Help with Home WIFI range

[TonyA]

Hi All,


I have set up a small home network with 3 PCs. 2 Desktops hardwired to a Telkom ASDL WIFI Router (Marconi) and a laptop with a USB dongle wifi. The network works fine as does internet access. The 2 desktops are using Win XP Pro and the laptop Win 2000.

My house was built in 1784 and the walls are extremely thick. The wifi router is mounted in the family room with the 2 desktops. I use the laptop about 18 - 20 m away. The signal is reported as poor 25-30% and the link is 100%. I still get access to Internet and rest of network, but sometime lose the connection and speed varies between 1 mb and 5.5mb (reported by network icon).

Does any one have any advice on how I can extend the range of the router eg using a different antenna or some kind of relay sysytem or amplifier.

If so where in Cape Town could I buy equipemnt or parts to make the required solution!


Have Good Day!

 

[MrJones]

Depends on what router you have, but there are quite a few options out there which offer Antennaes which can extend the range of your router. I know Dlink and Trendnet offer the antennaes and the are anything from R250 to R1000. I know a few online stores have 'em, but if you're looking for one right now in CT, I'm not sure where to start, as I live in JHB .

 

[arf9999]

Cheap solution 1: First try changing the orientation of your router's antenna. Sometimes you'll get better reception when it is horizontal .

Cheap solution 2: Get a USB extension cable, you'll be able to place the usb dongle in various positions to get the best signal without moving the laptop.

Cheap solution 3: If you don't need omni directional access from the router (if the router is on one side of the house and you'll always be accessing it from the same direction) you can try a reflector on the router's antenna. I've done this a few times and it really works and is MUCH cheaper than buying an additional antenna. Instructions here: http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template/index.html

Worst case senario: You'll need to invest in an antenna or a repeater. Most APs can be set up to be repeaters.

 

[TonyA]

Hi, Thanks for info. Do you have any idea how far they will extend range

 

[arf9999]

Hi, Thanks for info. Do you have any idea how far they will extend range

The reflectors? Usually you'll be looking at around +5dB (but these are highly directional, so YMMV), 5dB is around 60% improvement in signal AFAIK.

 

[TonyA]

Thanks I tried reorienting the modem, it now lies on its side with antenna pointing towards the passage wall. Signal strenghth has jumped to 40 % to 45 %, so guess I'll with that for a while. Thanks for help.

 

[slowgo]

Hi All,


I have set up a small home network with 3 PCs. 2 Desktops hardwired to a Telkom ASDL WIFI Router (Marconi) and a laptop with a USB dongle wifi. The network works fine as does internet access. The 2 desktops are using Win XP Pro and the laptop Win 2000.



Have Good Day!

Please tell me how you got the laptop with 2000 and a USB WIFI to work. I have a belkin and just cannot seem to get this up and running

 

[TonyA]

Hi, It took me quite a while as well, had to reload drivers constnatly, but seems fine now +- 2 weeks.

You need to check the following

1. On dongle config menu check that the settings are
SSID the same as your profile you named router.
2.Wireless mode is set to infrastructure
3 Channel set to same as router.
4. Preamble = Long preamble.
5. Power mode = contious access mode (not sure this really matters)

Run site survey model of software and ensure you create a profile with same name as ssid
Security should be set to WEP
Authentication mode should be set to Open Authentication
Default Key should be set to 128 bits. Use Key 1. You can find the key on the bottom of the router (Marconi WIFI from telkom)
Key Format = Hex

Click apply

Now you should be up and running at least on the Marconi.
Sorry can't help any further, fairly new at this.

 

[Silent_Bob]

1784, Woah!

 

[TonyA]

1784

Massive Walls, Stone not brick (try drilling and see what I mean)

High Ceilings with yellow wood , floors the same. Doors exceptionally wide (suits me I'm a wide guy)

Built for protection, but not for radio penetration