Wi-Fi Signal Booster?

I am looking for a way to improve my wi-fi signal. I have a D-Link DGL-4300 router and while it works great, the antenna seems a little weak. Our PC's and router are in our finished basement, but since we've been spending more time on our main floor with our new laptops, I'm realizing that the signal can degrade quickly as well as fluctuate.

Is there a better antenna or a separate device that can be used to improve signal on our main floor? Also, adding a separate device, will that increase latency for online gaming?

I'd prefer to stick with D-link just for compatability, however I know it really shouldn't matter.

Thanks.

 

Having the router in the basement is your problem. Even if you upgrade to a better dBi antenna, it will only improve your range a little bit if at all, simply because of the concrete foundation that's blocking the signals.
I would suggest either 2 things; move your router to the main floor or add a repeater on the main floor.

 

Actually, I got better range when I put my router on second floor. It sounds odd, but it really works. My router is even shielded by a metal panel in my switch box, I can still get the signal at every corner in the house. I guess, that metal panel makes a reflector.

 

How can concrete foundation block the signals when it's wood flooring from the basement up to the main floor. I can see a weak signal outside the home, but not within the house.

All I need is a little better range/power. I am considering this antenna:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189159

or this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833980001

It's not that expensive, so worth a shot I guess.

 

Well the reason why I say that is that most antennas/antennae are designed to cover horizontal distance rather than height. So changing the antenna would only create more distance(but since your in the basement) there is no point and the issue is trying to send the signal upwards. The ones you posted only give a 2-3dbi increase to the standard antenna and in your case I'm not sure how well that would improve the range if at all.

I would suggest this cheap mod before you venture off and buying some unneeded equipment. Using this mod would increase your range to an equivalent of a 7dbi antenna(which is equal or better than the ones linked from newegg).


<embed src="http://www.metacafe.com/fplayer/837885/wifi_antenna_hack.swf" width='400' height='345' wmode="transparent" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>


WIFI Antenna Hack! - video powered by Metacafe

 

Good find on the antenna mod D3X

 

Hmm, really now?
Maybe I'll try that mod. Thanks D3x

 

Thanks D3x will give that a shot. Problem is that I don't own a soldering gun, so might be cheaper to buy a cheap high gain antenna.

 

You can buy a soldering gun for $5, also if you just twist the wires together will work the same just don't bump or twist to avoid comming loose. But that straw covered in ink looks cool!

 

the ultimate mod for a wireless router would be building a directional cantenna, all you need is a female pigail couple nuts bolts, nail, and coaxial cable and you are set =) you can google how to build cantennas easily.

another alternative would be a parabolic antenna

 

A cantenna is too directional, and is meant to cover long distances.

The easiest way to describe an antenna is that a 0db antenna broadcasts as a circle. As you increase the db you stretch the circle horizontally (in relation to the antenna) and crush it vertically. A 0db antenna would broadcast like this o. A high db antenna would broadcast like this -.

Sorry I can't draw a picture at the moment

The easiest possible sollution would be to move your wireless to the center of your main floor and tilt the antenna at a 45 degree angle \__/ or greater.

A more expensive, and more affective, solution would be to move your wireless to the main floor and add an access point in your basement.

 

You say "crush" vertically. I have doubts as to if you are correct, nothing is lost specifically just in proportion and that is significant and not at all what you said.

 

How about this? This is a VERY simplistic way to look at antenna radiation patterns and the affect of gain.

a 0db antenna broadcasts in a circular pattern. As the db (or gain) of the antenna increases the pattern becomes oblong, as in a horizontal oval, thereby reducing the signal level to devices that are above or below the radiating element (antenna).

 

Here's some info at wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antenna_measurement

So do you mean it propogates like this:



Does this mean that the antenna is the center of this thing, and radiates outward as such?

Plus, I am considering this antenna because I can get it for $35 at Circuit City with $20 mail-in-rebate. I can mount it near the ceiling of the basement at one outer wall at an angle so it should work well I would think.

http://www.dlink.com/products/resource.asp?pid=416&rid=1551&sec=0

What does the "Half Power Beam Width" mean in the specs? This one says "Horizontal 360 degrees / Vertical 24 degrees"

 

Some routers can be overclocked to increase range.
Easiest solution is just move the router.

 

All stck Wi-Fi antennas output in a omni-directional pattern. What you need is what chinmonkie suggested, a directional cantenna.

However the cheapest soultion is to move the router to a higher location. Even with the stock antennas you will see a marked improvement in signal quality.

Realize that any and all obstacles pose a problem for signal quality/strenght even wood floors.

Good Luck!

 

That is my point, not that easy, which is why I am inquiring. All cabling and PC office stuff is wired for basement. Main floor has kitchen, living room, bedrooms and bathroom. No room or spot to place or run a router and wiring, and wifey will not want me drilling through our new hardwood flooring.

Signal is decent as is, just it fluctuates, and rarely is at full strength where we are using our laptops now. I will try this new antenna and see how well it works.

 

OK, you guys were right (of course). My signal didn't improve much if at all. I think I am going to get an access point or repeater, which leads me to ask, what is the difference between an access point and repeater (or range extender).

D-Link has these two items:

DWL-G710 Range Extender

DWL-G700AP Access Point

I understand that basically an Access Point is usually hard wired to to a network connection (router, etc), and Range Extender can do the same but wirelessly. But can't an Access Point work as a Range Extender as well?

 

An Access Point creates another signal ie; SSID and does not repeat the signal of the host network(via hard wire) whereas a Range Extender duplicates the SSID and broadcasts it at that location however keep in mind that it must be within range of the host router.

 

Ok, thanks, that's what I figured. I think I can mount a range extender in our entertainment center since I don't have to route any wires. Going to return the boost antenna tho.

 

The only want to affect the range of your router is to make changes to the internal radio or external antenna. A directional antenna of any kind will only make your situation worse.

With HiDef content becoming more prevalent it may be a good time to run some wiring in the upstairs walls (at least to your entertainment center). This would give you a point to connect an access point.

 

well here are my two cents
i think you can create a parabolic antenna that focuses the range in one area
or http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template/ relativly cheap and you will get a higher gain =)
you shoudl test with netstumbler before and after for your reception to see if there are improvements

another thing you can do is buy one of thouse adapters that changes one of your electrical plugs into a Lan adapter info is here http://products.howstuffworks.com/actiontec-homeplug-ethernet-kit-review.htm

Good luck