On the Wifi Fringe. Which path should I take?

So, I am on the fringe area of a Wifi network, and if I place my notebook next to a window, I get about 1 bar. (Wireless G Network). If I go anywhere else, I am looking at 0 bars, dropping connection occasionally.

My question is, which direction should I go to improve this? A high-gain USB Wifi adapter? Access Point? Repeater? Sub-$100 would be nice.

I am so confused on which would be better for me here.

Thanks in advance!

 

Is it public WiFi or a network you've been given permission to access?


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I have permission to use this network. My neighbor and I are splitting the bill on internet which is very expensive where I live (rural area). I just need to get it further in my house so I don't have to constantly be by the window.

 

If it's a Wireless G router then ideally you should upgrade that into a Wireless N router since they generally offer greater signal coverage and bandwidth speeds then its Wireless G sibling.

 

100 feet of cat5e Ethernet cable.

 

then repeater with car battery and connect the next 100 feet of same cable, lol.

anyways, if you can change the wifi card in your laptop then why not do so

 

Not necessarily. From the way he phrased it, it seems the access point itself is Wireless-G, not his laptop. Granted, they could both be G, but just wanted to point that out.

In the case where you have an Wireless-N card in the laptop, but a wireless router that's G only, replace the router with an N router, preferably something with high transmit power. I remember Buffalo had some high-range routers, but I'm not sure how those are working. I also remember that they were having issues, or something.

If both the access point and laptop card are G, you'll have to switch them both. If the access point is N but the laptop is G, switch the laptop card.

I'd personally go that route first before attempting x feet of ethernet cable (haha) or repeaters.

 

If the antenna on the router is replaceable you can try to replace it with a larger antenna.

 

Assuming you have access to the router, try this: http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Multimedia-Wireless-Extender-WR300N/dp/B005D5M136

I'm probably going to try it for my parents' home because their router is at one end of the house and they use their laptops and kindle at the complete opposite end and barely get a signal.

 

Get a new modern dual-band Wireless-N router and use the old G router as a repeater (depending on the router, you may be able to use DD-WRT for this) if necessary.

The guys in the network subforum will be able to better help you. I've moved your thread here.

 

@njlpowell

Starting with something simple- what router is it and how much freedom do you have in terms of making changes/upgrades at that end?