Those with wireless networks

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
well this was pretty retarded. Picked up an airlink booster from Fry's, but the antenna on my netgear isn't removeable, so I couldn't do anything with it

That blows.
How does it look? Crappy quality?

 

[0roo0roo]

they are real unlike cellphone boosters. they take the signal and focus is in a direction basically. there are a buncha designs, each with different properties. they won't send stuff through metal walls or water barriers though..heh.. heck, people send wifi over 11miles with very directional antenna.....

 

[PoPPeR]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
well this was pretty retarded. Picked up an airlink booster from Fry's, but the antenna on my netgear isn't removeable, so I couldn't do anything with it

That blows.
How does it look? Crappy quality?

actually it looks pretty nice, especially for $5, or the $8 that was advertised in yesterdays B&M ad. My netgear antenna might be removeable, but there's no screws and it doesn't twist, so I didn't feel like breaking it.

For $5, if it works, its a steal. Made in Taiwan, quality isn't too shabby.

 

[ski2slow]

It's not a direction antenna, but I got in on this deal with Range-Extender Antenna for my D-Link router and cards. I believe that the higher gain of these antenna booster allows for better reception increasing the effective range of your wireless network. My signal strength went from about 65% to over 90%. In fact, I'm now picking up my neighbors signal that I didn't use to.

 

[quakefiend420]

Originally posted by: spanky
jeebuzz.... still no one posted...

pics of ur sister?

lol

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: RayH
I built a reflector out of foil and was able to double my signal strength in one direction:

http://www.freeantennas.com/pr...ts/template/index.html

The connectors will cost you more than the Outpost antenna though.


The antenna shown at Outpost should give you some decent gain. If you want a LOT more range though, look at antenna from somewhere like Hyperlink Technologies or Fab-Corp.

I needed a good 1500 FT of range, but didn't want my signal spreading all over the place, so I went with a parabolic antenna with a 17 degree signal arc as shown here: My neighbors think I have radar

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
I see thet the Linksys has 18dBm output power versus the Dlink with only 15dBm, that's twice the power.

Acutally, though my previous response may have been a bit unclear. was implying that you could replace the client side PCI/PCMCIA card with the WRT54G/GS in client or WDS mode.

But yes, certainly the WRT54G/GS is capable of higher transmission power than most consumer-level wireless devices of similar function.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'm a good 30' and two walls and a sliding closet door away from my router and I'm getting 100% signal strength on my laptop right now. PCMCIA D-Link wireless card and a Linksys wireless router.

Edit-I'm upstairs in the bedroom now and the link quality drops to 90-100%. Signal strength is still 100%. Bedroom is about the same distance away but has to travel through the floor as well as 2 walls.

 

[PoPPeR]

FYI - these antennas are on sale at Fry's B&M (Bay area at least) for $10

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: ActuaryTm

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
I see thet the Linksys has 18dBm output power versus the Dlink with only 15dBm, that's twice the power.

Acutally, though my previous response may have been a bit unclear. was implying that you could replace the client side PCI/PCMCIA card with the WRT54G/GS in client or WDS mode.

But yes, certainly the WRT54G/GS is capable of higher transmission power than most consumer-level wireless devices of similar function.

Yup, more power = better range.
Higher gain antenna = better range.

I didn't research enough before I bought the D-Link. Should have gone with the Linksys instead.

 

[FrustratedUser]

So I got my antennas today. They looked OK and I got them connected. One on teh receiving end and one on the router. Signal went from -60 to -20 at best (Indication was between 'Good' and 'Best')

Tried to transfer a ~9MB MP3 between 2 computers. The best speed I got was ~700kbit/s. Slightly more than before but WTH!?

Anyone know what is the limiting factor for a wireless setup. I am a bit disappointed. I was expecting to see at least 5-8Mbit for a 54Mbit network with good signal.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Weirness maximum!

Another computer which is physically closer but has 1/2 the signal gets 5.5MBit/s :Q

 

[MidasKnight]

I ordered two. Thanks for the link.