View Full Version : Best way to extend wireless range?
miggols99
January 30th, 2009, 10:28 PM
I'm need to find a way to extend the wireless range for my router to the bottom of my garden, which is completely opposite of the router's location. So the range doesn't reach. Is there a way to enhance the signal so it reaches further?
I don't mind buying a new router or any equipment that will help.
zmjjmz
January 30th, 2009, 10:39 PM
Dd-wrt
miggols99
January 30th, 2009, 10:45 PM
Dd-wrt
Unfortunately my current router (the one provided by Sky) is incompatible. Which router works best with this firmware?
Maheriano
January 30th, 2009, 10:47 PM
Normally you can get proprietary effects like some range booster or other thing if you use a receiver and router from the same company. Otherwise if you're running wireless G, I've heard that wireless N technology will send/receive a farther distance.
miggols99
January 30th, 2009, 10:49 PM
Normally you can get proprietary effects like some range booster or other thing if you use a receiver and router from the same company. Otherwise if you're running wireless G, I've heard that wireless N technology will send/receive a farther distance.
Can you use wireless G equipment with a wireless N router and still have better wireless range?
kerry_s
January 30th, 2009, 10:54 PM
Ethernet over Power(eop).
i got a couple of the netgear 102's, it's simple plug in a go, faster than wireless, 0 interference.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=netgear+Ethernet+over+Power&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=xpg&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=8230972926509792890&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&resnum=1&ct=result#ps-sellers
there's other brands, google it. theres also higher mb models, but my internet is only 3mb max so i didn't need no 85mb model, which costs way more. i got mine on sale cheap, less than $30.
i use it for my room which is actually outside the house, extension, wireless sucked because of the concrete walls.
miggols99
January 30th, 2009, 10:58 PM
Ethernet over Power(eop).
i got a couple of the netgear 102's, it's simple plug in a go, faster than wireless, 0 interference.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=netgear+Ethernet+over+Power&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=xpg&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=8230972926509792890&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&resnum=1&ct=result#ps-sellers
there's other brands, google it.
i use it for my room which is actually outside the house, extension, wireless sucked because of the concrete walls.
It would be a pain to have ethernet. I would have to plug in my laptop to it to get internet..which defeats the object of the portability of the laptop :( And I'd also have to get an ethernet adapter for the Wii...
RaZe42
January 30th, 2009, 11:02 PM
You could always try using pringles cans ;)
Maheriano
January 30th, 2009, 11:13 PM
Can you use wireless G equipment with a wireless N router
yes
and still have better wireless range?
No. It'll pick up the G band from the router and skip N completely.
joshh88
January 30th, 2009, 11:20 PM
Right, only the N will get that far. There was a thing on pcworld.com about a parabola calculator. Kinda lika reflector to amplify the signal towards a given area, but this takes away from the area were the parabola reflector is blocking.
Skripka
January 30th, 2009, 11:21 PM
I'm need to find a way to extend the wireless range for my router to the bottom of my garden, which is completely opposite of the router's location. So the range doesn't reach. Is there a way to enhance the signal so it reaches further?
I don't mind buying a new router or any equipment that will help.
Get a 50' Cat6 cable. I'm of the opine that wireless cards at home are more trouble than they are worth.
smbm
January 30th, 2009, 11:25 PM
http://www.usbwifi.orconhosting.net.nz/
kerry_s
January 30th, 2009, 11:44 PM
It would be a pain to have ethernet. I would have to plug in my laptop to it to get internet..which defeats the object of the portability of the laptop :( And I'd also have to get an ethernet adapter for the Wii...
dude, you can put another wireless router on it and have wireless right there, i had a microsoft wireless router on it that gave me another wireless access point and 4 hard hook ups if i wanted. the bridge extends the main router access, what you put on the other end is up to you.
that reminds me i still have that router.
so i hooked it up real quick here's what it looks like with a wireless router on the end, i haven't setup nothing just pluged it in.
miggols99
January 31st, 2009, 12:03 AM
dude, you can put another wireless router on it and have wireless right there, i had a microsoft wireless router on it that gave me another wireless access point and 4 hard hook ups if i wanted. the bridge extends the main router access, what you put on the other end is up to you.
that reminds me i still have that router.
so i hooked it up real quick here's what it looks like with a wireless router on the end, i haven't setup nothing just pluged it in.
Hey, that's a great idea. Never thought of that. Thanks :D
Johnsie
January 31st, 2009, 12:11 AM
Get a 'wireless repeater' and you'll be sorted. I'm amazed that nobody here has had the sense to mention that since it is the obvsious way to extend a wireless network. Maybe they aren't as tech savvy as they seem ;-)
kerry_s
January 31st, 2009, 12:17 AM
Hey, that's a great idea. Never thought of that. Thanks :D
yeah, i forgot i still even had this router. i just set it up to mirror the main router wireless settings, exact same wireless name, same channel, etc...
i don't have wireless on this laptop so i'm plugged in to the router with a ethernet cable. i haven't used this thing in over a year, i was surprised it still worked. :lolflag:
73ckn797
January 31st, 2009, 12:18 AM
Get a 'wireless repeater' and you'll be sorted. I'm amazed that nobody here has had the sense to mention that. Maybe they aren't as tech savvy as they seem ;-)
And maybe many of us have never had the need to use a repeater so we have no experience with one...........\\:D/
kerry_s
January 31st, 2009, 12:19 AM
Get a 'wireless repeater' and you'll be sorted. I'm amazed that nobody here has had the sense to mention that since it is the obvsious way to extend a wireless network. Maybe they aren't as tech savvy as they seem ;-)
repeaters actually can slow down your network, i'm surprised you didn't know that. ;)
here's a good read:
http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/networks/page8575.cfm
Johnsie
January 31st, 2009, 12:23 AM
Whatver. I guess only those of us with big houses would have much need for a repeater ;-)
They probably do slow down your network a little but I use one and the difference is barely noticible. That 'read' has alot of typos in it but was quite interesting ;-)
miggols99
January 31st, 2009, 12:31 AM
Would this be a good Power Over Ethernet adapter?
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/83823
And I was thinking of getting this router:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/139105
So I can finally get wireless on my Nintendo DS (with AOSS) :D
And only £55 with free postage.
smartboyathome
January 31st, 2009, 01:15 AM
Whatver. I guess only those of us with big houses would have much need for a repeater ;-)
They probably do slow down your network a little but I use one and the difference is barely noticible. That 'read' has alot of typos in it but was quite interesting ;-)
I use a repeater, as I have to share the signal between a house and a studio (they are on different sides of the transformer, so powerline ethernet doesn't work). It makes the internet darn slow, but its better than having to put in a whole new connection there!
Daveski
January 31st, 2009, 01:38 AM
Right, only the N will get that far. There was a thing on pcworld.com about a parabola calculator. Kinda lika reflector to amplify the signal towards a given area, but this takes away from the area were the parabola reflector is blocking.
Right, a reflector will increase the range in one direction at the expense of the others. Try this for a cheap test:
http://binarywolf.com/249/diy-parabolic-reflector.htm
73ckn797
January 31st, 2009, 05:33 AM
What do you do when Ubuntu, only 10 feet away from the wireless router shows a 25% signal and Windows shows 95% signal? Same computer and hardware, dual booting system.
kerry_s
January 31st, 2009, 06:08 AM
Would this be a good Power Over Ethernet adapter?
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/83823
And I was thinking of getting this router:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/139105
So I can finally get wireless on my Nintendo DS (with AOSS) :D
And only £55 with free postage.
dlink is a good brand, but just do a quick google for "dlink problems" or something like that.
warning: i set them both to the exact same settings, don't do that. :) it's like it gets confused, use different settings and set the wireless to roaming(any) it will go with the strongest signal. :lolflag:
i just tested it on the t20 my niece brought back and it works perfect in roaming mode, it connects to mine when shes down stairs and the main 1 when shes up stairs.
so it looks like this
crimesaucer
January 31st, 2009, 06:32 AM
Directional antennas like these:
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=directional+antennas+wifi&cid=10092119526833988195&sa=title#ps-tech-specs
or
http://www.google.com/products?q=directional+antennas+wifi+13+dBi&btnG=Search&hl=en&show=dd
I use this wifi adapter and the 9dBi antenna and the range is much better than a regular embedded wifi card: http://www.tuto-fr.com/en/tutorial/materiel/awus036h-alfa-network.php
check out the range in the second picture down.
miggols99
January 31st, 2009, 11:22 AM
dlink is a good brand, but just do a quick google for "dlink problems" or something like that.
warning: i set them both to the exact same settings, don't do that. :) it's like it gets confused, use different settings and set the wireless to roaming(any) it will go with the strongest signal. :lolflag:
i just tested it on the t20 my niece brought back and it works perfect in roaming mode, it connects to mine when shes down stairs and the main 1 when shes up stairs.
so it looks like this
Heh..I don't think I'll make that mistake ;)
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