802.11b signal boosting questions

[kenwen]

Hi all,

I've recently purchased the Netgear DG824M and it works perfectly. However, the signal is very weak at the furthest points of my house and that is where I leave my desktop. A few brick walls in the way too.

Can I use Wireless Access Points to boost the signal? Do they need to be plugged into a PC or can I leave one in the kitchen to boost the signal.

Thanks,
Ken (Just getting addicted to Wi-Fi and loving it)

[Enverex]

Err..... what are you connecting from and too?

An access point is basically a switch without wires. You could place another one somewhere else in the house, but it would need to be set to a different channel than the first one, though repositioning the first one would be a better idea.

If you are using a PCMCIA card then you shouldn't have any trouble reaching anywhere in the house. The only time I ever get low signal strength is when I am quite a distance from the AP using my PDA.

Unless the Access Point supports bridging then you will need to connect the kitchen AP to the network somehow (i.e. CAT5 cables) as APs cannot talk to each other unless one supports bridging (and thus acting as a bridge between the other AP and the wired network itself).

NS

[kenwen]

I'm connecting a laptop and desktop to the router at present, PDA on the way when my next pay cheque clears

Thanks for the info. Will play around with the placement but there is limited scope for moving it about. Dragging extension cords around somewhat defeats the point of going wireless!

I'll look into bridges and stuff too, thanks

[5lab]

you can get boosters, just plug em in set em up and away you go - no need for network cables..

[kenwen]

Thanks for the info.

One final question: Can you recommend any good boosters? Currently using Netgear kit and am happy with it so if they do boosters I'l stick with them.

Cheers,
Ken

[Space Cowboy]

Could you replace the aerial on the router?

[kenwen]

thanks for all the advice.

Re: replacing the aerial. I've looked into it but the only good aerial replacements I've found cost £100...

Not really in my budget as access points can be got for about £50.

I think I will go for the cheapest option - drag the router into the middle of the house and ignore aesthetics

[wasabi]

It might be worth trying sticking the AP high up in your loft - its then only got thin celing and/or floorboards to go through rather than thick walls..

[Twigman]

Height for aerials is defo good.
I have never used wireless computer stuff, but is there an option to increase the power output on the aerial? That might help a bit as well.

[5lab]

some access points can be used as simple boosters but i wouldnt know which ones. email netgear and ask them

[enderox]

a booster is prolly pricing.

an AP is one option, and useful if presumably placed midway between the far reaches of the two distant "clients".

If the Netgear has detachable antenna then look into replacing one of them (with a small directional antenna) instead of a standard omni (dipole). Having said that, its no use if the router can transmit a strong enough signal across to the client if the weak reply signal from the client cannot be heard by the router.

I also suggest doing a google search for makeshift antennas. I can't remember the name of the site, but someone improve the signal strength (and security) with the use of a few small curved sheets of galv strategically placed to in effect turn the standard omnis into semi-directional antennas. No mods required.

Tin cans, pringle can, etc are invaluable tools. Do some research online - there are so many tips and mods out there.

[Steve]

Pringles cans are the best aerials!

BBCi News did an article on this guy who got a WLAN from work to his house 3(ish) miles away by using Pedigree Chum cans or something daft like that.

[Enverex]

Or you could use a standard low(ish) power Yagi antenna and get 13 miles or more....

NS

[enderox]

any joy kenwen ??