How can I increase my signal on my wireless internet router & wireless card?

Question

I've just moved out of my mums house, however while I was there I bought a D-Link Wireless router & hub for our broadband.
The house ive bought is actually around the corner from my mums, weve actually managed to get our BT cordless phones to work from my mums house to my new house and after discovering this I'm looking to get the internet work from my new house so I can have free internet. :-D I can just about pick up some wireless networks from my new house that I could pick up at my mums house but the signals weak.

Any ideas how to increase the signal or get this to connect would be very much appreciated.

Answer 1

The strength of the signal is limited by law, so it would probably be illegal to increase it much. I believe you can do so, however, by fitting a larger aerial. I don't know if these are available commercially but there are a number of websites which give instructions on building them. It depends how handy you are!

A directional antenna (dish type) might be the answer in your case.

Here is a list of projects. Some of the links may not work. http://www.wlan.org.uk/antenna-page.html

Answer 2

As other people have suggested, try a cantenna. It's basically a pringles can with a copper element inside which is connected to your network card via a special cable called a pigtail.

Beware though, they're not good for outdoor use unless you live in a dry/warm country - if your in a wet one the pringles can won't last long! One option could be to shrink wrap it in plastic sheeting. I don't know it this would provide decent weather protection or not.

They are normally very effective.

Have a look at cantenna.com

Answer 3

The strength of the transmissions is limited by law. In the USA you can get much bigger/better antenae than are legally permitted in the UK.

Shifting the location of your router can be a surprising difference - even just moving it a few inches.

For info, most broadband contracts forbid sharing of broadband connections with neighbours. Quite how and if they'll ever find out though is an entirely different matter!

Answer 4

there is no harm in increasing the wireless signal or sharing it with your neighbours.the others dont have a say in it as long as you dont charge your neighbours for sharing it with them.

now for increasing the range.. a normal wireless router has a range of 70 -100 feet considering interference and blocks for signal etc..
adding a cantenna will be big boost.Or try range expanders from YOUR router manufacturer (as other manufacturer's expander might not be compatable with your router)

;-)

Answer 5

A wireless signal booster somewhere in the middle or on your end by a window might do it. Make sure you use WEP or everyone will use it!

Answer 6

Basically radio waves, like sound waves can be louder or quiter. A "db" booster will boost your signal. You will want to boost both ends though. The other thing you can do is use a directional antenna. Look up CANTENNA.

Answer 7

There is signal boosters for the wireless devices. You can connect ot your D-Link and they make wirless cards that have better range also.

Answer 8

Have a look at the link below
I used the back of deskfan and a USB adapter. From my attic bedroom I got about a dozen open connections.

By the way, its completely illegal.

Answer 9

You can increase it bu putting an amplifier in place so that it amplifies the wireless signal

Answer 10

use a wireless booster