WIFI range extending - Any experience / feedback on these units

hsmnel

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Have anyone used ither of the following. I want to use it to extend my ADSL modem's Wireless range. I have a Billion 800GT or something(Telkom supplied) and the signal is not strong enough to reach all corners of the house

D-Link DAP-1360 Wireless N Range Extender - http://www.dlinkworks.com/DAP-1360.asp

or

ZyXEL WAP3205 - http://us.zyxel.com/Products/detail...yGroupNo=71AF687E-0C59-427F-A228-EFFE0DDA4DFC

I see there are some ASUS models at esquire.

I am more looking at stable extended range rather than speed. (My ADSL is 4 MB only) I see from reviews the DLINK is not so good after 10meters.

To be used mostly for enabling the phones to use WiFi

Thanks
 
Have anyone used ither of the following. I want to use it to extend my ADSL modem's Wireless range. I have a Billion 800GT or something(Telkom supplied) and the signal is not strong enough to reach all corners of the house

D-Link DAP-1360 Wireless N Range Extender - http://www.dlinkworks.com/DAP-1360.asp

or

ZyXEL WAP3205 - http://us.zyxel.com/Products/detail...yGroupNo=71AF687E-0C59-427F-A228-EFFE0DDA4DFC

I see there are some ASUS models at esquire.

I am more looking at stable extended range rather than speed. (My ADSL is 4 MB only) I see from reviews the DLINK is not so good after 10meters.

To be used mostly for enabling the phones to use WiFi

Thanks

Have had no problems with D-Link (DAP-1155 and similar). That said the aerials supplied on cheaper AP's/repeaters generally are pretty weak and not up to the task of going through several thick walls. So best you attach a higher DBI aerial if you need to get through a few thick walls. I do see the one you've quoted has 2 x aerials, so that may help.
 
@Leimie: Thanks for that link to the 9dBi antenna. I was looking for that one yesterday.

@hsmnel:
You may also consider one of these TP-Link range extenders:
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/51246855/TP_LINK_WA730RE_150M_Wireless_Range_Extender.html
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/62128010/TP_LINK_WA830RE_300Mbps_Wireless_Range_Extender.html

My dad is using the WA730RE at the neighbours' house on the opposite side of the street to extend his wireless range to their home, and it is working pretty well. Without that range extender, only other routers can pick up the WiFi signal.

If your Billion ADSL modem has detachable (Reverse Polarity SMA) antennas AND your house is just 1 story high / just horizontal, then replacing those 3dBi antennas with 9dBi antennas should make a BIG difference.

One of the best articles on optimizing WiFi range/throughput that I've came across recently is this one from Buffalo: http://www.lmi.net/wp-content/uploads/Optimizing_802.11n.pdf
It is aimed at 802.11n use, but it also applies to other WiFi technologies.
 
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Glad i found this thread :), will this work with a Netgear DGN2200 router ?

lastly how does one order from scoop because after registering they don't allow courier from their checkout page (have to arrange your own O_O), does dealer pricing apply just like Esquire?

/apologise for small hijack :D of thread.

I would try something like this first. If it doesn't work then its just R40 wasted.

http://www.scoopdistribution.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=99_38&products_id=1032
 
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I am also using one of the TP-Links extenders - it does the job and TP-Links are priced quite well, I tihnk there is even a discount for mybb members..
My router is in a study on one side of the house and without the extender the signal doesn't reach the bedrooms on the other side - with the extender the signal is just fine anywhere in the house, through walls etc.
 
I bought a tp link range extender but i cannot seem to connect to it from my android devices. Havent tried it on a pc as my only pc is connected directly to my router. My devices see the signal but wont connect. I checked the password thingy and it is correct. I have a sitecom router. Any suggestions? I'm considering pulling a cable through to run it as an access point. I proved that works by running a temporary cable along the floor.
 
Could be incompatible. Sitecom who? I take it you've made sure IPs, subnet, gateway, DHCP have been configured correctly?

You mention Fandroid devices. What about other wifi devices? :)
 
Usually the WiFi devices can't connect when you're using a different WiFi technology (eg. 802.11n when the device only supports 802.11g) or new encryption (eg. AES when the device only supports TKIP or not even WPA2 yet).
 
Im having trouble setting up new D-Link DAP-1155. Im trying to boost wifi signal from Router 3 stories up so i can get wifi on my phone.
So i set Dlink up halfway between and set it to Bridge mode?

Billion router third floor
D-Link DAP-1155 second floor
wifi smartphone first floor
 
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Im having trouble setting up new D-Link DAP-1155. Im trying to boost wifi signal from Router 3 stories up so i can get wifi on my phone.
So i set Dlink up halfway between and set it to Bridge mode?

Billion router third floor
D-Link DAP-1155 second floor
wifi smartphone first floor

Make sure the aerials are down i.e. parallel to the ground. If your Billion router uses DHCP then the D-Link must be set to use DHCP, same IP ranges, etc.

Just phone D-Link support, 08600DLINK IIRC.
 
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