Another wireless question - poor signal strength

Merlot

I would appreciate your advice, I have my main Pc and a laptop connected via a wireless Netgear router, I connected my sons pc today and the strength varies from very low to sometimes good, I have read somewhere that you can purchase a "high gain antenna", are these any good?, will it guarantee a good signal strength virtually everywhere in the house. I have moved the router and have re-arranged my sons room several times and that does help, but his furniture isn't in the ideal position, what are your suggestions other than knocking down a few walls.

Any advice welcome and much appreciated.

Merlot

sco0ter

What type of router is it???

I had a netgear DG834GT and the signal was terrible.. Everytime the microwave was switched on it would disconnect.. I now use a DG834PN and the signal is excellent.. It is constant throughout my house and even when it shows as very low I still get excellent speed and connection

ormus

my netgear d834g goes across the road to my daughters house with no problems.
and i can see 4 "netgear router" networks from my dining room!

loudcox

It's most likely caused by your property having solid concrete internal walls, severely reducing the signal strength. If your son's PC's wireless card has a detachable antenna, then yes, a replacement high gain one will improved the signal. Try searching on Maplin.co.uk for "high gain wireless antenna"

hth

oldrimes

If its due to something between you and the router - its worthwhile trying something like the linksys usb wifi connector - it comes with a 1 metre (approx) cable, so that you can try positioning it in different places (bluetac is very useful here), and also has its own aeriel that can be extended.
(http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/Reviews.asp?ProductID=806)

Alternatively - Which channel are you using for wifi on your router (often the default channel is 11)? If anyone is using the same channel as your router is on - for their wifi network - then that could be causing the problem with your son's connection.

On his computer - scan for available networks - to see what networks he can see, and what channels they are on. I've even seen interference when someone was using a channel near to mine - say channel 7 when I've been using channel 8. I can also see different networks from different parts of our house.

Unfortunately you will only be able to see the networks that are set to broadcast their SSID (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SSID), its highly likely that others are there, just not broadcasting - need more specialist equipment to find their channel out.

Its well worthwhile trying out a few different channels well away from the ones you can see around you. In my experience, interference from other wifi services is the most likely problem.

I've chosen to set the highest level of encryption, and broadcast my SSID - simply because it means I'm less likely to suffer from others using the same channel and causing interference.

kurjam

how do you scan for available networks ??

Merlot

loudcox wrote: »

It's most likely caused by your property having solid concrete internal walls, severely reducing the signal strength.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

I live in a Barr*tt new build, my daughters dolls house is better built.

Thanks for the advice though.

Merlot