Reddit mentions of Alfa AWUS036H Upgraded to 1000mW 1W 802.11b/g High Gain USB Wireless Long-Rang WiFi Network Adapter with 5dBi Antenna - for Wardriving & Range Extension

I have excellent experience with WIFI adapters.

I started using them back since early 2000's when WIFI wasn't even a big thing yet.

My professional advice would be don't be hard set on "Brands" (meaning don't buy a WIFI adapter because it's Linksys, Netgear, or whatever), this most important thing about a WIFI adapter is the "CHIPSET" manufacturer.

What you are looking for is a reliable chipset manufacturer (what's inside the wifi adapter) and not the outside branding.

These are my suggestions:

1. Atheros
   
2. Realtek RL
   
3. Broadcom
   
4. Prism (usually on high powered Senaos)
   
   In that order. Find a wireless adapter with any of those built in chipsets and you will have a reliable, stable and fast connection no matter what.
   
   Fun Fact: I used to do lots of wireless auditing and needed a wifi adapter with "mode monitor" support.
   
   (Yes, WEP cracking and WPA cracking if you are looking to audit your own security).
   
   
   One of my recommendations would be something like this which is what I still been using for years (USB for hooking up to desktop or laptop).
   
   Alfa AWUS036NHR or this one too.
   
   Ignore the information on the column that says "windows not supported" on the aircrack page. That's just for the airodump/aircrack support, not the device itself.
   
   
   

Look around! I'm using the coffee shops wifi but I'm not inside - http://www.amazon.com/Alfa-Network-Wireless-802-11g-AWUS036H/dp/B000WXSO76

I recently researched this and found that the Alfa brand USB adapters are most commonly recommended due to good performance and support in Linux (also listed in the aircrack link by xaocon). Keep in mind though that some of the most recommended ones, like this popular one only supports b/g WiFi networks, so if you want to play with a n network you have to get an updated model. I have this one and it works well but doesn't pick up as many WiFi points as the first one linked..

You need a portable router to log into the hotel's wifi, and repeat it to your room. They likely have AP isolation on, so each device will not be able to see, (or communicate), with each other. You're basically going to need to set up a router to reroute the hotel's wifi on your own private network. it's the same principal as repeating a public access point for use in your house. These will work for your needs:

Alfa Network 1000mW High Power Wireless G 802.11g Wi-Fi USB Adapter with 5dBi Antenna AWUS036H: $29.99 + Alfa R36 802.11 b/g/N Repeater and Range Extender for AWUS036H:$79.99

Cheaper solution: TP-Link N300 Wireless Wi-Fi Nano Travel Router with Range Extender/Access Point/Client/Bridge Modes (TL-WR802N): $27.95

Im sorry to say, most netgear wifi cards are absolutely not gonna work on linux, I mean you could use ndiswrapper but its a complete pain in the ass if it doesnt work immediately. I would get one of these, I got one 4-5 years ago and still use it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000WXSO76/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1479015363&sr=8-2&pi=SL75_QL70&keywords=alfa+awus036h

It works out of the box on linux, and comes with a disk with install firmware and software for every OS that is compatable with it as well. Plus the range is amazing. I can pick up a signal from a regular suddenlink router/modem combo from the length of about 2 trailers.

They're relatively expensive and are slower than most usb dongles (as it's wireless G), but an Alfa USB wireless card such as this one would work wonders.

And if you ever change your mind about using an RPi as a router you can always use the dongle for packet capture or a wireless bridge or a portable NAS with its own WLAN or for creating a wirelessly controlled drone that can fly around and hack into other drones and take them over. Lots of stuff you can do with it.

A one time purchase of $21.99 makes internet free for most people that live near civilization.

have you checked the compatibility list?
http://www.aircrack-ng.org/doku.php?id=compatibility_drivers&DokuWiki=b14024811c3cccc5dfa529c40f9ca7eb#which_is_the_best_card_to_buy

I just ordered this:
http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B000WXSO76?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

Here is the desktop version of your link

The card is hard coded to not go into 'promiscuous mode'. I hate to promo, but I really like the Alpha link. It works on all machines (win/nix/osx), it's portable and comes w/ two antennas. Here is a list of compatible cards if you wanted to pick one for yourself. But I can attest, after having the alfa for years, it works and its simple. here is a link explaining the requirements of a card. Hope this helped you move fwd! feel free to mssg me with any questions you may have. I'm happy to help you leap forward.

You have to remember that even if you can get frames from your computer to the acres point that the AP may not have enough strength to get frames back to you. In any case, I've used this on several occasions and it works well.

This should give you a couple more bars. https://www.amazon.com/Network-Wireless-802-11g-Adapter-AWUS036H/dp/B000WXSO76/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1498670299&sr=8-2&keywords=alpha+networks+awus036h It will allow you to hook up one laptop. If you want wifi for several devices hook up the above with this device https://www.amazon.com/Alfa-R36-Repeater-Extender-AWUS036H/dp/B004ZF0I3U/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1498670299&sr=8-4&keywords=alpha+networks+awus036h
With the combination you are taking your neighbors wifi boosting their signal strength and then creating your own wifi network for everyone in your house to use. I have had this set up at my lake house for several years. I us a high gain antenna like this https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Directional-Parabolic-Connector-TL-ANT2424B/dp/B003CFATOW/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1498670676&sr=8-12&keywords=high+gain+wifi+antenna
pointed across the lake (1500 feet est) at my friends house and use the above devices to create my own wifi for my house. It works for internet browsing but its not enough speed for streaming video. You may just want to start with the alpha hooked to one pc and see how that goes and what king of increase in signal and speed you get. The nice thing about all of this is since it is from Amazon any/all can be returned. All the pieces add up in price but if it gives you free internet you can justify it and the return on investment is really good considering how expensive internet would be especially for occasional use.

I hear many pentesters talk about Pentoo as the better wireless platform and they recommend the :

tplink TL-WN722N- http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WN722N-Wireless-Adapter-External/dp/B002SZEOLG

and the alfa awus036h- http://www.amazon.com/Alfa-Network-Wireless-802-11g-AWUS036H/dp/B000WXSO76

Also if you are into wireless pentesting heres the playlist for the 2014 DefCon Wireless Village Talks: http://www.irongeek.com/i.php?page=videos/defcon-wireless-village-2014/mainlist

I use this on SMOS/BAMT: http://www.amazon.com/ALFA-Network-AWUS036H-Wireless-802-11g/dp/B000WXSO76/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1398268056&sr=1-2&keywords=awus036h

Try one of these I love mine. Youre also going to get a reduced speed if your router is not able to handle the throughput so that may be something to look into as well