Boosting Wireless Signal

GM2 · 29 Oct 2008 at 17:45

I have a Linksys WAG200G wireless ADSL modem/router at home.

I'd like to be able to access the internet from an 'office' in a separate building effectively down the garden. With my laptop, if I hold it right up against the window, it just about makes a connection - but a) this isn't really any good for working

and b) I really need the signal on the other side of the building.

So, is there any way to boost the signal or improve the reception?

Failing which - any ideas anyone??

Thanks

fobose · 29 Oct 2008 at 18:21

You could run a cat5 cable down to the other building, and use another wireless AP in the other building.

I think you can buy large antenna's which you can connect to your wireelss AP but cant recommend any/know anything about them.

GM2 · 29 Oct 2008 at 18:52

fobose said:
You could run a cat5 cable down to the other building, and use another wireless AP in the other building.

I have contemplated something like that, but it is the other side of a drive, so not easy to do. If there is no better solution, I'll have to look at it though.

jimmy29 · 29 Oct 2008 at 20:55

The simplest way is to get some tin foil and put it behind the AP so that emitted radiation reflects off towards your office.
Failing that, try buying/making a directional antenna. Google cantenna

Also worth a check - your AP may have a power setting in the advanced wireless settings, set it to maximum if it does.

NeoNemesis · 30 Oct 2008 at 09:35

Have you considered a Homeplug solution?

I am making the assumption that the 'office' and the home are on the same electrical circuits. If this is the case, you could use powerline networking between the two.

Google 'Homeplug'.

GM2 · 30 Oct 2008 at 09:39

@ Jimmy29: Many thanks for you suggestions... I'll look into them.

MooMoo444 · 30 Oct 2008 at 09:43

Wire is the best option to be honest.. just dig a little channel for the wire or something

GM2 · 30 Oct 2008 at 09:44

NeoNemesis said:
Have you considered a Homeplug solution

Thanks. I did wonder about this, but they're actually separately metered, so I suspect this wouldn't work.

I'm beginning to think working out a way to get a CAT5 cable there might be the best solution...

GM2 · 30 Oct 2008 at 09:45

MooMoo444 said:
Wire is the best option to be honest.. just dig a little channel for the wire or something

See my above post, which I was writing as you made your suggestion. Great minds...

Benimaru · 30 Oct 2008 at 13:40

Ok I did this at uni so I know it works, I had a usb wireless adapter and I got a very weak to no signal, so I a basicly did was looked around the house and found an old chinese wok, stuck the wireless adapter in the middle of the wok and faced it to where I could recieve the best signal, and believe it or not it worked

I got a 1-2 bar signal boost, basicly it kinda acted like a miniture satelite dish. Maybe worth a try

Amnesia · 30 Oct 2008 at 13:51

or connect it to a real satelite dish....hopefully the whole street will be thanking you

GM2 · 30 Oct 2008 at 19:27

Thanks for the suggestions...

iamTakeo · 30 Oct 2008 at 21:31

I've made a couple of tin foil reflectors, didnt notice any difference but I kept them on, they look cool. My mum owns 2 flats (same building) and only has 1 internet connection. I found the wall between the two to be the main problem, couldnt connect even although I was virtually meters from the router. Repositioned the router to a higher position and I can now access anywhere in both flats.

Although I'm still very interested in ways to amplify signal. I found some 1W signal amplifiers on the bay from HK, I very much doubt they work but it was a nice idea.