Stronger Wireless Antenna

[TheRyuu]

I recently got a WRT54G router (ver. 3) and then flashed it to dd-wrt. No I'm not sure if this is because of an antenna problem so if it may not, please suggest an alternative. Buying a stronger antenna is pretty much the last option I want to do. I want to try everything to get that signal stronger.

Right now, Windows says I have 2 bars and it's at 36MB. I want that a little higher. DD-WRT says that I'm only at 18%. And my speed is severely impaired because of this. I have DSL and the router is cause my download speed to be ~300kB/s. Now thats no were near my max of 3mb/s (yes the b's are correct, capital and lowercase). When the computer is plugged directly into the router, I get 600+kB/s download speed.

Also, if I recall right when I got the router that with the standard firmware the speed was faster, but this was when the router was at a different place and when I had cable internet.

Now my house has several computers but the problem is that most of them get a really low signal and the transfer rate isn't all that great because of this.

I'm wondering if I can get a stronger antenna to attatch to the router. The router isn't connected by a wire to any computer (the place were the dsl connection is is far away from any computer) so I just plugged it in, set it up, then plugged it in were the dsl connection is.

Problem with this is that both computers in the house are pretty far away (not that far but a lot of junk is inbetween) and the signal is almost always on low and also it says it's connected with 18 MB while it's a wireless-G connection so it should be 54MB (i think thats because of the bad connection).

I've already tried boosted the xmit power with dd-wrt to the recommended max of 70 but no luck. Signal is the same.

I have no idea about external antenna's, I know a lot about other parts in computers but networking is not my strong point. So maby a recommendation or a guide would also help a lot.

Thanks

 

[RyanM]

If you have a Microcenter nearby you, you can't go wrong picking up one of the Hawking 6 dBi antennas they have on sale right now.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=213239

It's $15 out the door, with $10 back by mail. Your router has 2 antennae, but I believe you can get away with just changing out one of them. If that doesn't do the trick, add the second one; you can only get one rebate, but even then, you're looking at $20 for two antennas after the one rebate.

I use this antenna on my home router and on my laptop when I'm trying to grab a Panera signal from across the freeway, and they do a great job.

They're slotted waveguide, IIRC, so the signal shape isn't as close to ideal as a typical colinear, but they do the trick well enough, especially considering how cheap they are. And they come with the TNC connector neccessary for your Linksys router, IIRC.

 

[TheRyuu]

Thanks I'll check it out.
Would I have to change anything in the router settings?

And the main problem isn't exactly distance, but getting through a lot of junk (like walls). Would this help that as well?

And there isn't a Microcenter near me. I live in NY (Long Island) and the nearest one is about an hour away in Westbury (meaning I'd rather buy it online). I don't mind paying for shipping

 

[JBT]

I've got a WRT54G v3. I made an antenna using this web site's template. Just need some thick stock paper and aluminum foil. It helps create a bit of a directional signal Just aim it in your general direction and I bet you'll gain a bar or two.

 

[RyanM]

Originally posted by: JBT
I've got a WRT54G v3. I made an antenna using this web site's template. Just need some thick stock paper and aluminum foil. It helps create a bit of a directional signal Just aim it in your general direction and I bet you'll gain a bar or two.

I use those to help cordon off my network's signal so it doesn't bleed into surrounding areas. I've actually taken to using aluminum flashing from the hardware store and using tinsnips or my paper cutter to shape it. It works a lot better than aluminum foil, and looks less chintzy.

Even the tinfoil one might help the op fix his signal issues though. Good call.

 

[TheRyuu]

Bump for another question.

I can't use the custom antenna because the main computer that uses the network is a laptop and this goes all around the house.
So a direction signal is out.

I'm just looking for a strong, omni directional antenna.
So this is my best bet?
Just making sure.

Would I have to change anything in the router settings?

And the main problem isn't exactly distance, but getting through a lot of junk (like walls).

Thanks so much
Networking isn't my strong point. I basically only know stuff I've learned doing it so much over the years.
I basically know enough to get myself dd-wrt, set it up, and thats about it.

 

[wanderer27]

That's a 6DB gain Antenna, it should a difference.

You won't need to make any changes in your Wireless AP, just replace the current Antenna.

The extended cable may also help you in positioning for a better signal.