Wireless Range Extender

[Gonzo]

Hi all,

I have an O2 Wireless Box at the front of an old house that doesn't quite cover all the places I need it to.

Having done a bit of research, I'm not sure whether I need to:

a) boost the signal with something like this http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/productlist.php?CatID=32&FamID=72&ProdID=187

OR

b) Extend the signal range with something like this: http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/productlist.php?CatID=32&FamID=105&ProdID=394

Any views?

Cheers

 

[gwigglesworth]

All depends if you can get a network cable then you can use any wireless hub pretty much.

If not you could look to use a mains network to that point? Or even a mains network then a wireless hub from that point

 

[Schtum]

Try the D.I.Y approach first....

http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-WIFI-Antenna-Reception-Booster/

http://www.ehow.com/how_4684595_build-wifi-antenna.html

 

[Humbug]

A couple of THESE worked for me.

 

[Gonzo]

Thanks for the replies so far chaps.

Humbug - unfortunately my O2 router cannot have its antenna removed (or so t'internet and a quick shufty at the box tell me) otherwise the antenna option would have been a good, cheap place to start.

Which sort of answers my main question anyway - one of the options requires unscrewing the antenna.

 

[g.s.john]

have you tryed moving the router upstairs it does improve the signal
belkin F50088 btw

 

[ironandsteel]

Wireless Repeater

Use a second router as a wireless 'repeater'.

We have a Netgear setup with two routers - one connected to the telephone line which sends wireless and cable and the second (picks up the wireless signal and sends it out again at full wack also with cable capability so we can cover a very wide area through solid brick walls etc..

Works really well; google it.

 

[GunZenBomZ]

I have bought a number of extenders from this place & they are brilliant. You should aim it towards the best direction of course, or slowly scan the skyline till you find the sweet spot.

http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/blog/tag/3g-signal-booster/

Unless you have tried this path, perhaps you should consider a DIY project.

http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/3713661

 

[Myke Rocks]

If you cannot use a mains network:

All depends if you can get a network cable then you can use any wireless hub pretty much.

If not you could look to use a mains network to that point? Or even a mains network then a wireless hub from that point

If you cannot use any of the above, another very easy solution is to buy an apple router. Once you have this, (You do not need an apple computer)
you can just plug in an Apple Airport Express extender into any 13a socket somewhere towards the area in which you require a stronger signal. The wireless area will immediately extend to almost double the distance from the main router. A second Airport Express another 40 metres or so on will extend the range by another 50 metres or so. Wireless area can be extended almost infinitely by successive Airport Expresses.
An Airport express may also be connected to a HI Fi system, enabling I Tunes to play music over the HI FI system wirelessly.

Myke

 

[john1215]

Hi all,

I have an O2 Wireless Box at the front of an old house that doesn't quite cover all the places I need it to.

Gonzo,

If your wireless box has an ethernet port for a network cable and you can hide any cables then this is the best option for no loss of speed. You may need a network switch if you want to access from more than one place. Use CAT 5 cables, you can buy them in various length from say 1 metre up to 30 metres.

One of the other suggestions was to try moving the wireless box to another room higher in the house and try to ensure that there as few walls between the computer and the router as possible, the wireless signals will degrade through old stone walls.

john