Purchasing the EnGenius SN-920

2) Installation Without Outdoor Antenna

3) Testing the Range Without the Outdoor Antenna

4) Installation With the Outdoor Antenna

5) Testing the Range With the Outdoor Antenna

6) Technical Details and Miscellaneous Observations

7) WHY?

8) Conclusions about the EnGenius SN-920

9) Three years later...

10) Ten years later, the Project Ends