Common Questions
Will the Raspberry Pi 5 be supported?
Yes, it already is!
Will older versions, or other models, of the Raspberry Pi be supported?
Given most Raspberry Pi models use the same wifi chipset and due to how Antennas is packaged, yes, it would probably work on those devices. However, I don’t test, certify, or endorse doing so. Only the latest version, subject to my ability to acquire the hardware, is actively tested. That is currently the Raspberry Pi 5.
What operating systems are supported?
Ubuntu Core 26 is officially suported because it gives the best security which is vital for a wireless access point (which is usually the most vulnerable device in your home). If there is ever a bug with the operating system networking stack (like in the past with Ubuntu Core 24 and brcmfmac) then I recommend using Raspberry Pi OS Lite instead (because fixes have landed there sooner).
Will a heatsink worsen my wifi signal?
The wireless antennas are separate from the wireless chip. You can find the antennas by looking for a triangle next to the chip. Placing an appropriately sized heatsink on the wireless chip of your raspberry pi should not worsen signal because it doesn’t block the antennas. The same should apply for the heatsink on the official raspberry pi active cooler.
Will a case worsen my wifi signal?
Most plastic cases will have no significant impact on signal, but some metal cases might act as a faraday cage.
How much RAM (memory) do I need?
A Raspberry Pi with at least 2 GB should be more than enough. Each RAM module has the same memory speed. Therefore, purchasing Raspberry Pis with more memory will have no effect on performance. An entire system with Ubuntu Core 26 and Antennas installed will only use about 393 megabytes of memory according to free --mega. For comparison, most consumer routers don’t have much memory, and an expensive one might have only 512 megabytes.
How much storage space do I need?
A micro sd card with at least 16 GB should be more than enough. Focus on getting a card that is faster (at least V30 and A2). There are recommendations on the Getting Started page. All storage on a fresh install of Ubuntu Core 26 with Antennas only takes 468 megabytes according to df --si.
Can I use a third-party wifi adapter?
Yes, see sudo antennas.config set --help for how to configure a custom “wifi-interface”. Then rerun the “antennas.setup-ap” service. Be warned that the firmware for the third-party wifi adapter will likely be proprietary and buggy leading to a lot of issues. I highly recommend just using the built-in wifi because it has the most stable firmware I’ve been able to find.