ANYBODY KNOW OF ANY WIRELESS ROUTER SIGNAL BOOSTERS?

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Weve got a wireless internet system in the house so we usually use laptops. The problem is that several of the outer rooms of the house have critically weak signals from the router. This is especially a pain in the early morning on muggy days. The signal is just swallowed up and I get like one bar and it takes forever to connect.
Does anyone make a wireless signal booaster like an antenna booster that would allow me to pick up the router signal at greater distances from the central part of the attic? We have a really old stone house and the walls are very thick and are fieldstone with heavy chrome and iron content. I dont wanna go back to wireline where we can only use internet at a fixed station.

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Type: Question • Score: 11 • Views: 8,928 • Replies: 28

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View best answer, chosen by farmerman

@farmerman,

I am especially thrilled that this article exhorts the use of tinfoil:
http://www.wikihow.com/Boost-a-Router-Signal

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@farmerman,

Would a wireless bridge work?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_bridge

I bought one from Amazon for my blu ray player, but I don't see why it wouldn't work with a laptop.

1 Reply

@Irishk,

I have no idea what a wireless bridge does even AFTER I read the Wiki post.

I did get the tinfoil booster idea and Im gonna try that but I still am assuming that soemone makes something to boost the sensistivity of a recieving compuer in a wireless system.

I talked with some guy at "The SHak" and I was totallydisgusted at how they seem to get their help from the Mission kitchens . Where are the :Geeks"? Wy arent they working at Radio Shack?

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@farmerman,

last time I asked my guy about this, he said buy a better router....

0 Replies

You might find this article a bit helpful, especially item 5 regarding adding a wireless repeater:

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/setup/wirelesstips.aspx

Quote:

5. Add a wireless repeater

Wireless repeaters extend your wireless network range without requiring you to add any wiring. Just place the wireless repeater halfway between your wireless router, modem router, or access point and your computer, and you can get an instant boost to your wireless signal strength.

They suggest the following brands and their own Bing search:

Quote:

Check out the wireless-N repeaters from Linksys, Hawking Hi-Gain, ViewSonic, D-Link, and Buffalo Technology.

1 Reply

@farmerman,

and do you know anything about metal detectors...?

1 Reply

@Butrflynet,

Any idea who sells em? Ill start with Staples. I am ******* through with the Shack.

1 Reply

@Rockhead,

I do, but I shant reveal its secrets .

Quote:

last time I asked my guy about this, he said buy a better router....

Thats the kind of help I need. some geek squads smartass answer. This was the best router hardware the cable company offered. And while it reaches nicely into the "core" of the house, the periphery, like the porches or a sunroom or the studio.or outside only give me marginal (at best) reception, so the speed of hookups and downloads is really glacial. When its a shitty morning , foggy and humid, I notice that even Youtube gets "choppy reception" .

1 Reply

@farmerman,

they only offer so much.

I use my own equipment.

It is lots better than the freebie offered (for $50) by my provider.

(no cable on the prairie)

1 Reply

@Rockhead,

what kind of router do you use? Is there a big difference that youve noticed? Do you live in an iron surround like we do.?

1 Reply

@farmerman,

I was afraid you were gonna ask that.

it is in an unopenable closet.

I think its a linksys...

it's old, (over 2 years) and when I put the computer in the shop (after it doesn't flood anymore) I need to upgrade to a stronger signal. sheet metal buildings are my issue.

I can ask him next time I am downtown what the hot ticket currently is...

0 Replies

@farmerman,

What brand is your current router? For the highest compatibility, you'll want to get a repeater from the same brand or one that specifies compatibility with it.

Let me know and I can do some specific searches for brick and mortar stores that have it.

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Here's a geeky article on wireless signal repeaters that you'll probably like:

http://www.binarywolf.com/249/signal_strength.htm

It also goes into how to go about setting up the repeater for optimum performance where the signal is weakest.

0 Replies

@farmerman,

farmerman, I found this on the net. Give it a peek.

http://www.betterwifirange.com/?gclid=CPzn-57fiakCFacZQgodhXmJow

0 Replies

@farmerman,

You may not have Apple systems, but if it can be done with Apple it can be done with other routers as well. But basically the process is a form of daisy-chaining wireless routers together to feed various areas of the house. That's the most effective sure-fire way to accomplish what you want.

I like the Apple Airport Express daisy-chain type of solution because you can also use each Airport Express as a sound station (by adding speakers) and send music to anywhere in your house.

If you want to poke around at improving various other functionality, then check here:

http://www.labnol.org/internet/extend-wifi-wireless-network-range/13534

http://www.ezlan.net/Distance.html

http://www.wireless-thing.com/2006/02/25/8-ways-to-extend-wireless-network-range

http://www.focus.com/briefs/mobile-wireless/10-tips-increase-wireless-range

1 Reply

@rosborne979,

I fopund out that Staples DOES have just such an instrument ,ike what Ci was posting. it apparently fits on the laptop and scavenges the available signal (sorta just like an antenna booster). I also found out that thios BOOSTER will allow me to stream Netflixes without running wires from my computer.
Frabjus Day. Im hedin for Staqples this PM

Consequently CI gets the coveted Bubo of Happiness

3 Replies

@farmerman,

Bubo? Oh, noooooooooooo.

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@farmerman,

The BOOSTER can only work as fast as your wireless router and your wifi card on your computer do. Don't expect the miracle of streaming Netflix if your computer or your router are only 802.11b

Check out data rate streams in the chart here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11

0 Replies

@farmerman,

I stream NetFlix over 802.11n Apple Airport all the time. Let us know how the booster works out.

0 Replies

ANYBODY KNOW OF ANY WIRELESS ROUTER SIGNAL BOOSTERS?

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