Extending range of WiFi network

[off_again]

Recently moved my home office to a different room and unfortunately I can no longer get a signal while watching TV in the front room - ah shucks...!

The WiFi access point is a Linksys jobbie with a standard single receiver. Any suggestions on how to extend the range? Bigger ariel or a booster somehow?

A bit stuck really....

[Lockstock2sb]

One option is to move the access point to another location. The higher the better (wall mount). i personally would try and house it in the loft for maxiumum coverage. Remember that the aerials play a big part on the performance so try adjusting them and retesting the signal before moving it.

I know you can buy different aerial stalks for other access points which can have a bearing on the signal strength... but that should be a last resort. Its far beter to move the access point to an optimium position.

Hope that helps.....

[JonRB]

Depending on the size of your house, you may want to consider adding an additional Access Point to get full coverage.

[stuuu]

You tried changing the channel its using?

wonder if sticking the Access Point next to a big metal object like a radiator would help??

you can get wireless cards which take additional arials on cables...

[GreenV8S]

Isn't there some trick you can play with pringle cans to give you a stronger but more directional signal? Seem to remember reading this somewhere ...

[FrenchTVR]

I have a piece of slightly shaped tinfoil taped to the wall behind my USB adaptor. Makes a big distance as I found out the other day when it fell down and I lost the network. I'm using mine at 45 metres and through two walls and a window.
If you search the archives there is a link ot a NZ site which tells you all about making dishes from colanders etc. Amazing what works.

[s a m]

Power Booster: www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=79363
Quickfind code: 79363

Other Wi-Fi Range Boosting things...
www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=4358818382&action=c2hvd3N1YmNhdGVnb3J5X3BhZ2U=&subcat_uid=1027

Found this lot on ebuyer. I am not affiliated with or associated with ebuyer in any way, but I think this is what you need.

[fatsteve]

There are a number of options depending on your existing harware.

1. If you're AP has a reverse SMA connection then you can buy and external antenna(go for an omni-directional one)

2. Buy a hardware repeater, this is configured to the same SID and channel as your access point and "repeats" the signal it recieves (ie would sit half way between the AP and your wireness nodes). Please note that this simply repeats the recieving signal rather than simply amplifying it and hence generally offers the best results (I've gone some geeky stuff before with large redirectional antennae and a repeater to achive quite a distance )

3. Buy an amplifier, last choice to be honest, since like all amps, increasing the gain also increases the noise (shouting at a concert analogy)

Useful bit's an bobs here <a href="http://www.expansys.com/d_wireless.asp">www.expansys.com/d_wireless.asp</a>

HTH

Steve

>> Edited by fatsteve on Friday 7th January 21:05

>> Edited by fatsteve on Friday 7th January 21:06

[fatsteve]

GreenV8S said:

Isn't there some trick you can play with pringle cans to give you a stronger but more directional signal? Seem to remember reading this somewhere ...

Hehe, yeah, it does work!!, but as you rightly say it's directional (yaggi aerial - like a TV one)

Steve

[Davey S]

woks are better than pringle cans - 22 miles is the record in New Zealand

[malman]

pringles ariel
www.netscum.com/~clapp/wireless.html

plumbing pipe antenna
www.amsterdamwireless.net/workshop-15-12/3.html

chinese cookware based antenna
www.stanford.edu/~jstockdl/tmp/usbwifi.orcon.net.nz/

[off_again]

Thanks chaps - that Linksys range extender looks like just the thing. Looks like eBuyer will get even more of my precious money then! Oh well - thanks again though. Didnt know one existed.