Boosting wireless signal, best solution?

retribution

retribution

retribution

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Joined
23 May 2004
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715
Location
Southampton/Beverley
Hi all,

A neighbour has a Belkin F5D7632-4 wireless modem/router on the top floor of their 3 storey, victorian house. They want to be able to connect a pc in the kitchen to it, but the wireless signal *just* doesn't reach (I've done a site survey using Net Stumbler and it literally dies 1m away from where the pc is - unfortunately moving the pc isn't an option).

I looked at getting another access point, but the Belkin doesn't support WDS. They've no phone line in between the two pc's, so I can't set the router up anywhere else. I did try installing the router downstairs, and wireless connecting the upstairs pc, but all I got on the downstairs pc was "limited or no connectivity", and couldn't access the router. But presumably the wireless signal would be just as weak anyway going down > up as it is going up > down?

So, what is the best solution to the problem? Buy a better, stronger wireless modem and router? Any recommendations? Or are there any other workarounds? Currently wifi card is a d-link dwl-g520.

Many thanks,

Rob.
 
Dont know if this will help but I have just bought a Netgear DG834G which is plugged in in my room (my pc has a wired connection) but I have my downloading rig in the garage and it gets a 80% strength signal from my room to the garage.
 
I've had nothing but trouble with Belkin equipment to be honest and a lot of others on here will say the same. That's not saying it is the Belkin causing the problems, but a Netgear router is more reliable in my opinion and the signal might well be stronger. I probably wouldn't buy a new router 'just to find out' but if you can lay your hands on one from the purple-shirted highstreet shop you can take it straight back using their foolish 14-day money back guarantee customer service policy if it makes no difference.

Second option is to put in a repeater which is just a wireless access point set to repater mode which bumps the signal up at the edge of the range. You set it up with SSID, WEP etc and it daisy chains the wireless link as far as you want to take it.
 
Thanks for the replies. Doesn't the Belkin need to support WDS though to allow another Access Point to be introduced? Good idea about the money back guarantee thing, might have to give it a go. Are there any routers which are renouned for having better signal strength than others? It's a standard broadband connection, so no need to worry about ADSL 2 or anything.

Thanks again,

Rob.
 
I don't think so, I think access points as repeaters just pick up an IP address like the computers but daisy chain the signal along.

You've got me thinking - I'm going in to check my wireless router, but I didn't have to change any settings to get the access point to connect to it.

Edit: doesn't look like it as WDS is disabled on mine but I managed to bump the signal along a few months back in a test.
 
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Good idea, but quite expensive, it would probably be cheaper to buy a new router/modem.

I'm basically torn between getting another access point (do both need WDS?), or a better router/modem. Any recommendations would be much appeciated.

Thanks,

Rob.
 
WRT54GL (make sure it's the L) with a 3rd part firmware has the ability to increase wifi signal power considerably over the power levels seen in everyday wifi kit but again it's spending more money.

What are the chances you may be able to put a longer lead to the router and move it to a location where it is likley to be able to get a better signal ?
 
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