Boosting WiFi reception on laptop..

lendaddy · 12-12-2009, 03:25 PM

Do those usb antenna deals work? My office is on the forth floor and the WiFi doesn't always work up there. Are these things a scam or what? No I'm not looking to steal a signal, I just need a bit more range and I have no access/authority to mess with the front end (router). Thanks.

Units like these.. Keenan Systems Wireless Store Featuring Engenius

BeyGon · 12-12-2009, 04:09 PM

If we are talking abot the same thing I signed up with ATT and got the connector free, but pay $60 a month and usage is unlimited, almost. We got reception all over using it the last couple months. Here Verison, ATT, and the other one, are all the same price.

lendaddy · 12-12-2009, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeyGon

If we are talking abot the same thing I signed up with ATT and got the connector free, but pay $60 a month and usage is unlimited, almost. We got reception all over using it the last couple months. Here Verison, ATT, and the other one, are all the same price.

No, what you're talking about is a cellular data plan, these devices go in a USB port and boost the antenna reception of the internal WiFi card(supposedly) for better access to free hotspots and other WiFi networks.

stomachmonkey · 05:29 PM

Yes they can work. Antenna placement in laptops is tricky. Usually it's a wire running in the screen bezel. Some manufacturers do a better job than others. Could also be the card inside the laptop. Regardless, just like any other antennae based communication placement can make a big difference.
Even something as simple as swiveling an antennae can make a big diff depending on where the sending unit and receiving units are in relation to each other.

If you know where the nearest access point is you may want to opt for a high gain directional and "point" it right at it.

http://www.connect802.com/antennas.htm

google Pringles Antennae. Make our own directional for under $15.

http://www.oreillynet.com/cs/weblog/view/wlg/448

Disclaimer: Making your own antennae is kinda not legal.

lendaddy · 12-12-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Yes they can work. Antenna placement in laptops is tricky. Usually it's a wire running in the screen bezel. Some manufacturers do a better job than others. Could also be the card inside the laptop. Regardless, just like any other antennae based communication placement can make a big difference.
Even something as simple as swiveling an antennae can make a big diff depending on where the sending unit and receiving units are in relation to each other.

So how do these USB things actually get connection to the antenna? Is it just a matter of making the case a receptor?

HardDrive · 12-12-2009, 05:30 PM

stomachmonkey · 12-12-2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lendaddy

So how do these USB things actually get connection to the antenna? Is it just a matter of making the case a receptor?

The WIFI card inside your laptop can get it's signal via the USB bus in the laptop.

lendaddy · 12-12-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

The WIFI card inside your laptop can get it's signal via the USB bus in the laptop.

Is this as setting change? Rather than internal antenna, acquire signal via USB bus?

stomachmonkey · 12-12-2009, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lendaddy

Is this as setting change? Rather than internal antenna, acquire signal via USB bus?

Honestly I think most of those external USB solutions are going to have a WIFI card built into them so the card in your laptop won't be used anyway.

Really depends on what you have and what you get.

NineOhOne · 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Disclaimer: Making your own antennae is kinda not legal.

Bzzzt....false.

[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 1, Parts 0 to 19]
[Revised as of October 1, 2000]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR15.23]

[Page 682]

TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION

CHAPTER I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

PART 15--RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES--Table of Contents

Subpart A--General

Sec. 15.23 Home-built devices.

(a) Equipment authorization is not required for devices that are not
marketed, are not constructed from a kit, and are built in quantities of
five or less for personal use.
(b) It is recognized that the individual builder of home-built
equipment may not possess the means to perform the measurements for
determining compliance with the regulations. In this case, the builder
is expected to employ good engineering practices to meet the specified
technical standards to the greatest extent practicable. The provisions
of Sec. 15.5 apply to this equipment.

NineOhOne · 12-12-2009, 07:07 PM

The extenders work, however the "problem" may not be on your side, but the router side. Your laptop card may be able to pick up a weak signal, but it can't make the transmitted signal stronger.

stomachmonkey · 12-12-2009, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NineOhOne

Bzzzt....false.

[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 1, Parts 0 to 19]
[Revised as of October 1, 2000]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR15.23]

[Page 682]

TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION

CHAPTER I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

PART 15--RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES--Table of Contents

Subpart A--General

Sec. 15.23 Home-built devices.

(a) Equipment authorization is not required for devices that are not
marketed, are not constructed from a kit, and are built in quantities of
five or less for personal use.
(b) It is recognized that the individual builder of home-built
equipment may not possess the means to perform the measurements for
determining compliance with the regulations. In this case, the builder
is expected to employ good engineering practices to meet the specified
technical standards to the greatest extent practicable. The provisions
of Sec. 15.5 apply to this equipment.

Like most govt regulations what appears clear is not always so.

As it was explained to me the issue with the cantenna's is replacing your routers/wifi cards OEM antennae with your homebrew.

The router/wifi card is FCC certified for use with specific antennas and replacing with a cantenna modifies it in a way that negates the certification, that's what is not legal.

So yes you can build them and posses them but how you use them is questionable.

Even if true you'd need to get caught. You probably have better odds of winning Lotto.

I'm not a lawyer and don't play one on TV nor did I stay in a Holiday Inn.

NineOhOne · 12-12-2009, 08:02 PM

Yeah, you're probably right.

Gotta go take that coat-hanger antenna off the TV in the guest room and remove the aluminum foil ball off the boom-box in the garage before the airwave police show up!

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Yes they can work. Antenna placement in laptops is tricky. Usually it's a wire running in the screen bezel. Some manufacturers do a better job than others. Could also be the card inside the laptop. Regardless, just like any other antennae based communication placement can make a big difference.
Even something as simple as swiveling an antennae can make a big diff depending on where the sending unit and receiving units are in relation to each other.

If you know where the nearest access point is you may want to opt for a high gain directional and "point" it right at it.

Understanding 802.11 Antennas - An On-Line Tutorial

google Pringles Antennae. Make our own directional for under $15.

Antenna on the Cheap (er, Chip)

Disclaimer: Making your own antennae is kinda not legal.

What do you mean, making an antenna is not legal? I've made dozen of antennas, some were run as much as 150 watts.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

A few things you can do.

Linksys makes an extender, which is really nothing more than a relay. You install it 1/2 way between your router and where you plan to have the PC.

The beauty of these things is that they can either sit on a surface with a cord, or they can have prongs on the body and just hang from the outlet.

http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/RangeExpanders

I have wiring throughout the house. I installed a second wireless router near to my computer, but disabled the routing function so it acts as an Access Point only. Both Wireless connections have the same SSID and Key.

NineOhOne · 12-13-2009, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-beard

What do you mean, making an antenna is not legal? I've made dozen of antennas, some were run as much as 150 watts.

Didn't you hear? The guy that's married to my friends brother's wife heard about a guy on the Internet whose cousin was busted by the FCC for making a WiFi antenna out of a Pringles can.