Device to Increase Wi-Fi RECEIVING on a Laptop?

Valhalla · 02-22-2007, 03:19 PM

Do you know of any USB device that you can hook to a laptop to increase its ability to RECEIVE wireless networking signals?

I already know about signal boosters to increase the transmission strength of wireless routers, but I want to increase my laptop's receiving power.

Are there any attachable devices out there that can do this?
Basically I need to ability to pull in more distant wi-fi networks that are owned by random people, but are unsecured.

Thanks.

skipidybebop · 02-23-2007, 05:33 PM

Assuming that the random people with unsecurred wireless access points are your friends and you are not attempting to steal your neighbours internet access. (I have no morals whatsoever but the forum has a few rules which we must respect).

Wireless USB Adaptor
Linksys WUSB54G
http://www.linksys.com

External Corner Antenna
Hawking HAI15SC
http://www.hawkingtech.com

The above will cost you less than $50 and the results are AWESOME.

Dont be tempted by expensive good looking rubbish.

You will also need this http://www.netstumbler.com

Happy surfing.

Valhalla · 02-23-2007, 07:36 PM

Excellent, this was exactly what I was looking for.

I saw the Hawking dish at Fry's a while back, but I couldn't find it on their website originally.

Thanks!

skipidybebop · 02-23-2007, 09:16 PM

Hawking also make a satellite dish looking thing. Dont bother it's pretty naff. The parabolic corner antenna works much better. -15dbi!!! Every 3dbi roughly doubles the distance.

Their small paddle shaped USB device is pretty good too. Holds onto the signal to the very last, but it doesn't work with Netstumbler, which is an absolute must.

Get yourself a cheap camera tripod and mount an old TV satellite dish on top of it. Remove the LMB (dish feeder) and replace it with the corner antenna facing the dish.

Now connect the in-line signal amplifier that you use with your router to the above. Does exactly the same job.

...What do you wanna connect to, dude?...

02-22-2007, 03:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
Valhalla Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 4 OS: XP	Device to Increase Wi-Fi RECEIVING on a Laptop? Do you know of any USB device that you can hook to a laptop to increase its ability to RECEIVE wireless networking signals? I already know about signal boosters to increase the transmission strength of wireless routers, but I want to increase my laptop's receiving power. Are there any attachable devices out there that can do this? Basically I need to ability to pull in more distant wi-fi networks that are owned by random people, but are unsecured. Thanks.

02-23-2007, 05:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
skipidybebop Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 46 OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional +SP2	Assuming that the random people with unsecurred wireless access points are your friends and you are not attempting to steal your neighbours internet access. (I have no morals whatsoever but the forum has a few rules which we must respect). Wireless USB Adaptor Linksys WUSB54G http://www.linksys.com External Corner Antenna Hawking HAI15SC http://www.hawkingtech.com The above will cost you less than $50 and the results are AWESOME. Dont be tempted by expensive good looking rubbish. You will also need this http://www.netstumbler.com Happy surfing.

02-23-2007, 07:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Valhalla Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 4 OS: XP	Excellent, this was exactly what I was looking for. I saw the Hawking dish at Fry's a while back, but I couldn't find it on their website originally. Thanks!

02-23-2007, 09:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
skipidybebop Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 46 OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional +SP2	Hawking also make a satellite dish looking thing. Dont bother it's pretty naff. The parabolic corner antenna works much better. -15dbi!!! Every 3dbi roughly doubles the distance. Their small paddle shaped USB device is pretty good too. Holds onto the signal to the very last, but it doesn't work with Netstumbler, which is an absolute must. Get yourself a cheap camera tripod and mount an old TV satellite dish on top of it. Remove the LMB (dish feeder) and replace it with the corner antenna facing the dish. Now connect the in-line signal amplifier that you use with your router to the above. Does exactly the same job. ...What do you wanna connect to, dude?...