Wireless Router - with long range.

csmager · 18 Apr 2006 at 11:03

I'm trying to help a friend find a router. His house has rather thick masonry walls, and with his current Wanadoo Livebox the signal won't even reach his bedroom.

So I'm wanting a reliable router with the most range. His laptop has built in wireless (centrino), so I don't suppose MIMO would help.

A removeable antenna would be a plus, I'd've thought - as then it can be replaced with a higher gain one.

Thanks for any suggestions!

errata · 18 Apr 2006 at 13:12

You may get better reception than nothing with a high power wireless router but its will be a gamble.

Consider a wired connection instead or a homeplug type solution using the mains circuits as ethernet.

Buffalo high power routers do well (not adsl though?) or a solution with an access point to relay the liveboxs signal may help but will costs lots and the livebox may not like such as system.

Try netstumbler software with the laptop to see if theers any obvious dead spots in the house

csmager · 18 Apr 2006 at 13:15

You might have a point there. A homeplug bridge to a second wireless access point might be the best solution.

Obviously CAT5 is the very best solution, but I think the house is listed and, even if it wasn't, the walls are very thick.... so it's not really an option.

Skilldibop · 18 Apr 2006 at 14:50

slap in another access point and set it up as a roaming bridge. That should extend the wireless range a fair bit.
If he's got twin antennae then you could be flash and attach a directional antennae to one to make a strong penetrative link between the two APs.

evil.jelly · 18 Apr 2006 at 15:00

I can highly recommend the homeplugs - they are excellent value and simply plug and play. They have the two version 11mb or 52mb i think - both fairly reasonable.

The other option is to have an antennae in the attic that beams down into the whole house as the floor boards are a lot thinner than the walls.