Broadband Tech > Wireless Networking > Boosting wifi signal on LAPTOP not router...cheap

Boosting wifi signal on LAPTOP not router...cheap

The wifi adapter on this laptop is built in somewhere.

reply to leer
Unless the drivers allow you to overclock the built in wireless card - not going to happen. It is boosted on the router side because it can be done there and is the more appropriate place to do it as well.

What do you think you will gain by trying to boost the wireles on the laptop?
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Brian

"It drops into your stomach like a Abrams's tank.... driven by Rosanne Barr..." A. Bourdain

reply to leer
»www.wlanantennas.com/product_inf···ts_id=30
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I tried to remain child-like, all I achieved was childish.

this is a make/buy decision.

If you want it to work and work well, buy a real pro product.

You are wise to see that a booming-powerful w-router/AP does no good if the client PC has a weak signal. But a gain antenna on the w-router or AP is easier, applies to all clients, and is bi-directional gain.

»www.l-com.com/category.aspx?id=2073

reply to leer
Another option and one that I have used out to 1000 feet or so.

»www.hfield.com/

reply to leer
Some of those are really expensive. I was looking at a used USB antenna wireless drives for $20, and some tinfoil.

Also tried wrapping my cellphone in rj-45 cable. Then I realized it's just going to say network not found since there's nothign to plug the other end into.

see video

that video was originally posted on April 1.

LOL...

reply to leer
wrap garden hose around beer bottle

get unlimited supply of beer

reply to leer
The solution is to increase effective transmitter power and receiver sensitivity. A bigger antenna is the way you do that. If you want a big antenna on your laptop, and if you can find a way to connect an antenna to it, then by all means... However, it is just as effective, and usually much more practical to put a better antenna on your router (assuming it has antenna jacks, and/or a removeable antenna).

Antennas increase effective power and sensitivity by concentrating the radiation pattern in the direction where you will most likely be using it. A short antenna will spew your signal in a nearly spherical pattern (which might be good if you want to cover a multi-story house with one access point). A taller whip antenna will concentrate the signal in more of a disk shape (which is better if you want to cover a single floor, and not the attic and crawlspace). A dish or yagi is better if you are trying to communicate between two specific points over long distances, like between two buildings).

reply to leer
The cellphone gag was pretty funny. Maybe if you plug the end of the ethernet cable into your body (use imagination!)
If you are serious; the easiest thing to do is get a usb adapter and connect it via a USB extension cable. Then getting the little adapter up in the air might improve your reception. If you know where the router is and can be "directional" with your antenna, you can get better performance using a reflector to make a type of satellite dish. The best reflector is a cooking wok or strainer. Tape the USB adapter about 2" in front of the bottom the bowl.
Point it at the router and you should get a better connection.
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I miss the campaign. So much drama. Best series to ever run on TV :-(

You'd get better results if you'd use a spectrum analyzer and stick a piece of wire in its input and tune it to 2.4 GHz at 50 MHz span. Pointing won't even be required, just place it inside the range of the router.

reply to marathonmike

reply to stevech0

said by stevech0:

said by Mdoc:

You'd get better results if you'd use a spectrum analyzer and stick a piece of wire in its input and tune it to 2.4 GHz at 50 MHz span. Pointing won't even be required, just place it inside the range of the router.

why would the user want to merely view signals with a spectrum analyzer?

reply to leer
IF your Laptop has an External Antenna connector (Check your Laptop's User Manual to see if it has one), then This should help to extend your Laptop's Wireless range: »www.radiolabs.com/products/anten···enna.php

-Tursiops_G.
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If You're Unsure, "RTFM"... If You're SURE, "RTFM" Anyway.