Extending wireless router's range-weak signal or none at all

by lizb3th Nov 16, 2004 8:22AM PST

I have a Linksys router w/speedbooster in my basement, next to my son's desktop, which was the "host." My other son's room is in the 3rd floor, & he kept losing his connection. We tried a Linksys signal booster, but didn't work, so we solved this by hard-wiring his desktop to one of the ports in the router. NOW, the problem--he has Dell laptop with Centrino which he uses for school, & we're back to the old problem, the signal to his room is so weak (or non-existent)that he can't download or e-mail files to himself so he can access them on his desktop. He's been using a "memory key" to transfer the files, but gets no internet connection. Linksys recommended I get a wireless access point (WAP54G)to "extend" the router's range without losing signal strength, but this product did not get very good reviews. Another Linksys tech recommended the WRE54G which "extends" the signal,but cuts the strength in half. A friend suggested an inexpensive "hub" to connect his desktop to his laptop, but this means wires & less portability. Any ideas/suggestions that will extend the range or boost the signal. We have 2 desktops & 2 laptops, all running on Windows XP.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -

Its seems that you need an antenna booster

by Gakada Nov 16, 2004 11:29PM PST

and place the wifi router, nearer to the centre of the area you wan to cover.... such as near the basement door(?)

also you might want a strong antenna for the laptop as well..

Other possibility is move your WiFi router to the second flr(?) and check if the basement pc and the 3rd flr pc get an acceptable signal (You need a cable for this..)

Then you might also try to use a cable again from the wifi router to the 3rd floor and use a range expander.

Basically, a WiFi should have a direct line of sight, to have the maximum range.

In my place, I setup a cable from the Wifi Router to any room that might need a connection, and if I need a mobility, I just plugin a 'repeater' on the cable. BTW the Access Point is placed in the center and open area of the house.

- Collapse -

free (or nearly free) fix...

by Dick White Nov 17, 2004 3:23AM PST

http://www.freeantennas.com/

Try their pattern for a parabolic reflector made from cardboard and foil.

Be aware that the radio signal from the dipole antenna is mostly horizontal (when the antenna is pointing straight up and down). There is only a modest vertical dimension to the signal field, and almost nothing straight up. It is like a huge flattened donut with the antenna sticking through the "hole" in the middle. You might first start by tilting the antennae so the donut-shaped broadcast zone tilts up toward that upper bedroom. Maybe that will be enough.

If not, grab your scissors and cardboard and foil. Putting a reflector behind the antenna will redirect the wasted radio energy going out behind the unit back out to the front, and that may give you the extra strength needed to get all the way upstairs. Remember that antenna must be at the exact focus of the parabola of the reflector for best operation - see the notes on the freeantennas site for more about that.

dw

- Collapse -

Extending Laptop Range

by Tall Paul Jan 13, 2005 12:31AM PST

I have a Toshbia A-15 with buildin wireless. I signed up with a service but their antenna is almost 1/2 block away. I can receive 4 green bars in the front of the house, but would like to use the laptop in the back where I receive only 2 bars, not enough to be usable.

I understand a Eithernet antenna can be used but that seems like over kill for the cost, $300 range.

Any ideas

Thanks

Paul

Extending wireless router's range-weak signal or none at all

CNET Forums

Other Forums

Forum Info