How to extend wireless range upstairs with spare AP?

other

I've got 2 wireless access points, one has a ADSL modem built in, so it is the Primary one. However that will be in the study and it would be nice to use the laptop upstairs as well. I don't think I will get a very good connection upstairs, so can I use my spare wireless AP Linksys WRT54G to act as a booster station, hopefully via WiFi, or will it need to be via a wired ethernet connection?

espresso

I don't understand why you think that it won't work upstairs unless you live in a castle! Try changing the orientation of the aerial to send the signal upstairs.

other

Because I used to use the laptop in the room directly above the Primary AP but was only getting low signal quality. The AP is a BT voyager btw. Now there are more walls and ceilings between the AP and the laptop (bedroom) due to different house, so I'm worried there will be a problem.

Of course, I should be more worried that the broadband won't be switched on today as planned by BT

MadCowMan

you can also use extra ariels to boost the WLAN signal if its a bit weak.

re: using the 2nd unit as a repeater without an thernet connection , it *can* be done , but its quite tricky.

You'll use a system called WDS ( wireless Distribution Service ) which the WRT54G doesn't support out of the box , you have to upgrade the firmware to do so.

WDS also reduced the effective bandwidth of the repeated signall , but it would be fine for web browsing.

espresso

You may have had foil backed plasterboard in the previous house which would attenuate the signal. Try it first and see how it goes but I have never found range to be a problem.

Lorian

To get better coverage upstairs turn the aerial on the router to be horizontal.

If this doesn't help, take a look for 7db or 9db wifi aerials on Ebay, assuming your router supports detachable aerials.

nomoneytoday

The best way to increase range is with empty Pringles tins (seriously)
We live in the country, and receive a clear signal from around 800 meters this way

espresso

nomoneytoday wrote:

The best way to increase range is with empty Pringles tins (seriously)
We live in the country, and receive a clear signal from around 800 meters this way

Surely that is point to point in open space though.

Lorian

And then you're going to need to buy the connectors, cable, threaded bolt, washers etc to do a half-reasonable job of it.

There is some merit in cutting one in half and using it as a reflector though.

chunter

nomoneytoday wrote:

The best way to increase range is with empty Pringles tins (seriously)
We live in the country, and receive a clear signal from around 800 meters this way

You eat all the pringles while you move the antenna around?

superscaper

chunter wrote:

You eat all the pringles while you move the antenna around?

Why would you need a range of 800m? I suppose if you owned large amounts of land with outbuildings....