Could be a silly question but here goes.......

I have a desktop running at the edge of reception from a wireless access point (strength low to very low), if i put a high gain (say 7dB) antenna on the access point will it improve matters, or do I require a similar antenna on the PC end as well? What are my other options (cheap!) other than hard wiring.

Thanks in adavnce.

Re: Extending Wireless Range

There are repeaters available. Do a Google.

Chris B

Re: Extending Wireless Range

Yes, a higher gain or directional antenna is one solution. No, you don't need one at each end. You do need the adapter at whichever end you are going to install it at to be capable of accepting a plug-in antenna.

Another solution could be something like Linksys's WRE54G Range Extender. I can't endorse it because I've never seen a test, but what you want to do is what it claims to do.

There is also some wireless equipment that does a lot better than others on range. You need to read the reviews to see which they are.

Another possibility if it is domestic use is to use something like the Netcomm Homeplug ethernet over power adapter. That is, instead of running the signal through the air or putting in ethernet cabling you run it through the power wiring. It does require the a common power circuit. And 14 Mb/sec doesn't sound fast, but its comparable with wireless.

Putting in ethernet cabling doesn't cost that much you know. And ethernet over cable is a l-o-t faster. You can run pretty close to the theoretical 100 Mb/s, or even 1000 Mb/s if you use gigabit ethernet adapters. Whereas wireless is only capable of a fraction of the theoretical maximum. You're lucky to get 15 Mb/sec throughput out of "54 Mb/sec" wireless link.

Re: Extending Wireless Range

I have a cheap and nasty Netcomm wireless USB stick that is connecting with an equally cheap and nasty access point that is 200mts away at a friends house!

To achieve this I experimented with making a type of parabolic dish (like a satellite dish). I tried everything from woks to metal mixing bowls and found the circular wire chinese cooking scoop (approx 30cm diameter) that can be bought for around $5 at any Asian grocery store worked very well and gave me a 12 dB gain! One at each end would give us nearly 10 KM Line Of Sight connection!

I then found in the garbage an old indoor amplified TV antenna with a wire mesh dish. I removed the dish from the unit and mounted my 11mbps wireless stick at the focal point and acheived a 16 dB gain!

Focal Point = diameter x diameter / depth x 60 eg a 300mm "dish" with a 16mm depth would mean the Focal point is at approx 93mm