BB extra antenna help please.

[4bee]

Not such a big problem as the post below, but I have a Dell Vostro 1510 laptop + an Acer/emachines eM250 both on a common wireless modem.
The 250 is closer to the modem than the Dell which is in another room & signal strength is "54Mbps/Good" & the Dell drops as low as "11.0Mbps/Low" in its normal location. This appears to lead to Server Timeouts (not surprising really).
Both have the usual inbuilt antennas & nothing external.

Qu: Can anyone suggest a suitable external USB antenna that will give me a better connection from the wireless Modem for the Dell to give me an edge?

Placing the Dell closer increases the Signal strength to "24Mbps/Very Good. but it is impractical to leave it there.

Maybe there are other things I can do, but I really don't know.

XP/Firefox/Thunderbird

Thank you.

[DiscoCam]

Hi 4bee

If you want to go to an external USB modem for the Dell it will be easiest to stick with the same brand as your wireless router/modem.

What sort of distance from the router/modem are we talking and what kind of walls are in between?

Discocam

[dale]

Also you could try adding a bigger aerial to you wireless router.

A cheap thing to try is to build a windsurfer you add it to the antenna and it boosts signal strength of the antenna.

here are a couple of tutorials and a link to the template as it is now gone:

Free WiFi for all: Antenna Booster : WindSurfer (http://airfart.blogspot.com/2008/03/antenna-booster-windsurfer.html)
How to Build a WIFI Antenna | eHow.com (http://www.ehow.com/how_4684595_build-wifi-antenna.html)
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/2696/windsurferlw5.jpg

[4bee]

What sort of distance from the router/modem are we talking and what kind of walls are in between?Apx. 50', two walls with doorways. ATM it's 11Mbps/low

[richard4u2]

that windsurfer i cant see that working because the distance from the antenna is not equal all round , to my mind the idea is to deflect the signel onto the antenna so you would have to work out the distance from the foil to the antenna so it deflects the signal at right angle to hit the antenna , like the way you defect light with a mirror ???

[Basil135]

You might need to upgrade the modem / router.

Is it running B / g or N?

[DiscoCam]

Upgrading to wireless N will definately help. I'm about the same distance through 2 walls and am averaging 150mps without being bothered to fiddle and point things in the right direction etc. Cheapest & simplest option is to just buy the same brand usb adapter as your router/modem.

Cheers

Discocam

[4bee]

Thanks for the replies all.

I have been offered an IEEE 802.11 b/g external antenna with usb/bluetooth usb adapter by a friend. This one: http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/high-power-wi-fi-bluetooth-adaptor-5dbi-antenna/ NB. Not using Bluetooth on anything.

What is the difference between that & a IEEE 802.11n ? Would it still work ok? Open 300Mbps Wireless 802.11N(b and g compatible) USB 2.0 Adaptor Windows Vista 64 Compatible - Adaptors & Accessories-Networking - TopBuy.com.au (http://www.topbuy.com.au/tbcart/pc/Open-300Mbps-Wireless-802-11N-b-and-g-compatible-USB-2-0-Adaptor-Windows-Vista-64-Compatible-p22289.htm?utm_source=getprice&utm_medium=cpc)

The antenna type is not handy to trial.

Is there anything in my existing Open Wireless Router that may/can be/need adjusting that is causing this? It is an I Connect Open 625W router. 54 Mbps 802.11G Wireless

Thanks

[stevo68]

Thanks for the replies all.

I have been offered an IEEE 802.11 b/g external antenna with usb/bluetooth usb adapter by a friend. This one: High Power Wi-Fi and Bluetooth adaptor with 5dBi Antenna - Laptop Accessories - DealsDirect.com.au Australia (http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/high-power-wi-fi-bluetooth-adaptor-5dbi-antenna/) NB. Not using Bluetooth on anything.

What is the difference between that & a IEEE 802.11n ? Would it still work ok? Open 300Mbps Wireless 802.11N(b and g compatible) USB 2.0 Adaptor Windows Vista 64 Compatible - Adaptors & Accessories-Networking - TopBuy.com.au (http://www.topbuy.com.au/tbcart/pc/Open-300Mbps-Wireless-802-11N-b-and-g-compatible-USB-2-0-Adaptor-Windows-Vista-64-Compatible-p22289.htm?utm_source=getprice&utm_medium=cpc)

The antenna type is not handy to trial.

Is there anything in my existing Open Wireless Router that may/can be/need adjusting that is causing this? It is an I Connect Open 625W router. 54 Mbps 802.11G Wireless

Thanks Be interested to know how the antenna goes. We are still going through all the options atm. Of interest/ note is that on my old work lappy I have a telstra NExt G turbo card. I just got a brand new work lappy/ windows 7 and the SIM goes in the lappy ( everything is inbuilt)....no USB/ Card and it works 20 times better than the old lappy with Turbo card. Even work lappy is fine to use at home,

Regards

Stevo

[4bee]

Will do, depending which way I jump after the advice from here works/doesn't work:D

[DiscoCam]

Hi 4bee

The IEEE 802.11n won't necessarily be much better as you are still transmitting in 802.11g although I think wifi technology has improved a lot in the last couple of years so if your laptop is older than say 2 years this might be all you need to get a better signal & it will still be usable should you upgrade your router to 'N' in the future.

The High Power Wi-Fi and Bluetooth adaptor with 5dBi Antenna - Laptop Accessories - DealsDirect.com.au Australia (http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/high-power-wi-fi-bluetooth-adaptor-5dbi-antenna/) will definitely improve what you've got for now but is no good for the future.

Or fo the DIY option:How to create cheap WiFi antennas for better reception | Video « Wonder How To (http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-create-cheap-wifi-antennas-better-reception-278071/)

Cheers

Cameron

[mike_ie]

You could pick up a wireless repeater on ebay. Same principle as a radio repeater - it will relay data back and forth between computers too far away from the wireless router to communicate directly.

[4bee]

Cameron/mike_ie, the Dell VOSTRO 1501 is just 14 months old & if I can improve the range/sensitivity a little, I suspect it will be ok.
Anything is worth a try I guess.

So, basically is my problem the 1501 is in n & the router is g? But then, so would the Notebook be in n, but it is closer to the Router..

Thank you.

[p38arover]

I have an indoor wireless booster connected between the router antenna socket and the antenna.

It's similar to this: http://www.allwan.fr/WIFI/C-WBT200.pdf

[4bee]

Thanks Ron. Where would one purchase one of those in OZ, pray tell?

[4bee]

UPDATE

I fitted the High Power Wi-Fi and Bluetooth adaptor with 5dBi Antenna - Laptop Accessories - DealsDirect.com.au Australia (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/High%20Power%20Wi-Fi%20and%20Bluetooth%20adaptor%20with%205dBi%20Ant enna%20-%20Laptop%20Accessories%20-%20DealsDirect.com.au%20Australia)

& now have 54.0Mbps & Very Good to Excellent signal. It seems the Wireless Modem is only capable of putting out 54Mbps anyway so it's maxxed for now.

Problem has been for the last 2.5 days, Telstra have had a damaged cable in the area/exchange & it's only just come back on so no Phone or BB.:mad: