Extending home wifi range

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undesign

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I need some help extending the wifi coverage in my house.

Currently have a Netgear DG834GT wireless ADSL router connected to pc in my study. The wifi coverage upstairs and the farthest room from the study downstairs is weak to non-existant.

What are my options - or any suggestions/advice please?

1) From what I've read either an Wifi extender or AP is one option, although that apparently halves your bandwidth (not sure if it matters, I'm not streaming content, mostly just for internet surfing). The extender will be via wifi, whilst the AP is wired?

2) I have a spare netbook, is it possible to use that as an extender?

3) My living room downstairs (PS3) is connected to the router via a cat5 cable. Can I use an extender/AP on that connection in the living room and connect from the extender/AP to the PS3, thereby also increasing wifi signal in that area?

4) I'll probably replace the router's antenna in any case, but doubt whether that will be sufficient.

I also have a Apple Airport Express which can apparently be used as an extender - not sure if I can still use it as a mini-router for its intended purpose then? :confused:

Thanks!
 
Take a huge stainless steel salad bowl, put your wireless router in the bowl. Works wonders, no really :)
 
you could also buy a wireless n route
hook an ethernet cable from your netgear to the new router and use that....
 
Happy Camper said:
Take a huge stainless steel salad bowl, put your wireless router in the bowl. Works wonders, no really :)
Click to expand...

Looking for a hmmm...somewhat more elegant solution. :) Mind you, I can always use my wife's Carrol Boyes bowl - hate the damn thing. :p

STrategos said:
you could also buy a wireless n route
hook an ethernet cable from your netgear to the new router and use that....
Click to expand...

Will help for downstairs (wired connection). Doesn't solve the upstairs issue, can't get cables there and the concrete deck is playing havoc with the wifi signal.

EchoZA said:
ZYXEL WAP 3205 great unit for under R400
Click to expand...

Looks promising, will follow up. R870 at Prophecy.

Garyvdh said:
go to www.poynting.co.za and buy the antenna you need. They can also make up and adapter cable for you if needed.
Click to expand...

Think I'll visit them to see what they can offer.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Still looking for that definitive magic-bullet answer though... :p
 
SiriS said:
Looking for a hmmm...somewhat more elegant solution. :) Mind you, I can always use my wife's Carrol Boyes bowl - hate the damn thing. :p



Will help for downstairs (wired connection). Doesn't solve the upstairs issue, can't get cables there and the concrete deck is playing havoc with the wifi signal.



Looks promising, will follow up. R870 at Prophecy.



Think I'll visit them to see what they can offer.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Still looking for that definitive magic-bullet answer though... :p
Click to expand...

Looks like you are looking for a wireless repeater.
Microsoft of all people have a nifty page on how to improve wireless signal in your house:

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/setup/wirelesstips.aspx

I have the same issue - I have a Cell C stick attached to a router and its very fussy on the location so I lose signal in half my house, so busy checking various repeaters .
This is one option:
http://www.kalahari.com/electronics/TRENDnet-300Mbps-Wireless-Easy-N-Upgrader/33090/41633066.aspx

and then this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Amped-Wireles...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1313050751&sr=1-11
 
SiriS said:
Looking for a hmmm...somewhat more elegant solution. :) Mind you, I can always use my wife's Carrol Boyes bowl - hate the damn thing. :p



Will help for downstairs (wired connection). Doesn't solve the upstairs issue, can't get cables there and the concrete deck is playing havoc with the wifi signal.



Looks promising, will follow up. R870 at Prophecy.



Think I'll visit them to see what they can offer.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Still looking for that definitive magic-bullet answer though... :p
Click to expand...

The ZYXEL is half that price from RECTRON.
 
Thanks guys - just bought a Netgear N-range router. That should sort out the downstairs issues. Will see how it goes upstairs and probably add one of the extenders mentioned above.
 
Putting up a reflector does work, but the gain is marginal and you lose signal on the other side of the reflector. Good idea though if its just just not enough range in one specific direction.
 
Had the exact same problem, check here for the solution - Link
 
Nimz said:
Had the exact same problem, check here for the solution - Link
Click to expand...

Very interesting, I'm reading up on it now. One potential issue -

Powerline networks generally do not work as reliably if devices plug into power strips or extensions cords. Connect directly to the wall outlets for best results. In homes with multiple circuits installed, all devices must connect to the same one circuit to communicate with each other.
Click to expand...

Or does it mean one DB board?

How has it been working for you Nimz?
 
What netgear wireless n router did you get and how much was it, if I may ask ?

Sent from my E10i using MyBroadband Android App
 
SiriS said:
Very interesting, I'm reading up on it now. One potential issue -



Or does it mean one DB board?

How has it been working for you Nimz?
Click to expand...

You have to be careful though, some double story houses have separate electrical DB boards for the 1st floor and one for the 2nd floor. In this case it won't work. The signal has to run through the same electrical DB board.
 
I decided to try out their wireless extender, it is well priced, only R329 with shipping:

http://www.dbg.co.za/product_info.php?products_id=414

Waiting for delivery today, so will test it out and report back later.

TP-LINK Wireless Range Extender TL-WA730RE is designed to establish an advanced wireless network with wider coverage and further range, building a wireless infrastructure instead of unsightly cabling. It provides Range Extender Mode as default wireless mode, working as a relay station to pick up wireless signals from a network´s base router or access point, and repeat the signal flawlessly to previously unreachable or hard-to-wire areas. It also features its auto-repeater function, connecting the unsecured network instantly at a push of Range Extender Button on the exterior. Better still, it can not only get maximum performance with IEEE 802.11n products, but achieves 54Mbps speed when linking with IEEE 802.11g products
Click to expand...
 
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