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...

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

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? ;)

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.

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 :)

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'.

try this. http://www.freeantennas.com/

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

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

Yeah,

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

About Wi-Fi. I heard from people it was causing problems, like itchy eyes, running nose, etc..

And I figured, well. I guess that's true since usually you are in a cafe, or library, or another large network area -- And that is a ton of heat in one single area, fans or not.

But, I heard something like they would stop Wi-Fi connections which will make businesses lose alot of customers.

Also, it's my first post in along while.. I'm currently trying to get my degree in Computer Science. Two years up so far, two more to go. I hope.

Hi Heart Xlr8r,

Quote:

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I heard from people it was causing problems, like itchy eyes, running nose, etc..

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Yes, just what I get from my pollen allergy. The big question would be: do they get it 24/7/365?

Then the question.......... why is it on so long?

I would like to know if people who do not have computers or cellphones suffer the same in the same neighborhood?

I've got no idea, I don't even know if i've got any allergies.. I've tried to find ones that link me to the ones my family has, and nothing.

Would really suck if Wi-Fi was discarded, what about the poor students in college that cant speak to their families? Or, what about the hapless chap still living in his parents basement, Ok that's rare but still. What if he wants to get on the internet? And the only router his parents have only allows ethernet plugin.

Even then, with the plugin isn't LAN or WLAN supported by the Wi-Fi?

WHat is this about wi-fi being discarded, did I miss something?

Hmmmm,

My basic view on this is that there is a big difference between coincidence and causality.

I remember back in highschool math doing a statistical test on the number of teachers and the incidence of mental ilness............... it was a perfect fit!

Now, this did not lead to the conclusion that teachers are mad (a coincidence:lildevil:)........... the common denominator was the increase in population.

I am prepared to believe that some people are hypersensitive, but I would expect that to be a minute number. I wonder if it is something else?

You mentioned:

Quote:

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And I figured, well. I guess that's true since usually you are in a cafe, or library, or another large network area -- And that is a ton of heat in one single area, fans or not

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Which got me thinking........... what about the air conditioning? We have all heard of Legionnaire's disease and sick building syndrome, and they were around long before WiFi. Another thing to look at would be neon lighting?

The human mind is a wonderful mechanism. If you convince yourself that something will make you ill, then it will?

My real question would be that given all the Luddites and whistle blowers out there; how come nobody has come up with any scientific proof?

Also, how come these people don't have problems with TV and radio?

You are exactly right on Nihil. Every time I go into my local Barnes & Noble, after a few hours, my nose runs and I start getting a bit of a headache. They have WiFi there. Why would I pick that to blame? I had the same symptoms before they got WiFi. But if some new person starts going in there after reading that article and has my symptoms, they will likely be dead certain of the cause.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nihil

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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Bloody dry joints...

I'd been changing the batteries like nobody's business on the TV remote only to eventually track the problem down to a dry joint. Pity I can't find my soldering iron anywhere.

Still, a bit of brute force & ignorance has cured the problem.

Steve

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nihil

The human mind is a wonderful mechanism. If you convince yourself that something will make you ill, then it will?

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In my latest role (yeah I know things keep on moving on!!) I've inherited responsibility for Air Con setting - You wouldn't believe the who-ha this is..

Anyway, one perpetual complainant has had their symptoms (cold all the time) cured.

By placing a thermometer on their desk and now they can see the temperature is reasonable all day long they're not cold any more.

QED.

Regards,

Steve

Wrap some aluminum foil around the antenna. Creating something like a long (vertical) cigar.

Enjoy.