Does it depend on what direction I point my antennas on my wireless router?

Question

I have a Linksys WAP11 router with the stock antennas, no range boosting ones. I used to be able to go next door and have a signal. I go there now and I can't get a signal anymore. I remember pointing the antennas directly up because they looked weird being crooked. Does the range increase, even by a bit if I point the antenna to where I want to go?

Answer 1

Definitely! Even slight, slight changes can make a huge difference.

I used to get "poor" from my bedroom, and the router antenna was pointing dead at my room from the downstairs. I moved it five degrees up and away... "Excellent"!

"Huh???" was what I thought. But when I read up on it, I found out that wireless signal is more likely to bounce if it is pointing at an angle. Every house is different, as well as needs, so tweak until you find the best antenna placement! What this is may surprise you; the way that causes the least interference to wireless may not be directly pointing at your device...

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

You've gotta go outside tonight and look for two little lights up in the sky that keep crossing each other. Those are the DSL satellites. Now keep track of where they cross, it should be at one point usually to the South. Point your antenna's towards that direction. You should be outside no longer than half an hour so bring a jacket if it's cold. Good luck!!! Again it's the DSL satellites. Two of them. ;)

Answer 3

The angle should not make that much difference, if any. They are omni directional.

There might be more interference in the area now then before, thats why you cant see the signal at your neighbors now....

Answer 4

Man, i remember when we had to do that for best reception on black and white TVs!