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Question

Wifi reception boosting

Jul 19, 2015 9:53PM PDT

I'm already planning on getting a small booster I found for my laptop but it's a usb deal so won't work for phone and tablet, my question is. Is there a way to connect this device to a router or something like that instead of just the computer so it works as a relay like thing so that I can pick up the signal and use it on more that just the one device, I drive a truck and tend to be just out of usable range of most free provided signals so I'm trying to figure this out so I can use my devices without using up all my data on my wireless plan

Discussion is locked

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Answer
longer distance
Jul 19, 2015 10:45PM PDT

$20 dual antenna from Etek does a good job of extending area of coverage you can access. USB port needed. Works in Windows and Linux too. See Amazon.

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But
Jul 20, 2015 11:23AM PDT

Sounds like that will still just boost the laptop instead of extending the signal so I can use all devices on it

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antenna size makes a big difference
Jul 20, 2015 6:13PM PDT
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AN/FLR-9

During my time spent in Air Force in ESC. Antenna makes a BIG difference in electro magnetic wave communications. If you want a more powerful wifi antenna, google for a yagi and better if in a can or "horn". There is no way to make incoming radio waves stronger, you can only increase your ability to capture them, and then you can boost the signal. The larger the antenna, the greater the weaker signals which can be accessed. The more directional, (by blocking all directions but the one you want with a grounded metal surround) the better also.
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Answer
More work but you must be self sufficient on support.
Jul 20, 2015 11:35AM PDT

Let's say I add that WiFi super USB thing. I can then share that connection locally with a hotspot created on the laptop. If this was me I'd use Virtual Router ( https://virtualrouter.codeplex.com/ )

This way I only need to get my laptop up and running well to provide service to the rest. However, you would have to be adept at networking and such to pull this off. Even so, that's the method I used.

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Re
Jul 20, 2015 12:18PM PDT

Yeah computer savey I'm not, most everything I've figured out how to do with my compete has been on accident so trying to set that up probably won't happen well but yay for YouTube maybe I can find a how to for that process thanx