I need some help with extending an wireless range. Here's my scenario: I did read some about solutions, reviews and all, but some input from someone with some personal experience would be helpful. The equipment that I already have is a wireless DSL, connected to the internet modem and a Wireless D-link N router. After some research, I found there are quite a few options, however, not sure which would work best. 1.Buying another router that can act as a repeater?,a bridge?, and maybe put new booster antennas on the routers or use wifi amplifiers? 2. Here's a gadget that claims to work up to 3 miles, @25Mbps: http://www.wirelessnetworkproducts.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1894 3. Here's another gadget that from what they claim, it would do the job- it should reach up to 1000feet. https://store.hfield.com/Wi_fire_p/hfwfg10.htm However, I don't have a clear line of site between point A and C, that's why I did not put them in a straight line in the picture. I also read about an yagi antenna? I could use any suggestions, maybe someone already has setup. The budget is "kinda" limited, ~$200. Point B could be indoor or outdoor. Thanks.
Just try building a few cantennas.. cheap and easy to experiment with. Your range isn't too bad.. what you have to watch out for is radiating above the maximum permitted (50mw relative) http://www.h-online.com/features/Build-a-Wi-Fi-radio-relay-using-household-materials--/110278/0 your budget is more than enough BTW.. they don't explain waveguides very well.. doubling the length of the tube will narrow the beamwidth by about 18% .. that also lengthens the "rugby ball" by something like 25% .. think squeezing an egg shape across the narrow axis. .. up to 8x is practical .. but longer than that and you will run into end (mouth) reflections setting up standing waves in the tube and sucking up the power. Waveguide techniques are fascinating.. I don't know why people don't read some of the proper rf and microwave engineering books.. a waveguide doesn't need to be round XD We have done line of sight 16 (or thereabouts) miles.. with no more than some cans and some wire and a couple of bt homehubs (ashton to winter hill)
@Varnull That sounds actually interesting, and fun at the same time... Like I mentioned, I do not have a direct line of sight between point A and C(trees/one building),but I do have it between A and B and B and C; so could the signal be focused into one antenna in point B and then sent to point C? Or how would that work? Also, I have a buddy of mine that installs DirectTV, so he has a bunch of old dishes laying around that could probably be used. Thanks. Here's another one that I found: http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/how-to-build-a-wifi-biquad-dish-antenna/
You can just buy an access point but make sure it has a repeater function because some do and some don't then put it in repeater mode and configure it and you should be able to boost your signal.
Well, after reading Varnull's suggestion, I decided I'll build one of these: http://www.h-online.com/features/Build-a-Wi-Fi-radio-relay-using-household-materials--/110278/5 or these: http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/how-to-build-a-wifi-biquad-dish-antenna/2#comments since I already have a couple dishes. and place then on point B. Another alternative that looks pretty good is this: http://www.usbwifi.orconhosting.net.nz/ Then I will probably get a router that can also work as a repeater, like one that supports DD-WRT firmware. http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/02/how-to-cheap-wireless-for-your-xbox-360/ What I am unsure is how I will be connecting the antenna(coax) to the router/repeater in point B.
In and out will both work the same way. I think you can use a pair of cans connected to the same feed pointing in wither direction.. also some repeaters have an auxiliary antenna connection.. often stashed away inside.. which some people in duff signal areas use for diversity reception. I think checking router specs carefully will show that you can often use the connection to the stub for one and the socket for the other.. That simplifies things somewhat though you might need to connect directly to the feed end of the stub and cut the connection to it there.
I was going to recommend you the obvious stuff, like single directional antennae, over the stock omni directional ones. I'd doubt that that would do any good, as the range is so high already. For also a small improvement, the simple firmware upgrades, (OS upgrades) to the router may help? I've seen this happen on a WRT54G (such a common router), as I also own a retarded nephew of the WRT54G, the WRT54GX2 (SUCKS BALLS!!). (NO OVERCLOCK, I don't think the firmware is UPGRADEABLE). However, as the power increase, heat increases, and overall life decreases... Should work with a more common router... yours is, right? Hope this increases a few feet =D...
I've been reading and printing stuff for hours, I need to go get some beer, my brain is fried... The antenna that you suggested, or the one with the dish- would they work by just boosting the signal received, or also be used to boost the signal being broadcast? The tin can ones would probably be nicer, "lower profile".
In point C I have a D-Link Dir-615, which I am not sure if it can be tweaked or not. However, I will have to buy another router/access point or something for the computer in point B.
