typical range on a wi-fi router

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SNicolle

539 posts

Ultimate Geek

#7634 29-Apr-2006 19:36

With some re organisation around home I'm looking at moving my computer setup into my room which means moving from about 2 ft from the router and 2m from the ADSL splitter to approx 1.5 storeys (6-10m) directly above. What I am after is sufficient Wi-Fi range through a ceiling, a gap and a floor to connect my 2 laptops for internet use. It means I have a much better working setup but I'm not too sure how hot the range would be. External antennas are not really an option as I am not that interested although my older laptop will be getting a 802.11g usb or cardbus/pcmcia card to offer better speeds.

What is the typical range for routers? I know interference from BT, Microwaves and cordless phones can cause problems but the cordless we run in our house is not 2.4ghz, so that is sweet and the microwave is in the kitchen and would be on the fringe about 12m away.
What range would one expect from a std router and what can be done to ensure a strong clear signal.
Minimal capital outlay is preferable

sbiddle

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Biddle Corp

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#34290 29-Apr-2006 20:44

The best way to know is to test your setup.

One of the biggest problems is that omnidirectional antennas are vertical polarisation and send a signal outwards and not upwards. If you want coverage above the router reorienting the aerials so they are running horizontally out of the router rather than pointing upwards at 90 degrees may possibly improve the situation if the PC above. If the PC above has an external aerial that allows you to do the same thing it would pay to change that as well.

If that fails a panel antenna should improve things considerably if it's pointed upwards.

SNicolle

539 posts

Ultimate Geek

#34292 29-Apr-2006 20:47

interesting, the fact i haven't invested in any wireless infrastructure yet makes testing difficult but i will bear it inmind, i'm away all week so its not a pressing thing

juha

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#34307 30-Apr-2006 10:20

I would check out a router with MIMO aerials. Have had very good results with Belkin and Linksys ones, both of which provide strong signals 30-40m away (so remember to secure the router against bandwidth jackin' neighbours). The drawback to MIMO is that you need it on both ends to work the best, so it's a costlier solution in that respect.

Otherwise, booster aerials for Wifi routers are cheap and work wonders too.

Juha

lapimate

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#34318 30-Apr-2006 17:55

You might investigate the (non-MIMO) Buffalo Airstation WHR-HP-G54 which doesn't require a MIMO network card. PC User April 06 p71 report that its 802.11g Super G perfomance is nearly up to that of the best MIMO results their tests obtained, and actually better than the MIMO performance of some other well-known brands.

craigbov

108 posts

Master Geek

#34360 1-May-2006 09:50

I've recently upgraded my wireless router at home to a USR MaxG 9108 - i'm getting about 50% more range than my old Dlink one - I still get decent coverage at my letterbox.

juha

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#34370 1-May-2006 11:13

craigbov: I've recently upgraded my wireless router at home to a USR MaxG 9108 - i'm getting about 50% more range than my old Dlink one - I still get decent coverage at my letterbox.

Funny place to do your computing at eh?

Juha