Increase wifi range on a laptop

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xzava

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

Topic # 31124 5-Mar-2009 17:07

Im looking to increase the wifi range of my laptop, I found this link

http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wirelessfaqs/f/wifilaptoprange.htm

But where do i buy these products from??
Any ideas??

alig

56 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 204694 1-Apr-2009 14:39

I extended the range of my friend's Asus PCI card (with external antenna) by adding a fry pan lid as a microwave parabolic reflector to that antenna.
You may try an external wireless USB adaptor on an USB extention cable instead of antenna and add a mesh or a lid...like this one http://www.usbwifi.orconhosting.net.nz/

kiwitrc

4123 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 842
Inactive user

Reply # 204741 1-Apr-2009 16:30

alig: I extended the range of my friend's Asus PCI card (with external antenna) by adding a fry pan lid as a microwave parabolic reflector to that antenna.
You may try an external wireless USB adaptor on an USB extention cable instead of antenna and add a mesh or a lid...like this one http://www.usbwifi.orconhosting.net.nz/

Yes but you need to be careful, I have heard bad things about using the Zip lids as they can clash with the Breville mark 2 lid. The SunBeam seems to be most directional (probably due to the Beam in the name) and the Black and Decker toaster can be used as a great RF shield if you put a Tefal pot lid over the top of the slots.

alig

56 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 204755 1-Apr-2009 17:28

Yeah...Black and Decker has the best support ever.. Just downloaded their latest firmware for the toaster. Works like a charm

raytaylor

3280 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 661

Trusted

Reply # 208845 23-Apr-2009 17:58

Surprisingly the above posters are correct for most of what they said - except the toaster doesnt use downloadable firmware

A more practical way would be to use a pcmcia card with an external antenna. Dick smith can help with these. An even easier way is to check your access point / base and see if the antenna is detachable. If it is then you can get a bigger antenna for the base / ap rather than an external antenna attached to the laptop.

Ray Taylor
Taylor Broadband (rural hawkes bay)
www.ruralkiwi.com

There is no place like localhost
For my general guide to extending your wireless network Click Here

alig

56 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 208904 23-Apr-2009 23:49

raytaylor:
A more practical way would be to use a pcmcia card with an external antenna. Dick smith can help with these. An even easier way is to check your access point / base and see if the antenna is detachable. If it is then you can get a bigger antenna for the base / ap rather than an external antenna attached to the laptop.

My friend's Asus wireless adaptor had an external antenna. It was almost useless until I placed this antenna into a fry-pan lid and pointed it to the direction of the access point (I wasn't joking). Basic microwave reflector.
So I guess the best way would be using a wireless usb network card on a usb extension cable with some sort of reflector (anything metallic and parabolic).