Boost a Wifi signal

[ksnijders]

I posted this on the ADSL technical forum, someone suggested I post it here rather.

I'm sure this is a common question, forgive me for repeating it.
I've just had ADSL installed, I'm using a Netgear router (model no. DG834GUK) and Netgear adapters (WG311GE). I live in a house with 2 floors, with a pretty solid concrete slab separating them. My router is installed upstairs, my PCs downstairs can't pick up a signal. Testing with my laptop, the signal drops to naught at the bottom of the stairwell.

What are my options?
I've heard of a repeater device, but this doesn't seem to be available in SA.
I've also seen a booster mentioned on Netgear's website, ditto for that.
Seeing as I sold my housemates on the 'wireless' nirvana, I'm hoping I can get connectivity without running cables.

(BTW, I've read the posts in this forums on antennas, forgive my ignorance, but is that how one typically boosts a Wifi signal?)

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[bboy]

if you goto www.expansys.co.za you should be able to look up this router, and it should tell you about the compatible antenna for it, and prices too!

 

[ajax]

This may seem very "primitive" but it may just work, at least, as a temporary solution.

We experienced a similar problem with our cordless phone not picking up signal at the other end of the house. So I connected about 20 or 30 m of copper wire to the base station antenna and routed it through the ceiling all the way to the other side of the house. All the rooms then had good reception right to the end of the house. I suppose you can see it as a very long leaky cable antenna.

But that was for 40MHz, I think. I dunno how well it will work for 2 GHz. But if you got some flex lying around and you can get onto the antenna or antenna terminal, give it a shot. Run the wire down the side of the house where you want reception. You could probably just leave it hanging outside and see if you have reception downstairs.

 

[TheRoDent]

Turn the access point on it's side. The output signal is typically "flat" in a "lobe" around the antennae of the AP.

 

[G2V]

I posted this on the ADSL technical forum, someone suggested I post it here rather.

I'm sure this is a common question, forgive me for repeating it.
I've just had ADSL installed, I'm using a Netgear router (model no. DG834GUK) and Netgear adapters (WG311GE). I live in a house with 2 floors, with a pretty solid concrete slab separating them. My router is installed upstairs, my PCs downstairs can't pick up a signal. Testing with my laptop, the signal drops to naught at the bottom of the stairwell.

What are my options?
I've heard of a repeater device, but this doesn't seem to be available in SA.
I've also seen a booster mentioned on Netgear's website, ditto for that.
Seeing as I sold my housemates on the 'wireless' nirvana, I'm hoping I can get connectivity without running cables.

(BTW, I've read the posts in this forums on antennas, forgive my ignorance, but is that how one typically boosts a Wifi signal?)

Any advice would be much appreciated.

I had extactly the same problem with a concrete slab and no signal downstairs.

I solved my problem by installing a MicroLink dLAN Wireless kit, see

http://www.devolo.com/co_EN/produkte/dlan/mldlanwireless.html.

Seeing you already have netgear equipment, you could also use the following:

http://www.netgear.com/products/details/WGXB102.php

It works like a dream with a perfect signal downstairs, but as far as I know these items are not available in SA. Try Ebay in the UK or Germany or get somebody to bring them in from Europe.

 

[Connection]

For anyone finding this post, we had a similar problem and the WGXB102 is now available in SA. Check out http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/jsp/item/Item.jsp?Trade_TradeId=3655129

 

[ath0]

I posted this on the ADSL technical forum, someone suggested I post it here rather.

I'm sure this is a common question, forgive me for repeating it.
I've just had ADSL installed, I'm using a Netgear router (model no. DG834GUK) and Netgear adapters (WG311GE). I live in a house with 2 floors, with a pretty solid concrete slab separating them. My router is installed upstairs, my PCs downstairs can't pick up a signal. Testing with my laptop, the signal drops to naught at the bottom of the stairwell.

What are my options?
I've heard of a repeater device, but this doesn't seem to be available in SA.
I've also seen a booster mentioned on Netgear's website, ditto for that.
Seeing as I sold my housemates on the 'wireless' nirvana, I'm hoping I can get connectivity without running cables.

(BTW, I've read the posts in this forums on antennas, forgive my ignorance, but is that how one typically boosts a Wifi signal?)

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Try one of those 9dbi dipole RubberDuck's from miro.

 

[RichardP]

Just use Homeplug appliances... and then there will never be a wireless problem again
devolo, Duxbury etc etc all have em

 

[Dolby]

I've got the same issue actually! Just wondered if it's possible to replace the little 15cm black anteanna that you get free with the device? I have a Showcentre 200 and a Linksys wireless router.