PCI network card - bigger aerial?

mo786

mo786

mo786

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Joined
12 Sep 2005
Posts
215
Hi

I have a Linksys WMP54G PCI Wireless card in my PC downstairs.

With my USB donble I managed to get a fairly decent connection - oddly with the PCI card and its big aerial I get a very poor reception. With the USB dongle its on a wire-extension so I can move it around about 70cm or so forward and it gets a better reception (altho its still far away from main router which is upstairs). but the PCI card aerial is obviously stuck in oen place.

Whatst he best way to test optimum aerial direction? or will ir pretty much be the same any direction?

and is it possible to buy a bigger aerial?

also my PC downstairs is a HTPC, next to the PCI cards aerial is astandard TV aerial - can this affect it?
 
In a nut shell you want to google two of the following and visit the other!

Netstumbler, Parabolics and a well known auction site.
 
Its worth experimenting with aerial oriantation (try router aerial horizontal and pci the same then try combination of horizontal and vertical), If the routers upstairss you want its signal radiating more downwards ie router aerials horizontal). Moving the PC forward may help if its stuck back under a desk. Metals the most effective screen hopefully your desk aint metal?

With that card you can substitute a better aerial on a longer lead (probably a reverse sma connector). The longer the lead the more signal is lost so dont get much more than you need. Desktop stick, panel and dish aerils all available. Or give up and get 2 Homeplug adapters (ethernet thourgh the mains wiring), signficantly more reliable & easier to use than wifi.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I just spent £10 on a new aerial for now - its like 3 times as big as the one I got with my PCI card!

Those parabolic thigns look a big cheap and homemade, they will be the next step, lol.

Sadly ethernet type ports will be massivley inconvenient to get around my house.

The main issue I have is TV interference.. up until a few days ago my TV card in my PC card was working fine and after I installed the PCI wifi card its not - thing is its happenign on and off..i.e I recorded Match Of The Day fine but it wouldnt record The X Factor (both on saturday and a few hours apart) so not sure whats going on and if indeed the aerial from the PCI card is interfereing - but when I take the WiFi antenna off the TV card still doesnt work properly now :confused: - might be a TV aerial problem but its a bit random!
 
I had similar issues using wireless to a media centre pc.

Now replaced with Netgear Powerline adaptors and no problems since.

Although they are fairly expensive, they're the next best thing to CAT5 wiring if you are unable to cable directly:)
 
NickR said:
I had similar issues using wireless to a media centre pc.

Now replaced with Netgear Powerline adaptors and no problems since.

Although they are fairly expensive, they're the next best thing to CAT5 wiring if you are unable to cable directly:)
Click to expand...

Do you mean the TV interference thing mate?

If so what happened to your TV signal exactly?

I spose I can take the TV card out and text it again - would it be interfering even if the aerial wasnt attached.
 
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