Boosting BT wifi

andicole0 · 20 Dec 2013 at 21:10

We have a flat that is in a BT WiFi hotspot area but struggle to get a consistent connection. We're Only using a Netgear card in a desktop PC with twin aerials out the back, not near an outside wall.

Is there a way to use a high gain aerial placed at a window maybe on a longer lead. Or in fact is there a device that connects to a wifi signal and boosts it locally or sends the Internet out over an Ethernet cable to the desktop.

Andi.

Unicorn · 20 Dec 2013 at 21:21

Yes.. There is such a device.

Google for Wireless Range Extender.

Netgear make some very good ones! Unless u have access to the BT Router directly then you could use homeplugs and bridge it into another wireless router

andicole0 · 20 Dec 2013 at 22:24

Thanks I understand that will work with a home wifi signal but can I use the device to extend a wifi hotspot signal like BT Wifi to improve it's performance.

Andi.

Unicorn · 20 Dec 2013 at 22:41

I can't see why it wouldn't work as all it would really be doing is repeating the SSID and network address etc.

bremen1874 · 21 Dec 2013 at 00:18

An extender is intended to be installed in a intermediate area where there's still a workable signal. There's no point in using one next to to the PC that needs the boost.

Look into using something with bigger, or directional, antennas.

Unicorn · 21 Dec 2013 at 00:36

Would an extender not work with a hi-gain antenna or a directional antenna?

bremen1874 · 21 Dec 2013 at 00:44

Yes, but there still needs to be a workable signal to 'extend'.

andicole0 · 21 Dec 2013 at 09:14

There is a workable signal but the PC is positioned badly and doesn't 'want' to be moved (see SHMBO). Good idea to try bigger/better aerials I think. Does anyone have any thoughts on the merits of the different 'strengths' of aerial I've seen 2 through 9dBi, is there a benefit of keeping the boost as low as possible or just go for the highest?

Cheers.

Andi.

andicole0 · 21 Dec 2013 at 12:31

OK so would one of these http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-055-TP&groupid=46&catid=1837 pick up the BT Wifi Hotspot signal and boost it to a nearby PC?

Andi.

bremen1874 · 21 Dec 2013 at 14:09

I'd assume that as you have no access to the source of the wireless signal you're only going to be able to connect as a client. If there's any sort of user authentication required then I can't see how anything like the device linked could work.

Unicorn · 21 Dec 2013 at 14:11

It was something i overlooked that.. Apart from a WEP key/etc.. which you may have is there any sort of logins you have to do?

Hotwired · 21 Dec 2013 at 14:15

Hotspots are ghastly to rely on.

I ended up buying an alfa long range usb adapter which was hugely more reliable.

Particular model is awus036nhr

andicole0 · 21 Dec 2013 at 15:41

GrimsbyLAD said:
It was something i overlooked that.. Apart from a WEP key/etc.. which you may have is there any sort of logins you have to do?

There's a browser level login once connected.

Andi.

andicole0 · 1 Jan 2014 at 14:31

Well, twin 9Dbi aerials have fixed it, I think anyway. The aerials are 4 times as long as the ones on the original wireless card.

Still looking at a wireless extender.

Andi.