• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Q: Wireless Router, Long Distance

U

unhuman

Senior member
I am trying to be my next-door neighbors ISP. We live in older houses, which apparently have really thick walls or something. They're not far away - I'd suspect that they are 20-60 feet away (closest wall to furthest wall. I have a belkin 802.11b router that doesn't make it. I also have a secondary DLink access point - with an amplified, directional antenna on it - sitting in the window closest to and aimed directly at their house.

They can get access (2 bars) in the closest point in their house, but not much further than that. At the far point in their house, nothing. If I take my laptop and walk down the street, I can get access well past her house outside... Once I go in it really dies quick.

Any suggestions on how to get just a bit more power? Would going to a G router give me more distance? Etc...

-H
 
Originally posted by: unhuman
I am trying to be my next-door neighbors ISP. We live in older houses, which apparently have really thick walls or something. They're not far away - I'd suspect that they are 20-60 feet away (closest wall to furthest wall. I have a belkin 802.11b router that doesn't make it. I also have a secondary DLink access point - with an amplified, directional antenna on it - sitting in the window closest to and aimed directly at their house.

They can get access (2 bars) in the closest point in their house, but not much further than that. At the far point in their house, nothing. If I take my laptop and walk down the street, I can get access well past her house outside... Once I go in it really dies quick.

Any suggestions on how to get just a bit more power? Would going to a G router give me more distance? Etc...

-H
Click to expand...

Well you can try a linksys WRT54G, as with 3rd party firmware you can safely boost the normal 24mw output that routers send out to 3x as much, or 72w. It's possible to even raise the output higher, up to 200+ mw, but you introduce the possibility of prematurely burning out your router (though with AR prices of $39 or less, it's not that big of a deal anymore).

Just don't expect miracles. Remember that no matter how strong the output from the router, your laptop needs to put out a signal strong enough to reach the router. Most laptops wireless nics are quite weak with tiny antennas. If it's an option to get an external antenna for the laptops in question, I would try that, though I realize it's a PITA to use such a thing.

 
Thanks - I neglected to remember that the antenna on the laptop needs to be powerful as well.... Dagnabit.
 
anyway to run an actual cable from your house to their house? wireless routers can be had for cheap these days, so just turn off the dhcp and they should be good to go. would improve the signal for them alot too.
 
As you extend the wireless router's range - you increase your security exposure. Running a cat5 cable may be the best solution.

I just got a Netgear 8.11g router, and it works nicely. Shows my neighbors system as well. 🙂

So, I installed encryption subsystem, and he disappeared.
 
couldnt he just connect a wire from the card and run it to like 2 feet away from his neighbor's window? i might need to do the smae thign
 
Radio frequency waves travel in specified bandwidths - and that is what determines the length or height of an antenna. Why extend a long wire? That may donothing at all. If you can do that - use a CTA5 cable and connect.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top