Using router to receive wireless signal?

[keribbit5]

hi everyone

i've found out that there's an internet cafe near me that sells portions of its wireless access. from where i am, i previously could get a decent signal and then of course once i bought some access from them, the signal dropped. i want to be able to strengthen my wireless card in my laptop, but am unsure of how to go about this.

a friend suggested using a router connected to my laptop to pick up the cafe's wireless signal. though i thought routers just broadcasted the signal, not pick them up. i've also heard of these wireless ethernet bridges, but know very little about them.

any help would be greatly appreciated

thanks!

 

[Juggy]

Best bet would probably be a wireless card with an external aerial. I think they're called "high power long distance" cards.

Pretty much like the ones used for my wireless. You could also ask them to try changing the wireless channel. I changed from 11 to 3 at home and I get a longer distance with better signal.

 

[Nickste]

Maybe you can put an access point in between you and the internet cafe. Get them to go halvies with you on it, as it extends their range. Maybe what you could do is stick an external antenna on an access point somewhere in your builiding.
This is an example of one: http://www.netgear.com/products/details/WG602.php

Cheers, Nick

 

[skydog]

hi everyone

i've found out that there's an internet cafe near me that sells portions of its wireless access. from where i am, i previously could get a decent signal and then of course once i bought some access from them, the signal dropped. i want to be able to strengthen my wireless card in my laptop, but am unsure of how to go about this.

a friend suggested using a router connected to my laptop to pick up the cafe's wireless signal. though i thought routers just broadcasted the signal, not pick them up. i've also heard of these wireless ethernet bridges, but know very little about them.

any help would be greatly appreciated

thanks!

WRT54GL + OpenWRT (use favorite flavour eg DD-wrt) + 8/12 db patch = good signal and when you choose to not use the internet cafe connection you got something that is very versatile.

Have to bare in mind that if their signal is not good, it will help to increase signal your side but might not be the silver bullet

The senao card is always a good card to get as you can use it when traveling, if you travel.