Installing a range extender....

[sjb007]

Howdy all

I have been asked by a friend of the best way to help a computer on his network gain a better signal. Altogether he 3 computers on a wireless network, 2 of which are fine and one which suffers from a lack of signal. I have had a poke around and I have been looking at a range extender for him which is featured at Maplins electronics here

Im not too savy on networking but am I right in thinking I can purchase this product and then it can simply sit in the same room as the affected computer to boost the signal or is there more to it than meets the eye. What problems (if any) can I expect to hit?

Thanks & Regards

[Maz_-]

these are fairly easy to setup and it shouldnt be a problem, if there are any they are just little tweaks here and there. This will act like a repeater and just amplify the signal so there is not a lot going on in this device. Have you tried looking for a repeater? might be cheaper....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/wireless-rep...epeater&page=1

have a look here there is some fancy stuff on there like wall plugs extender to save space etc.

[johnwill]

I would NOT go for the range extender, a much better option IMO is to use hi-gain antennas and/or signal boosters. Range extenders are just another active component to configure and to have issues with.


Hawking Tech has a number of products that will help you increase your wireless range. The root page is Hawking Hi-Gain™ WiFi Range Extending Products.

Some of the more interesting products are this Hawking [HSB2] Hi-Gain WiFi Signal Booster, which can be used on either end of a wireless connection to boost the signal power.

Another way to increase your signal strength is by the use of hi-gain antennas. You can choose from omni-directional or directional models, here are a some examples.

Hawking [HAI7SIP] Hi-Gain 7dBi Omni-Directional Antenna

Hawking [HAI15SC] Hi-Gain 15dBi Corner Antenna

[HAO14SD] Outdoor Hi-Gain 14dBi Directional Antenna Kit


This is just a sample of available products, many people have hi-gain antennas with similar specifications, but I haven't seen any other suppliers of signal boosters.

[sjb007]

Howdy

Thanks to both of you for the ideas/feedback on extending.

The idea of hi-gain antennas looks good but im pretty sure he is running from a netgear usb adaptor. I though about replacing the antenna on the router but the current antenna appears fixed and non removable (netgear wgr614). Is it possible to get adaptors with hi gain??

Thanks

[Maz_-]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edimax-EW-73...ef=pd_sim_ce_2

have look at the above. For a hi-gain adapter thats the kinda thing we are looking at, dont expect the performance for these to match upto to wat all the Antenna above.

[sjb007]

Well I been going a bit of googling here and found a couple more adaptors, I see the edimax one you mention has 4db gain but it is not a name I am too familiar with, Another adaptor I found is a buffalo one >> here and is reasonably priced too but no mention of what the gain is. I did found a 5bd adaptor at maplins >> here - is 5db a good amount of gain for an adaptor? Plus I see this stick has the option to add a higher gain aerial

All opinions welcome..... !

[johnwill]

If you can find the Rosewill RNX-G1 USB adapter in the UK, I've had pretty good luck with it. It has an external antenna connection so that you can add hi-gain antennas. I picked mine up in the US for $10 after a rebate.

[sjb007]

Thanks for the info there John, Ill have a look around in the morning see what I can find. Failing that I think I will take another look at the 5db USB stick which also accepts higher gain aerials.

Regards and thanks

[johnwill]

That one is probably very similar to the one I pointed out, and should provide similar results. I was thinking a big cheaper.

[sjb007]

Well I had a hunt around for the rosewill earlier but not much luck finding retailers in the uk. I think I will recommend the other one with higain, its still £10 cheaper that the range extender which I originally looked at so I know my friend will be pleased at the thought of saving a tenner!

Thanks and regards for all feedback

[sjb007]

Howdy all

I know its been a while but ide thought I would carry here on rather that start a new thread so we know where we are with things.

My friend purchased the Maplins adapter which has 4db gain. I have been round today to have a look and connected it successfully to the network but the signal was low (it was non existant before!) It will connect but suffers from disconnects regular. I have had a look around at adding a Higain antenna. I have found a hawkings aerial here in the UK which was mentioned in an earlier reply and at a place I order bits and pieces from regular which is good.

The only thing I am unsure about is connecting it. Is it just a case of unscrewing the old aerial and screwing the new one in, is there different size aerial fitting to watch for or is it standard. Its just that from the photos of the product I cannot see the physical connectors

The one I am looking to purchase is this one here - Hawking Technology Hi-Gain 2.4GHz Omni-Directional 7dBi Antenna

The adaptor it will be connecting to is this one here

Thanks

[johnwill]

I'd consider stepping up in gain, you're only looking at a 2dB gain with that antenna. I have one of these, works very well for weak signals: http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/...=58&ProdID=152

Yep, it's just unscrew the one and screw on the other one, the connectors should all be the reverse-SMA standards.

[sjb007]

Thanks John,

Your input is much appreciated. For some reason I was thinking the present adapter was 4db and not 5 which is why I was looking at the 7db aerial. I have just had a quick search again and as well as the one that you mentioned I have found this one which has 12db gain - Hawking Technology Hi-Gain 12dBi Directional Indoor Window Antenna

Is this mainly for the router end of things or can this be attached to the adaptor too