Extending Wireless network Range

[Bry]

Hi, my friend wishes to extend his wireless range as the router his downstairs and he is 2 floors up and his connection is sporadic.


What I would like is a device that can sit half way between the router and his pc (with the wireless card) to boost the range and extend it so that he gets a good solid signal in his room.

What i thought he'd want is a wireless access point.
Something like
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-012-NG
or
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-085-NG

(he has a netgear router and wireless network card so wants to keep it to netgear to avoid problems.)

However, the first one you need two of them and doesnt seem to work as i'd want as you plug one into a router and the other into your pc (kinda defeating the point i think?)

Where as the second plugs into a non wireless router adding wireless functionality or extending poor wireless signals from built in router (not what is wanted.)


So does anyone have any suggestions on how I could go about this please? Basically all i want is a good device that will extend wireless network range so my friend can get a consistently good signal.

 

[Duke]

Before you look at those, have you tried changing the wireless channel? It can make quite a difference.

 

[Scythe]

Extending/buying new antenna for the router?

 

[Bry]

Yea tried changing the channels but it didnt make much difference.
I'd rather go with a device to extend the range ratehr than a new antenna as this is mroe complex to do. Plus the router is not in a great position (due to the location of the phone socket) and would much rather have something to extend the range

 

[fini]

IIRC you want a repeater rather than an access point.

 

[IAmATeaf]

How can changing the antenna be more more complex then installing a repeater?

I'm about to order a 7db antenna for my modem/router as the current only gives me 1 maybe 2 bars upstairs, will let you know if it makes a massive improvement.