Wireless Gurus: WRT54GL upgrades.

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In a shared flat, with a WRT54GL acting as main router for 20MB VM service.

I have a Airport Extreme set at 5GHz N for my MacBook Pro, but the 5GHZ penetration is worse than the 2.4Ghz.

Now the WRT54GL is under the TV next to the modem and IP-connected TV, but my mates are on the other side of the flat (so it's all on the same floor). Don't need 360 degrees coverage, and even 180 degrees would be too much really.

They barely get 30% strength and don't get the full 20MB.

Now, I've upped the wireless output power to 105mw and over clocked it to 216mhz (running cool, so that is fine.)

Currently channel 3, with a few week (<20%) AP dotted around channels 1, 6 and 11. Changing from channel 8 to channel 3 gained 5-6%.

But we need more, after a few hours googling I don't really have an answer to this:

What antenna setup would work the best?

Currently have the two of the original 2-3DBI antennas.

Would two 5/7/9/11/etc DBI antennas improve things? Would the reduction in vertical coverage matter on a single floor flat?

Do I need two antennas or would one be best?

So I suppose the general question is: What antenna setup should I have to increase the strength to my mates rooms?

Cheers!
 
having tried to sort out a lot of wireless problems recently, it just seems to me that some people will just have to bite the bullet and go wired, or put up with pants connections. far too much interference around these days. I'd personally move it away from the tv, should help a bit....better aerials, perhaps 10% tops? You've tried different channels so all you can do is move pc's and the router now....
 
I've thought about moving the router but there is absolutely no where in the middle of the house it can go (no power sockets, let alone the fact four wires would need to be running around the house).

Given new antennas are £4-5 each vs the hassle of running wires I might just give is a punt anyway.

It's rented accommodation too and we have a clause in our contract about not running wires around properly :/
 
by all means try antennas....just don't expect them to give a massive boost. extension lead will mean you can move away from the telly with no problems, and I believe that will make a bigger difference than antennas. So, basically, £5 for antennas and £5 for extension lead should help greatly
 
Moved it around the room today, and the signal basically stayed around 40%, it's the three walls that it has to pass through which is the issue, and I think it's already got upgraded antennas on it.

Oh well, they will have to live with it!
 
Don't forget it's not just the antenna in the router, it's the antennas in their laptops that can cause issues.
 
Take a look at this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOBfxbpxosA . I used to have a WRT54GL which didn't quite reach to all parts of the house. As a last resort I actually made a couple of these things and put them over the antennas - guess what they actually worked. It made a difference to my sons laptop connection which equated to one bar on the signal icon. They looked totally "heath robinson" but hey, what have you got to lose. Out with the scissors, glue and tin foil. Like Blue Peter all over again:)
 
moorlander said:
Take a look at this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOBfxbpxosA . I used to have a WRT54GL which didn't quite reach to all parts of the house. As a last resort I actually made a couple of these things and put them over the antennas - guess what they actually worked. It made a difference to my sons laptop connection which equated to one bar on the signal icon. They looked totally "heath robinson" but hey, what have you got to lose. Out with the scissors, glue and tin foil. Like Blue Peter all over again:)
Click to expand...

Saw that before, I doubted it's actual ability.

Will try it :D
 
Id try ethernet adapters. You can get Master + Multiple slaves now so that should do the trick, as good as wired without the huge amount of ethernet wires around the house
 
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