Jerome283
@cox.net
| G wlan with inadequate range
I am sure this is a common problem but I will give the details of my setup to see if I can get help with my specific problem.
I have a 3 PC home wlan, all PCs running on XP SP3, structured as follows:
1) a desktop PC that is connected by ethernet cable to the router (Trendnet 432BRP B1).
2) 2 laptops both connected to the wlan wirelessly using generic G adapters.
The wlan is WPA-PSK encrypted and only certain MACs are allowed access to it. Internet access is through Cox cable using their modem which then connects to the router.
My problem: The wlan works correctly except for the fact that, because of wiring, the router is located at one end of the house and I therefore have weak reception when I use a laptop at the other end of the house (standard colonial, not a mansion).
Strangely, 2 of my neighbors have unprotected wlan and for some reason I can sometimes accidentally access their networks when I cannot access my own! This is strange because we all have yards and one of them is across the street from my home and therefore passing through even more house walls than my own router signal. So this made me wonder if there is something particularly weaker in my router's signal than with other routers. I've added a Hawking omni... antenna which however made zero difference to the signal strength.
What are my options? This is a standard colonial with the walls made of plasterboard although there may be A/C ducts interfering inside them.
I tried a Linknet G "expander" and although it sort of worked, its signal constantly broke up (off and on) and, worse, switching between secured network and unsecured which I found alarming. I returned it.
Someone suggested adding a wired access point on the other side of the house - and though I an see that it might be a good solution - it would involve passing ethernet cables to the other side of the house which would be really difficult in my case.
So, here are my questions:
1. why can I receive signals from further away neighbor wlans when I cannot from my own? Does the fact that they are unsecured mean they have better range?
2 Or, does it mean they have better G routers than I do and that theirs somehow provide better ranges. If that is the case I am ready to switch routers. Other experts have told me that all G routers should have the same range unless using special adapters.
3. Buying a N router will apparently not improve my range because my laptop adapters are all G (and I do not relish going through the pain of getting a new wlan working !). Is that true? Also, someone suggested a Xyxel X-550 "extreme MIMO" router but I am not clear if it would have better range than mine unless I also bought their adapters.
What's my best option to improve range in my house. This is very annoying. If I could avoid passing ethernet cable around the house I would really prefer it.
Thanks. |
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stevech0
join:2006-09-17
San Diego, CA
edit:
July 25th, @04:04PM
| All of the mainstream 11G routers are about the same. 11n is a waste of money.
Best is to reposition the w-router optimally. Or equivalently, use an access point with the w-router.
Or buy online (not retail) a 12dBi patch antenna for your w-router and aim it at the dead spot. Super short coax.
can you get a cat5 cable from your w-router into the attic? If so, use that to run wire to put an access point closer to the weak-signal area. But beware excessive temperatures in attic vs. what the access point can stand.
If your PC is setup correctly, it will have your SSID as 1st priority/preferred, and if you delete all the other SSIDs from the discovered SSID list. Of course, your SSID is encrypted, right?
It won't hurt, but the access control by MAC address won't stop a hacker. Accidental access is stopped by encryption. |
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Jerome283
@cox.net
| reply to Jerome283
said by If your PC is setup correctly, it will have your SSID as 1st priority/preferred, and if you delete all the other SSIDs from the discovered SSID list. Of course, your SSID is encrypted, right?
[/BQUOTE :
My SSID is set as 1st priority.
I am not sure what you mean by "your SSID is encrypted". Do you mean that it is not broadcast? I set it to be broadcast because I was told that otherwise there can be connection problems. The network itself is WPA encrypted but not the SSID. I did change it from the "default" one.
Actually this is a home network and though I want it to be secure, I have no government secrets anyone would want.
I am slowly coming to the conclusion that I will have to reluctantly decide to pass a cable up through the attic and then down to a better more central location in the house from which I should get better coverage. Just hate to do that.
What would be a good wired access point to use? Does it matter which one I get? The retail choices in my area (Washington suburbs) are pretty narrow (1-2 brands only). How hard is it to setup a wired access point?
Thanks for helping. |
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stevech0
join:2006-09-17
San Diego, CA
| On the client desktop or laptop, try this:
Buy a low cost USB dongle or equiv. WiFi adapter. 11g.
Buy a USB extension cable or two.
Disable the current WiFi device being used there.
Install the USB dongle.
Using the extension cables, position the USB dongle (elevate, etc.) to get a stronger signal from, and thus a stronger signal to, the w-router - which is also placed as optimally as you can. Elevate. Avoid putting the w-router or client adjacent to a big file cabinet or other furniture right in the line of sight path.
Directional patch antennas on either or both ends will help a lot. |
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mudturtle74
join:2007-06-29
Killen, AL
| reply to Jerome283
Here's something you can try for free, first. Go to
»www.freeantennas.com/
and build one of these for your router. I made the corner reflector and it improved my signal a lot. I can now use my laptop in my shop at about 120' away from the house. I went from 2 bars to 4 bars on my signal strength (very good). Position the reflectors to the direction you are using your laptop. You might also consider the Wi-Fire adapter for your laptop. Just Google it to find one. |
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Jerome283
@cox.net | Fascinating. Got to try it.
Thanks. |
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