Will USB WiFi be better?

[kaspaas]

Hi,

I regularly go to construction sites in the sticks (new mines not buildings) dragging my Fujitsu Siemens Amilo Pro V2030 along - I'm not taking a super machine to those terrible dusty conditions.

The problem is that many of these sites provide WiFi connectivity (open security), but the signal is usually not that great. The reason for this is usually that one is more than 200m from the access point antenna, or one is inside a converted container which only allows signals to enter via the windows and doors.

My laptop does not have a connector for an external antenna.

I'm now considering an USB WiFi unit like http://www.miro.co.za/detail.php?cat=13&sub=54&id=5189

but need some expert advice as this is a topic I know very little about.

Will such a unit improve things, or is the laptop's internal WiFi radio/antenna setup already better than the external units?

Any other advice on improving WiFi connectivity under these conditions? It is not very practical to turn one's computer until the bit of signal that is available is optimal.

Thanks

 

[The_Unbeliever]

kaspaas

they should be able to use an external antenna to improve reception on their side, and this will be of benefit to your usb wifi adapter, and your laptop's wifi adapter as well.

 

[kaspaas]

kaspaas

they should be able to use an external antenna to improve reception on their side, and this will be of benefit to your usb wifi adapter, and your laptop's wifi adapter as well.

Usually they have an external antenna sharing the radio mast with a bunch of other antennas.

But telecoms is not a key function of a construction project, and the big boys have wire LAN connections and don't care about the Wifi functionality.

A typical construction site is everyone for himself and his bonus targets - don't care about the rest. It is not a place for kind people.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Usually they have an external antenna sharing the radio mast with a bunch of other antennas.

But telecoms is not a key function of a construction project, and the big boys have wire LAN connections and don't care about the Wifi functionality.

A typical construction site is everyone for himself and his bonus targets - don't care about the rest. It is not a place for kind people.

That's true... what do you need wifi access for? Internet to access email?

 

[chiskop]

kaspaas, I have limited experience with this, but I've found that the onboard wifi is usually superior to a USB adapter.

 

[kaspaas]

That's true... what do you need wifi access for? Internet to access email?

General internet access.

Web
Email
VPN

When the signal is not that great, the connection broken regularly.

We work on site often with substantial data transfers eg drawings.

 

[kaspaas]

kaspaas, I have limited experience with this, but I've found that the onboard wifi is usually superior to a USB adapter.

That is why I'm looking at a specialised product.

Unfortunatly I can't find the specs for the onboard Wifi radio and antenna.

 

[skydog]

http://www.miro.co.za/detail.php?cat=13&sub=54&id=4735 - is a great card to get an external antenna but it is only 11bits.
otherwise http://www.miro.co.za/detail.php?cat=13&sub=54&id=5215 looks very good and you get 802.11a which can be useful

you will need an external antenna to get a better signal. if the AP has an external antenna you will be able to pick it up with your laptop but not connect back to the AP and have a reliable connection.

 

[Yotch]

Take a look at these links to get an idea about the range of the Senao SUB 362/862/EXT etc. The Senao has one of the best ranges available. The SUB862 is a bit cheaper than the 862EXT model but you can't attach an external aerial.

http://www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz
http://www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz/alfasenao.jpg

 

[kaspaas]

Thanks for the advice.

Did quite a bit a of reading following your inputs.

Is there somewhere a DIY template for http://www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz/alfawind.jpg ?

It would suit my needs for an airtravel proof lightweigth directional selection improvement well.

Edit: I just opened my eyes and read a wee bit beter - the template is at http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template2/

 

[Yotch]

There is also a bigger template over here.
http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template/

I did see an article several months ago about an experiment in Europe which used a cheap USB adapter and a parabolic reflector which was made using the above design from polystyrene and kitchen foil. They managed to link to an AP 40+kms away across the sea if I remember correctly. Really nice photographs but unfortunately I can't find the link anymore on Google. They built the reflector in a few minutes. Maybe you could try to make your reflector from a 1.5L Liquifruit tetrapak etc. which is already coated internally with foil. There are also other tetrapak type designs as well as some tupperware and foil contraptions - just look around on Google. If you find anything interesting just post the links in this thread.