Boosting Signal Strength On Wireless B Connection?

[_Switch_]

Hi

I was wondering if there was a way to boost the signal on my Dlink's DI-514 Wireless B Connection?

Becux the wireless router is in my basaement, and my computer is on the 2nd (or 3rd or Top) floor two floors above, and I get a signal strength that's Excellent at times and then crappy at other times (usually in between mostly)

So I was wondering if there was a somewhat cheap way to enhance the signal??

[John Prophet]

yep..you can simply buy a better antenna....

I saw some at walmart last night


of course that does make it a little less secure because it is easier for other people outside the house to pick up the signal etc

[Bones1]

You could try this http://www.dlink.ca/product.php?PID=143 only about $60.

Plus you could mount it in an open area.

If you want to go nuts you could use this http://www.dlink.ca/product.php?PID=195

[CataclysmCow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Prophet

yep..you can simply buy a better antenna....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bones1

You could try this http://www.dlink.ca/product.php?PID=143 only about $60.

[_Switch_]

kk.....well to give u more details my AP (Wireless Router) is in the basement on top of my parents computer with the antenna pointing vertically....and my computer is 2 floors up and a little in front.....and then my mom's laptop is going to be in the same room as the AP but on the other side....so we odnt want to use ethernet cable considering it's >25ft.

ill include a diagram to show wut i mean

[DanU]

Your antenna is oriented so it's radiating the MINIMUM amount of signal vertically!!! Reorient the antenna so it's lying down and see if the signal improves.

I would also try moving the router to the 1st or 2nd floor, so it doesn't have to penetrate as many floors.

[_Switch_]

the only problem is that it's connected to the modem in the basement...and my dad's dekstop is connected the router...so there's a n go iwth moveing it...i will try that horizontally appose trick though....or do u mean so that th antenna points at the ground?

[_Switch_]

bump???

[kwebb]

If you want vertical propogation then point the antenna parallel with the ground. Horizontal would be pointed straight up.

For the record the statement earlier about higher gain "will result in less signal strength not more" is completely bogus. Higher gain focuses the radiation pattern. It results in higher signal strength as it relates to the client if that client is within the pattern. It adds coverage on a one story house. It might however hurt you vertically. Just depends but it does not give you less signal strength.

[DanU]

Any improvement with the antenna oriented horizontally?

For maximum benefit you'll also want to reorient the clients' antenna in the same direction so they're on the same polarization. E.g. if the router/access point antenna is lying in a north-south direction then you'll want to do the same for the clients' antennas.