How to improove wifi reception?

Question

Say there was a wireless network barely out of reception range from your house. Is there any type of homemade antenna that could be used to increase signal strength to that network?

Say there was a wireless network barely out of reception range from the wireless network card on the computer. Is there any type of homemade antenna that could be used to increase signal strength to that network? The network does not belong to me.

Answer 1

* reposition your router (or access point) to avoid obstructions and radio interference. Both reduce the range of WiFi network equipment. Common sources of interference in residences include brick or plaster walls, microwave ovens, and cordless phones. Additionally, consider changing the WiFi channel number on your equipment to avoid interference.

* upgrade the antenna on your router (or access point). WiFi antennas on most wireless base stations can be removed and replaced with more powerful ones.

* add another access point (or router). Large residences typically require no more than two APs, whereas businesses may employ dozens of APs. In a home, this option requires connecting your primary wireless router (access point) to the second one with Ethernet cable; home wireless routers and/or APs don't normally communicate with each other directly.

* add a bi-directional WiFi signal amplifier to wireless devices as needed. A WiFi signal amplifier (sometimes called "signal booster") attaches to a router, access point or Wi-Fi client at the place where the antenna connects. Bi-directional antennas amplify the wireless signal in both transmit and receive directions. These should be used as WiFi transmissions are two-way radio communications.

* add a WiFi repeater. A wireless repeater is a stand-alone unit positioned within range of a wireless router (access point). Repeaters (sometimes called "range expanders") serve as a two-way relay station for WiFi signals. Clients too far away from the original router / AP can instead associate with the WLAN through the repeater.

Answer 2

BountyJac has a lot of good information, but here is a couple more ideas: First make sure you do not have a cordless phone or other such device on the 2.4Ghtz range. This is the channel that Routers and Wireless Access Points use and it can cause a great deal of interferance if not outright put your connection down for the count. When I hooked up our Wireless Network, just having the batteries in the phone stopped our reception!! No kidding. Now, you can also check for a firmware upgrade for your Router, this can help with reception. Check your manufacturers website and then if there is one download and install it. Make sure your Router or Wireless Access Point is not on an outside wall, as this creates a shortage of signal due to loss to the outdoors. Placing it in the most central area is by far best. Then make sure your Adapter is pointed in the direction of the Router, sometimes even the smallest change in direction can create a better or worse signal.

With this and what BountyJac said you should be fine. Just keep making adjustments until you acheive the results you are seeking. Sometimes just moving things around can make a huge difference. Oh, keep stuff like microwaves, refrigeraters, and metal filing cabnets out of the line between adapters and router. These items can cause serious degradation of signal streangth.

Good luck and have a great day!

p.s. A great book called "Absolute Beginner's Guide to Home Networking" by Mark Edward Soper is just a must have for people like us just starting out with home networking. It is only about 350 pages, but is full of really good information on wired, wireless, mixed, homePNA, networks, and has step by step intructions on configurations, plus great tips and tricks for getting the most out of a network. It also has information and instructions on adding other things to a home network like game consoles, TiVo, entertainment devices, hooking up the computer to a media adaper so you can watch video or listen to streaming music, or put on photo slide shows with music right on your T.V. screen. Plus information on other issues such as security cameras, even hooking up a washing machine to the computer and having the computer turn it on during lower energy cost periods of the day, usually during work. I used this book to build both my office and home network nad refere to it often for troubleshooting or just to refresh my memory on different aspects of networking. It is really a great book and one I reccomend over any other.