Extending Wireless Range,just need 6ft more!!

[Wildfire]

I am trying to set up a wireless network for a friend. His existing router was very old and only extending around 5m or so. So we bought a Netgear Rangemax MIMO ADSL Router Modem. Sadly this only extends the signal by 5 more meters and when I take one step forward into the room where we need signal it goes completely.

Anyway my question is: Can I buy a Wireless acess point, put it halfway between the router and the other computer to extend the signal?

Does it have to be the same make and model?

It is really weird that there is signal, then ones step and no signal, but it would be more preferable to extend the range of the wireless as he also uses a laptop, than hardwire the house.

Cheers

Chris

[combemarshal]

What about if you go further away, maybe it is interference causing the loss of the signal??

[agent006]

Change the channel it's using. Get a copy of netstumbler and see what else is broadcasting on which channels and choose one that's least used.

[bogie]

are you using a RangeMAx adapter too?...that will help

also get latest drivers and firmware

and try the router vertically and horizontally and see whats best...make sure its not on a realy shiny surface (especially metal)

[tog]

Try raising the router up? Mine was next to useless until I put it on a high shelf, and now it covers the whole house easily.

[ThePassenger]

As Above.

Also check the manual for the access point and see if it has a pass-through or range extending mode that'll allow it to rebroadcast another points signal. If it does and none of the other tricks work then your laughing. Get an identical unit and then feed it the right settings to do the range extension.

[AquilaEagle]

Get a tin of Pringles and google

[Zad]

This one has quite a good reputation www.freeantennas.com/projects/template2/

Between 9 and 12 dB gain over an isotropic radiator (so about 3-6dB over a normal antenna). More to the point, it shields the antenna from other peoples WiFi systems and so reduces interference.

[Wildfire]

Router is around 7' up so pretty high.

Am using the Rangemax USB adaptor that came with the Router.

It's weird because my cheapy Linksys adapter gave a weak signal. Granted I wan't putting any internet through it.

Any ideas on extending the range via another access point?

I'll check the chanels.

[GreenV8S]

It's possible to get a wireless repeater, and some wireless access points can be configured to work as repeaters. This would effectively double your wireless range.

[ThePassenger]

Wildfire said:

Router is around 7' up so pretty high.

Am using the Rangemax USB adaptor that came with the Router.

It's weird because my cheapy Linksys adapter gave a weak signal. Granted I wan't putting any internet through it.

Any ideas on extending the range via another access point?

I'll check the chanels.

As I said, read the manual and if that make/model will do the range extender job buy a second one. If not it'll be a trawl through manu's websites :S

[Wildfire]

ThePassenger said:

As I said, read the manual and if that make/model will do the range extender job buy a second one. If not it'll be a trawl through manu's websites :S

Hmmm... I was hoping to be able to use a cheaper WAP as a repeater as the rangemax router is pretty expensive. But I've emailed netgear, for all the good it will probably do, but I'll ahev to wait and see.

[ThePassenger]

Wildfire said:

ThePassenger said:

As I said, read the manual and if that make/model will do the range extender job buy a second one. If not it'll be a trawl through manu's websites :S

Hmmm... I was hoping to be able to use a cheaper WAP as a repeater as the rangemax router is pretty expensive. But I've emailed netgear, for all the good it will probably do, but I'll ahev to wait and see.

Problem is that "RangeMax" is a Netgear proprietary solution. Basically it's 802.11G+ (sometimes called 'Super G') so simply slapping on an 11g AP that has the extender settings will work... but will decelerate everything else to 11g speeds as that'll be what your connecting to. To keep the speed you'll need another "RangeMax" device; hence I said if box A can do it, but another box A, as that way you nearly work around anything none standard that manufacturer decided to do with their kit.

Of course if it's just you surfing then screw it, but if your moving data between machines... the speed might be important.

Wireless... lovely when it works... arse when it doesn't. :S

[Wildfire]

Nope speed is not really important, it is just for surfing, so G will be fine.

So I can just get a Netgear AP and use it in repeater mode to extend everything in G mode?

[agent006]

Wildfire said:

So I can just get a Netgear AP and use it in repeater mode to extend everything in G mode?

You can, but then you'll have two access points that are still barely covering 5% of their potential range.

[Wildfire]

Hmmmmmm... I'll aheb to check if my Lynksis has a repeater mode and see if I can use that. My Linksys is a cheapy one with only G and had better coverage than the Super G.

[ThePassenger]

Wildfire said:

Hmmmmmm... I'll aheb to check if my Lynksis has a repeater mode and see if I can use that. My Linksys is a cheapy one with only G and had better coverage than the Super G.

Range seems to be one of those things that is exceptionally weird.
We have a Belkin 802.11g device (technically pre-g) that can throw a signal all over the house, but doesn't have WPA-PSK and will lock itself silly if you apply MAC filtering.
Conversely a Netgear 11g device we've got (single antenna jobbie) has the worst signal I've ever seen despite having a branded omni antenna fitted and slapped as close to the living room as possible.

I'm not suggesting either brand is better then the other just that wifi range seems to be very hit and miss.