I am looking to broadcast my signal much better than my Linksys router is
providing me to share with my neighbor.

Can anyone give me ideas of extending my range without having to buy a new
router?

Thanks

On 27-Jun-2006, =?Utf-8?B?Unlhbg==?= <R***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

Transmit power is determined by international spec, receive sensitivity is around
the same for most mfrs, they use the same chipsets, variation is more due to
each mfrs implementation of antenna. So there isn't much you can do at
your end.
BUT your neighbour can improve his end by using a USB wireless adapter,
so he can position it for optimum signal, using a USB extension cord if
necessary. Then adding a reflector, I use a large thin walled plastic flower pot,
half coated on the outside with aluminium kitchen foil, held in place with
elastic bands. Sit the adapter in the middle of the flower pot.
Point the gap towards the wireless router.
ZyDAS chipset based USB adapter works fine, D-link crap, can't speak
for others.
Use static IP addresses rather than WinZeroConfig. Wireless can
occasionally drop out, with static config it reconnects with no
problems, and no noticable drop in continuity, with ZeroConfig
system can go into DHCP hell.
Reflector adds about 25 percent to signal strength and also, perhaps
more importantly signal quality. With long path lengths multipath reflections
may impose a limit on signal quality. Bit like the old days of ghosting
on television.

Ryan wrote:
The stock antennas that come with home routers like those from Linksys
typically are omnidirectional, which means that the transmitted signal
goes in all directions equally (at least in a horizontal plane).  Thus,
most of the power produced by the router's transmitter is essentially
wasted, as far as your neighbor is concerned.  If you use directional
antennas for transmitting (and receiving), you can concentrate the
radiated power to go where you want it go.
See http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=wifi+directional+antenna
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=cantenna
http://www.freeantennas.com/

Depending on which model Linksys router you have, you may be able to get
3rd-party firmware for it that, among other features, allows you to
boost the transmitted power, sometimes significantly.  Check out
http://www.linksysinfo.org/index.php  You will have to do some digging,
but there's a tremendous amount of Linksys-related info at that site.

For example see this FAQ ("I have poor signal strength from my router.
What should I do"):
http://www.linksysinfo.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=11330

If you are so inclined.....
http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html

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I should also add. that your neighbor would use this to point towards you,
you don't change anything.
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Hi

First, Legal Department.

Make sure that your are allowed to share with another household, many ISPs
consider such a practice illegal.

Second, Technology.

Wireless Coverage depends heavily on the Specific Environment. In most
cases, there is No Magic Hardware that can solve Distance issues.

Look at these pages they describe most of the options that are within the
means of Entry Level users, and choose the one that fits you environment
best.

Extending the Distance of Entry Level Wireless Network -
http://www.ezlan.net/Distance.html

Wirelessly Bridging Home/SOHO Network - http://www.ezlan.net/bridging.html

Hi Gain Antenna for Entry Level Wireless -
http://www.ezlan.net/antennae.html

Jack (MVP-Networking).


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One thing to consider is that the POWER may have nothing to do with it. If
you have high tension power lines nearby, a transmitting tower of something
like a TV station, radio station or other towers that retransmit other
traffic, a hospital or just plain horsehair plaster in the walls or that
sort of insulation that looks like aluminium, then you may well have a
reception problem because of that.

One good way to test is to hang your router out the window nearest your
neighbour and if they have a laptop, take it outside and if not, put the
desktop near the closest window to you. If your reception is then crystal
clear, it isn't a power problem. It's an interference problem.

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