My neighbor has allowed me to use his wifi to a limit to not stream videos or download anything. I have bought a belkin 54g wifi usb but its not strong enough to find my neighbors access point. What can i do to to boost my signal of finding his access point?
2007-07-22 05:59:12 · 7 answers · asked by alpacino456 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
Well I usually get adapters with external antennas just to avoid this type problem.. if you need better signal you can just add a better antenna.
Since you already have a "USB Stick" type receiver... you can use a "Cantenna" to improve its coverage area.
http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html
shows how to do this.. just sub your USB dongle for the little stub antenna they show in the drawings. You can do it, it does work can gives you better signal.. Looks ugly but who cares.
You can just do a Google or Yahoo search for "USB Cantenna" for more informaiton.
Or get a wireless bridge with an external antenna.
2007-07-22 06:13:23 · answer #1 · answered by Tracy L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have a laptop, try moving around because wireless is not like wired. The signal strength is affected by the distance, dimensions and every single object around you. Wireless access points should be able to transmit to a relatively good distance. However, a few things:
1. Make sure your card is compatible. You mentioned belkin 54g. Is g the only available 802.11 technologies on it?
2. make sure your neighbor's wireless router is not limited to a certain technology a/b/g because if he is only "a" for example, and you are "g", then you can never detect it. They are two different protocols.
Can you detect other access points (not necessarily to connect to them) If not, then make sure your card is setup correctly. Nowadays, you should at least detect two or three access points (secured and unsecured)....
Add details if problem still exists.........
2007-07-22 06:14:26 · answer #2 · answered by v3ks 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's not much you can do if your neighbor is too far away. (You don't mention how far, and what type of wall construction you have.)
Since you're using a notebook, try standing near your neighbor's house (or in a car if that's too weird) and see if you pick up the signal. Then start moving away and see where you lose it.
Is it possible that your neighbor doesn't broadcast the ssid? If that's the case, you have to create a connection manually for that network using the belkin application.
2007-07-22 06:17:31 · answer #3 · answered by conehead 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't need to boost your signal -- you need to get your neighbor to boost their signal or move their WiFi device closer to you and higher off the group.
You may have to take that USB adapter back and buy a card that allows you to connect an external antenna to it and buy a directional antenna.
2007-07-22 07:56:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stealing? Hardly! Permission has been given. Mind you, such sharing might be forbidden by the Terms and Conditions of his neighbour's ISP.
Buying a WiFi signal booster for your neighbour's equipment is one way. Purchasing a more sensitive wireless adaptor for your machine is another route.
2007-07-22 06:07:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You may need to get another access point in your house closer to his, if this is not enough you may need multiple.
I heard it's also possible to make a wifi antennae using a pringles can.
2007-07-22 06:13:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're stealing his internet.... for shame.
2007-07-22 06:01:40 · answer #7 · answered by monmonth. 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋