Need to boost power 1

[GlenJohnson]

I just installed an SMC wireless router at home. Everything is fine except when I sit down on my couch, I loose my signal. I can't move the router closer because I have a broad band modem plugged into my router and my router plugged into my pc, so I can get on the internet with my laptop and no wires. Does anybody know of a way to boost the signal. I couldn't find anything on SMC's web site, and they haven't responded to my e-mail. Anybody heard of anything of this nature? Thanks. Glen A. Johnson
Microsoft Certified Professional
gjohn76351@msn.com
"Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do.
Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do."
Mark Twain (1835-1910); US writer.

 

[jimbopalmer]

Most 802.11b cards assume battery power, so they keep power output low. (you are in theory allowed 1 amp of output power but I have not heard anyone with more than 500mA output, the very nice Symbol cards) Cisco 350 cards allow you to set the output level 35mA to 100mA as I recall off the top of my head.

Even with a set level of power, larger, more focused antennas help send a signal farther, I find 6 inch omni's to be much stronger than 4 inch omni's (as the antenna improves reception as well as transmission, it is possible to improve the base station and get more range) I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[daronwilson]

As far as boosting the signal, there are two way amplifiers available for the 2.4 Ghz band equipment. However, your situation sounds like you could easily solve things with antennas or antenna placement.

There are limits on the power output as posed above, however the unit of measurement is the watt. If there is a power choice for your radio, make sure it is set for the highest output possible. The cisco series radios have 100 milliwatt output and can be adjusted down. I have no idea what the distance is between your radio and the couch, but a good omni directional antenna and some high quality antenna feedline could increas the range everywhere quite well. If it is just marginal, it is probably cheaper to make longer ethernet cables for the router and get it up a little higher and maybe in a better spot.

As for antennas, size does matter. Besides the increase in gain (which is electrically focusing the signal, more where you need it), the sheer amount of antenna availble to capture the signal out of the air makes a difference as well. Keep in mind you can have too much gain. When you get more gain in one direction, you always lose gain in another. There is no free lunch. So, depending on where you want to cover, you should give some thought to the antenna choice.

Good Luck! It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com

 

[GlenJohnson]

Thanks. I think I've figured out my problem and don't know if there's a solution other than moving the router to the first floor. The only spot in my house where I have problems with my SMC router is my back porch. This used to be an exterior porch that I enclosed with sliding glass doors. Although it's a four season porch, the signal is still trying to go through the roofing shingles. My signal is good in that room until I sit down on my couch and set the wireless laptop on the coffee table. If I keep the laptop up around 5 feet, my signal is good. Thinking about cabling the router just below my office on the first floor to solve the problem. (Small SMC wireless router.) Glen A. Johnson
Microsoft Certified Professional
glen.johnson@insightbb.com
"Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do.
Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do."
Mark Twain (1835-1910); US writer.

 

[jimbopalmer]

Sorry about the mAmp to mWatt error, I should dig out the manuals, I swear....

every erroneous use of mA should be mW. I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[Guest_imported]

Hi all,

I am also having problems with signal strengthw but with a netgear mr314 router. Some antennas have been suggested in this thread, where would I go to find these type of antennas and how could they fit with the netgear router?

Thanks,
Richard

 

[jimbopalmer]

I read all of Netgear's PDFs on the mr314, there is no hint the antenna is not fixed in place on that model. I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[vdmboy]

Regarding signal strength: I have numerous AP's in my LAN - 2 Cisco (Aironet) AP4800's (100Mw), 1 Cisco AP340 (30Mw), and one Cisco AP350 (100Mw). The building is three stories, heavy metal construction in the walls (lots of glass). The 2.4Ghz signals travel vertically very well, but not well at all horizontally. There is a little coverage crossover, but I find that putting the AP's in a basement or in the attic provides the best coverage. If you can raise the AP's they seem to provide "umbrella" type coverage.

(This also should be considered if you have others in the building above or below you)

Also, I am not sure about other PCMCIA radios, but the older Aironet AP4800 Turbo models are 100Mw, and the other cisco Pcmcia radios (340's) are only 30Mw maximum power. You may still be able to find the Turbo models on Ebay, but I'm pretty sure they only support WEP 40.

 

[Guest_imported]

I have a Linksys router and pcmcia laptop card. After only moving the 45 feet to my room, the signal degrades to almost nothing. How would I go about attaching these antennas, and where can I purchase these sorts of things from? I'm quite inept at this, and I appreciate the help.

Thanks,

- Vince

 

[daronwilson]

I'd be very curious what your setup was, and which antennas you selected from Hyperlink. Maybe if you can give us an idea of the antenna and feedlines you got we can steer you the right way. I have installed several of the hyperlink products, and they are as good a quality as similar vendors. Many times it isnt as easy as sticking a 25' piece of feedline on and stuffing an patch antenna in the attic. Antenna beamwidth is always an issue in designing a system, and it does take some planning. I've built several antennas as well, and using a signal strength program checked the gain with them and the hyperlink, they work.

It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com

 

[Mooseman99]

I have a Netgear MR314 and have it installed in the basement. Coverage was mediocre so I made up an extension cable for the antenna, which is detachable. The MR314 uses special reverse polarity SMA connectors and I had to special order them from an online supplier. Used RG58U cable (apprx. 10ft) and put the antenna high inside a closet in the middle of the house. Coverage improved greatly that I can go into the garage with the laptop.

The MR314 uses a 5db antenna, one of the better ones that come with routers.

http://www.frars.co.uk

has plans for building antennas and modifying cards.

 

[saldorus]

Mooseman99 --- I'm looking to do exactly what you describe. What materials did you use? Beyond the RG58U, was there a special connector you needed to like with the MR314? What antenna did you use?

I tried going to the link you provided but it appears to not work.

Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated

 

[saldorus]

Ahhh, sorry about being a little slow, but I think I understand the process now. You took the antenna off the back of the MR314, and used that same antenna on the end of the RG58U cable extension. Are theses the connectors you used: (female on one end and male on the other?)

http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/connectors/connectors_rp_sma.html

 

[operative]

Has anyone found some sources for the connectors used on the Netgear wireless routers (such as the MR814 or MR314)? ... and what do they cost?

Thanks!

 

[Bobg1]

http://www.frars.org.uk

updated address for FRARS

 

[littleray]

Why settle for less. Cisco's product has so much more fun feature...

Best 2.4GhZ Access point you can have with Cisco famous IOS.

AIR-AP1120B-A-K9 802.11b AP, Single MPCI Radio, Int Ant, FCC Cnfg HK$4,672.00
AIR-AP1230B-A-K9 802.11b IOS AP w/Avail CBus Slot, FCC Cnfg HK$7,012.00

1 HK Dollar to around 7 US dollar.

Oh, you guys mention before about power setting. Please bare in mind that some power setting is illegal in some country. In Japan Access point can not get above 30mW. In Europe Access point can not get above 50mW, Israel 50mW. US max of 100mW.
Japan Wireless Bridge can not over 5mW


Just in case you are interested in 5Ghz 802.11a.
US allows 40mW.
Sinapore only allows 20mW.


little ray

 

[bygeek]

You might try D-link's Range Extender for 802.11b. Model # DWL-800AP+.

Of all the things I've ever lost, I miss my mind the most......