Increasing Wireless Network Signal

[CedarTeeth135]

I got an older 900 mhz Linksys access point, and was wondering if there was anyway to increase the signal strength. I live in a two story house and my computer is on the opposite side of the access point. I don't want to spend that much as i will be saving up to pay off my debt on my newly built computer and the GeForce 4 Ti 4200 when it comes out. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Rallispec]

the best thing you can do is put the access pont in a good spot. In the middle of the house, somehwere where the signal is going have to go through a minimal amount of walls. As for strengthening the signal, i highly doubt it can be done.

 

[ktwebb]

<< As for strengthening the signal, i highly doubt it can be done >>



Sure there is. He could amp the signal, but if he's trying to go cheap, that's probably not an option. He could also increase the range by using after-market antennas. Plenty of options.

CedarTeeth: Amp and antenna links at this site.

http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/linksys_antkits.html

 

[JackMDS]

The only legal way to augment transmission is by the use of Hi gain Antenna.

Unlike most computer components, Wireless communication involves transmission. The FCC legally controls transmission output. Increasing transmission output is illegal.

As a result, most capable people shy away from playing around with transmission output.

 

[ktwebb]

<< Increasing transmission output is illegal. >>



Sorry Jack but that is incorrect. Power output for any FH or DS Spread spectrum device is limited to 1 Watt within GSM. SOHO AP's/Routers are less than 1/10 of that. I haven't amped LAN wireless devices, AP's, but do it just about every day over 802.11b and proprietary wirleless WAN connections. Perfectly legal. Now widening the carrier might be illegal. The Linksys power hack may broaden the carrier channel into licensed bands. Perhaps amping an AP would have a simlilar affect. When we amp, we do so to recover loss from transmission cable and distance runs, so you may be right, just in an indirect way. Amping an 802.11b device is not illegal in and of itself, but the end result may be.

Edit: As a sidenote, I wouldnt recommend amping a SOHO AP/Router combo beyond just the cost anyway. It's just not necessary. Higher gain aftermarket antennas will extend range significantly.



<< most capable people shy away from playing around with transmission output >>



Lol. Not at all. Beyond the Amtel Controller hack for home consumers, the opposite is true. It's the capable people, hopefully anyway, that are amping their RF hardware to reach longer runs to the clients or remote site, depending on the setup. Wireless ISP's are a good example.

 

[bhad]

good info ktwebb