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Thread: Extending wi-fi range

  1. #1
    Junior Member
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    Extending wi-fi range

    I have a wireless network at home, but it's not giving me the expected signal although the distance isn't that long.

    Several questions need to be answered :

    1- What is the best placement for the router ? For convenience I have it on top of a subwoofer, so I thought that might cause interference, but I wanna know if it REALLY does.

    2- How can I change the encryption settings or tweak the router to give a longer range ? I am using WPA2-PSK with AES encryption, and broadcasting on channel 11. I've read that changing the RTS threshold (reducing it) will give a longer range, but I don't know if it will cause any problems.
    I also recently enabled "Xpress Technology" which should make it better.

    ANY info or tips are appreciated...

  2. #2
    Junior Member
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    Wireless Woes

    First let me say that my specialty is wired routing, not wireless.

    It goes without saying that you should get the Router as close to your destination as possible. Second, Place the router as close to the center of your range as possible. For example- if you are going to use your entire house, place it in the center. Probably not the best idea to have it close to electronics, as it degrades the signal. You also have the option of purchasing either a second router to act as a repeater, or a antenna extender for your current router. If theres something I wasn't clear on, let me know.

    Hope This Helps,
    Gillis
    Editor of www.backdoor-hunters.dnsdojo.org
    --------------------------------------------
    Your Source For IT Security And Hacker Alerts
    Gillis Jones

  3. #3
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    What I did, is I made a small "dish" out of cardboard and metal wire-mesh, and stuck it to the antenna on one of my d-link routers. I aimed this "dish" (which looks more like the outside of a loudspeaker) out a window, towards my grandparents' house (which is like only 300ft away). A nice little side effect is that there are rows of pine trees behind my house, and trees in rows make EXCELLENT signal directors if you're aiming a directional antenna down the length of the space between them. The other side of the field where the trees are planted is a good 800ft, and I get a "good" signal there. However, if I move over to the next row of trees, my signal dies. OLSR mesh networking, anyone?

  4. #4
    Junior Member
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    Nuk- Would you do a step by step in case he would like to try it?
    Okay, so it sounds like a cool little project Id like to try.
    Editor of www.backdoor-hunters.dnsdojo.org
    --------------------------------------------
    Your Source For IT Security And Hacker Alerts
    Gillis Jones

  5. #5
    Senior Member
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    As far as increasing your signal strength there is a couple things i've heard of but have not been able to try to confirm.
    1. put a mirror facing the way you want the signal to go and it should increase the distance a little.
    2. you can purchase an exteranl antena for your wireless card.

    Or the best thing I've came across is the following link
    http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php

    depending on your router make and version it should be supported. If not you can purchase a $30 dollar router and make it a $200 + dollar router with the features it unlocks in the router (including boosting the wirelss strength)

    FYI...

    If you do decide to do this follow the instructions and do exactly what they say. hope that helps
    LOGIN: yes
    PASSWORD: I dont have one
    "Login Failed"

  6. #6
    Just Another Geek
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    The encryption settings have nothing to do with signal strength..

    Have a look at other Wifi in the neighborhood, don't use the same channel try to keep a 2 channel 'distance'.
    Oliver's Law:
    Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

  7. #7
    Priapistic Monk KorpDeath's Avatar
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    Last edited by KorpDeath; May 28th, 2008 at 07:42 PM.
    Mankind have a great aversion to intellectual labor; but even supposing knowledge to be easily attainable, more people would be content to be ignorant than would take even a little trouble to acquire it.
    - Samuel Johnson

  8. #8
    Banned
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    Just make sure you don't extend your range all the way to El Paso...

  9. #9
    rebmeM roineS enilnOitnA steve.milner's Avatar
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    You should remove it from the subwoofer.

    The magnet & coils will muck up the signal propagation and the ability to receive the return signal.

    You could invest in some larger WiFi aerials, either unidirectional or omnidirectional.

    This link will give you some ideas:

    http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?...&doy=30m5&SD=Y

    Although UK based it will point you in the right direction for what to look for.

    HTH

    Steve
    IT, e-commerce, Retail, Programme & Project Management, EPoS, Supply Chain and Logistic Services. Yorkshire. http://www.bigi.uk.com

  10. #10
    Senior Member nihil's Avatar
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    Yeah,

    Don't put stuff on subwoofers. They also emit low frequency vibrations which might mess up the dry (cold) joints.

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