external aerial question

farenheit · 11-13-2005, 02:39 PM

Right, I have a laptop with build in wireless, but the signal strength from where I pick it up is kind of weak, and I was wondering is there a way of getting an external higher gain aerial for the wireless, such as a USB one? Cos the only ones I have seen are the ones that have the round metal connection and go into the pCI cards. Thanks.

**Terrister** · 11-13-2005, 05:27 PM

You have a several options here.

You did not say what kind of router you have. Some have better range than others. Also some can use external antennas to extend their range. Also try moving it and see if your signal improves.

Internal wireless cards do not accept external antennas. If you get another card, get a pcmcia card. They pick up better than usb cards. Some accept external antennas also.

Third option is something called a wireless range extender. It boost the signal so it can be picked up further.

**johnwill** · 11-16-2005, 03:06 PM

Why not add a hi-gain antenna to the source of the WiFi signal, it'll accomplish the same thing, and it's probably a lot easier to attach...

11-13-2005, 02:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
farenheit Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 6 OS: XP Pro	external aerial question Right, I have a laptop with build in wireless, but the signal strength from where I pick it up is kind of weak, and I was wondering is there a way of getting an external higher gain aerial for the wireless, such as a USB one? Cos the only ones I have seen are the ones that have the round metal connection and go into the pCI cards. Thanks.

11-13-2005, 05:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	You have a several options here. You did not say what kind of router you have. Some have better range than others. Also some can use external antennas to extend their range. Also try moving it and see if your signal improves. Internal wireless cards do not accept external antennas. If you get another card, get a pcmcia card. They pick up better than usb cards. Some accept external antennas also. Third option is something called a wireless range extender. It boost the signal so it can be picked up further. __________________

11-16-2005, 03:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,748 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Why not add a hi-gain antenna to the source of the WiFi signal, it'll accomplish the same thing, and it's probably a lot easier to attach... __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience