How to improve signal strength with a WiFi setup?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 4:08 am

I got a D-Link router and usb antenna. My main comp is hard wired to the router in the basement, thats where my cable runs so I can't move it from here. My mom's computer is on the floor above me, and hte signal strength I got there is Low. Any ideas how to improve this?

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 7:17 am

try one of their hi-gain antennas at the bottom of the page

http://www.dlink.com/products/category.asp?cid=1&sec=0

try here also for diy

http://www.binarywolf.com/249/modify-router-antenna.htm

Post by **obsidian** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 8:27 pm

Antenna's may be the way to go. I think the directional antenna should work better than the omnidirectional, since you essentially want to send the signal in 1 direction - up.

Linksys makes wireless repeaters so you may want to see if D-Link has a similar product (the Linksys one only works with specific models of Linksys wireless routers).

The way a repeater works is you plug it into an electrical outlet, say on your main floor and it grabs the signal from the router in the basement and repeats it. Downside is, IIRC, a repeater will cut your bandwidth in half.

Other than that, you may want to try some of the various MIMO or Pre-N setups out there. This means replacing your router and wireless cards, BTW. Advantage is much faster speed and greater distance, though they are expensive and you will be replacing your existing setup.

Post by **Underpants?** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 6:48 pm

ToxicBug wrote:I got a D-Link router and usb antenna. My main comp is hard wired to the router in the basement, thats where my cable runs so I can't move it from here. My mom's computer is on the floor above me, and hte signal strength I got there is Low. Any ideas how to improve this?

you sure it's a D-Link wireless router?

Post by **FragaGeddon** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 6:40 am

Cut a hole in the floor directly above the antenna.

Post by **mik0rs** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 12:59 pm

Try dropping the bandwidth the router transmits at, for example (but your line's probably 100 times faster) with the 512kb/s line that I was sharing I dropped the transmission rate from 10mb/s to 2mb/s and the signal was perfect from doing that, if your're running a 802.11g wireless setup obviously you'll have a much higher rate and you should be able to drop it to a rate that's still higher than your broadband connection speed.

Sorry if that's clear as mud.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 5:20 pm

Underpants? wrote:
ToxicBug wrote:I got a D-Link router and usb antenna. My main comp is hard wired to the router in the basement, thats where my cable runs so I can't move it from here. My mom's computer is on the floor above me, and hte signal strength I got there is Low. Any ideas how to improve this?
you sure it's a D-Link wireless router?

:icon27:

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 5:20 pm

mik0rs wrote:Try dropping the bandwidth the router transmits at, for example (but your line's probably 100 times faster) with the 512kb/s line that I was sharing I dropped the transmission rate from 10mb/s to 2mb/s and the signal was perfect from doing that, if your're running a 802.11g wireless setup obviously you'll have a much higher rate and you should be able to drop it to a rate that's still higher than your broadband connection speed.

Sorry if that's clear as mud.

It seems to automatically drop the bandwidth. When the signal strength is "Low" windows lowers the bandwidth to 18-24mbps.

Post by **AmIdYfReAk** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 6:41 pm

i wonder why,

anyway, Go out... get your self a tin of pringles. and eat the chips..

ya think i am goign someware that wont help you dont you? Noob..

anyway, when you are done mowing on the chips, clean the Container as best as you can ( withouth breaking it, So get a Decent tin of it from the get go )

cut a hole in the bottom of it, put the USB wire though it, then connect it to the USB adapter, pull the USB adapter to the bottom, plug it into the computer. .

Now aim the pringles can to where the router is sitting..

eayest, Cheapest way..

and its allways a hoot.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 7:04 pm

If the can is standing upright, should I put the USB antenna vertically or horizontally in the can?

Post by **AmIdYfReAk** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 7:08 pm

put it going up, Exented.. so the top of it is facing the top of the tin, you should atleast pick up 10DB's worth with it

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 7:11 pm

Sick, I'll try that.

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 2:00 am

ToxicBug wrote:Sick, I'll try that.

you flippin' idiot, i already linked you to the cantenna.

Post by **AmIdYfReAk** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 2:03 am

LEts compare cost,

but yours look a *little* beter

Post by **shadd_** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 2:22 am

tinfoil hats work great. just put it on whenever using the wireless.

Post by **Tormentius** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 2:24 am

shadd_ wrote:tinfoil hats work great. just put it on whenever using the wireless.

Post by **shadd_** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 2:27 am

hey it would look good on him.

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 2:51 am

AmIdYfReAk wrote:LEts compare cost,

but yours look a *little* beter

tell peeps what i explained to you on mssgr before i break your nose.

Post by **mik0rs** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 11:48 pm

ToxicBug wrote:It seems to automatically drop the bandwidth. When the signal strength is "Low" windows lowers the bandwidth to 18-24mbps.

Find out if you can set it manually lower and if you can then try it, you won't lose connection because of it trying to connect at a higher rate even if it doesn't fix it completely.

How to improve signal strength with a WiFi setup?

How to improve signal strength with a WiFi setup?

Re: How to improve signal strength with a WiFi setup?

Re: How to improve signal strength with a WiFi setup?