Wireless network need slightly more range on laptop

[GiZzO]

I have a linksys S4 router/switch/AP version 2. My laptop is a Dell Inspiron with an installed 1150 mini-pci card, supposedly this laptop has a built in antenna throught the casing of the laptop i guess. Would a linksys wireless laptop pc card give me more range or the USB adapter then what i have. Or should i upgrade to the 5 Ghz AP along with a 5 Ghz laptop PC card. Or how about going either way with a better AP antenna? Cost isn't really a big problem but it must be through dell.com since i have a large sum of credit with them.

 

[sohcrates]

Well, a good wireless USB nic is probably gonna be your best bet, because you can position it so much better than any integrated NIC

When i rotate my usb nic, i go from about 60% signal to almost 90% signal, depending on which way it's facing

Also, you can disable any WEP (encryption) you might have on, that could give you some more range

 

[GiZzO]

I just tried my linksys usb nic 2.5, and it did offer alot better range and didn't drop off at all when the mini PCI card did. I would need a USB NIC for this laptop, what do you recommended?

 

[sohcrates]

i have a d-link lw-120 (or something like that) which works pretty well.

but i have heard some people say it doesn't have the greatest range


if you really want the best consumer level stuff, i'd probably say you should go with an orinoco gold usb adapter link

 

[ktwebb]

Disabling WEP, while generally increasing throughput, will not increase your cell coverage (range)

 

[GiZzO]

Is this this one Orinoco gold usb adapter or the silver? Whats the difference between the two, just better WEP encryption? If so i guess it doesn't matter.

I think id need a PC card cause i move the laptop arpund the house alot, would be kinda in the way too carry the external USB nic along with a USB mouse. I'll use the USB NIC when i need a bit more range.
For a PC Card what would you choose from here, hows the Intel PC card 2011?

Small Office Wireless Nics

Enterprise Wireless Nics

 

[GiZzO]

This antenna wouldn't happen too fit my AP or PC card? Antenna

 

[sohcrates]

yeah, that's the usb one i was talking about. i do believe only difference between silver and gold is WEP level

i'd say any orinoco pc card is your best bet, but not sure if dell carries them

not sure if that antenna will fit or not...doesn't give a very good description

 

[Buddha Bart]

put a larger antena on your AP. Try one of them "Yagi" things.

bart

 

[GiZzO]

Yagi?

 

[ktwebb]

Yagis are directional antennas. You would only want to use a Yagi if you wanted a directed radiation pattern towards a specific area or location. Adding an antenna to your AP is a good idea but you would want an Omni-directional. More of a 360 degree pattern for total area coverage.

 

[GiZzO]

My 1150 mini-pci card that came with this dell laptop i found out is a lucent card. Yet this card performs so poorly, and lucent is supposedly one of the best in wireless. Any ideas why imma open her up and see if the antenna is connected.

Are there any make-shift antenna that actully works really well, my AP is under my bed probably isn't the best place.

 

[JackMDS]

my AP is under my bed probably isn't the best place.

You made my day, first time I smiled today.

External Antenna is possible only if there is a connector for it on the Card (or somewhere on the Lappy).

We Connect The Wireless World.

 

[erikistired]

your access point is under your bed?!?

and to think i took an hour of moving mine around on the walls to get the best reception all thru the house.

~erik

 

[rw120555]

You might try moving your AP before you spend a small fortune trying to improve its range. If your Linksys supports roaming and you've got a place you could plug it in at, you might consider buying another WAP, e.g. you could have your AP upstairs and a 2nd WAP down in the basement (but that'll only work if you have an ethernet connection in the basement.)

 

[JackMDS]

It will be a good idea to put a metal screen around the bed, so nothing can harm the AP. (j/k).

 

[spidey07]

It will be a good idea to put a metal screen around the bed, so nothing can harm the AP. (j/k).

Now that's just mean Jack.

Move your AP around and try for better reception.

 

[JackMDS]

Well I finally figured out what WEP means.

metal Wire Enhanced Protection.

You use it, and you have no security problems what so ever.

 

[GiZzO]

I would move the AP/Switch/Router if i could. But all my wired network connections in my house meet under my bed, it was wired that way years ago when i had switch keeps the wires hidden. So my only choice is too extend the antennas, wire them from under the bed and wire the antennas up high, or go with a new antenna system alltogether.

 

[JackMDS]

On a serious note.

Antenna extension is not cheap.

You should consider getting a Switch, stick all the wires in the switch, and then connect the switch with one CAT5 to the Wireless Router. This way you play around with the WAP with only one CAT5, and the power cord.

 

[rw120555]

I don't quite understand your setup, but I assume all the wired computers aren't under the bed too So, let's say there is a wired computer 30 feet from you in a nice location. Get a switch, and plug the computer and the WAP into it. If that location isn't good, try another location where you have a wired computer. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see why the WAP has to stay under the bed; with a switch, you ought to be able to place it anywhere you have a wired connection.

EDIT: Whoops, I forgot, the router is the WAP. But then you can do as JackMDS says -- put a switch where the router is, and put the router by one of your wired machines (so long as you can get the dsl to the router I guess). Or, if your router supports roaming, buy a WAP and a switch and place them near one of the currently wired machines.