Help needed with solutions to boosting wireless signal.

Forums › Desktop computing › Help needed with solutions to boosting wireless signal.

kermit1818

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#119425 31-May-2013 14:17

I have my desktop computer downstairs with the router upstairs and am struggling getting a stong wifi signal. I have this card in my computer and was just wondering what would be my best solution to fixing this issue. Would something like this do the trick? And if I bought that would there be an issue as the aerial only has one input whilst the card I have has two? Any help would be great!

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#828843 31-May-2013 15:37

Wireless isn't that good for fixed computers. Install ethernet cable, or try powerline networking

http://www.alphacity.co.nz/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=0&zenid=889eb2ace12840c43e7c7eb8d212c68f&keyword=powerline&x=0&y=0

kermit1818

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#828852 31-May-2013 15:41

Hey thanks for the reply. It's a bit too far to run an ethernet cable so wireless would be preferred. If i was going down that path would that aerial be a good option?

timmmay

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#828853 31-May-2013 15:42

If you add a directional antenna you will get less signal to all the other devices up there, so I'm not sure I'd recommend it. It might work, if you can plug it in.

Powerline networking really is the best option if you can't run ethernet cable.

kermit1818

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Wannabe Geek

#828855 31-May-2013 15:47

Would it take away the signal even though I am plugging it into my desktop not to router itself? I understand it probably isn't the best option but I am not going to be in this house for too long and so dont want to spend hundreds of dollars setting up the powerline system. Unless there is an option for that under $50 or so?

timmmay

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#828856 31-May-2013 15:48

Ah yes, into the desktop that might help. I was thinking into the router.

kermit1818

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#828858 31-May-2013 15:49

Yer into my desktop. Would there be an issue with only one input of the aerial and me having two aerial outputs on my computer?

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timmmay

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#828878 31-May-2013 16:16

I have no idea, best wait for one of the guys who know more about wireless than me to chime in. I use wired for important stuff, and wireless only for hand held gadgets.

raytaylor

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#828927 31-May-2013 18:16

timmmay: I have no idea, best wait for one of the guys who know more about wireless than me to chime in. I use wired for important stuff, and wireless only for hand held gadgets.

I shall go back up the top and start reading :-)

Ray Taylor

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raytaylor

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#828940 31-May-2013 18:40

My recomendation is to get a directional patch antenna - or something more powerful.
This looks good:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/networking-modems/wireless-networking/adaptors/auction-597385539.htm

The problem is that you can loose alot of signal in the cable to the antennas. So if you had the supplied 3dbi antenna, and bought a 5dbi patch to replace it, and lost 3dbi in the cable, you really only have a 2dbi antenna and are potentially worse off than you were before.

Its best to get the signal into the air, sooner.

It doesnt matter that the external antenna only has one - you will need to see which antenna port on the back of the card gives you the better signal as it will probably revert to single chain N or back to G speeds anyway - which is still 20-50mbits.
One of the antennas on the back of the card will be the primary. The secondary one only kicks in when you are using a dual chain N router and its capable of using it.

However even better still will probably be to use some homeplug adapters and get 80mbit+ between your computer and the router.
With homeplug adapters, you can plug one directly into the back of the router downstairs, and direct into your computer upstairs and have a good speed.

Or you can plug the upstairs one into another router and have more wifi coverage for general devices up top.

Ray Taylor

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Virgil

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#828987 31-May-2013 19:34

I just purchased one of these
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=598003015
but it didn't do what I wanted, if you are in Auckland you are welcome to try it out and if it does what you want, slip me some moolah ...

Might not be the prettiest thing sitting on your desktop, but should get a decent signal :-)

Cheers

Lurking ...

freitasm

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#828996 31-May-2013 19:53

Has the OP considered powerline as suggested a couple of times?

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raytaylor

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#829002 31-May-2013 20:04

Virgil: I just purchased one of these
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=598003015
but it didn't do what I wanted, if you are in Auckland you are welcome to try it out and if it does what you want, slip me some moolah ...

Might not be the prettiest thing sitting on your desktop, but should get a decent signal :-)

Cheers

Not practical for indoor use.

Ray Taylor

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sonyxperiageek

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#829016 31-May-2013 20:16

freitasm: Has the OP considered powerline as suggested a couple of times?

Yep, he said he didn't want to spend hundreds on the powerline system as he wasn't going to be living in the same house for long...

But then again, if you don't spend the bucks, don't expect to get good results?

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kermit1818

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Wannabe Geek

#829032 31-May-2013 20:43

Alright cool, thanks for the help guys! May have to consider the powerline option. Had a look on TM and found auctions that are more affordable like http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/networking-modems/other/auction-598524575.htm so could be one to consider.

rwkell

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#829048 31-May-2013 21:30

Hi Kermit,

In addition to the suggestions above, there are some simple tests you could do quickly and cheaply (if you haven't already).

1. Make sure that you're not sharing the same wireless channel with 10 of your neighbours. Download something like Netstumber (http://www.stumbler.net) and check what wireless channel you're using. After running this a few weeknights after dinner, I fixed my wireless router to chennel 9 (rather than auto) and the sporadic connectivity issues I was having on my network disappeared. This can improve connectivity downstairs even if your other computers are connecting ok.

2. If you have other PCs with USB wireless adaptors, grab one of these adaptors and plug into your downstairs computer on a USB extension cable if you can. Your PCI wireless adaptor might be shielded from your wireless router by its position or the PC itself. Move the USB dongle around (and up) and check the signal strength in Netstumbler. Some USB wireless adaptors also sport external aerials, so this could be a cost-effective solution paired with a USB extension lead with a weighted base.

Hope some of this helps. If not, you might consider installing some of these downstairs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USA.NM.VeryLargeArray.02.jpg

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