Solve : I need a stronger signal for my wifi what do I need??

1.	Solve : I need a stronger signal for my wifi what do I need??
Answer» Hi all I am in a KOA camp and thy have a crappy signal from there wifi, unless you get real close to the signal. What I want is to get the best wifi adapter (usb cheap) to pick up a stronger signal, so what should I get.........thanks...........two-dogs http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS369US309&q=wifi+repeater&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=Thanks Allen but what I want is I usb adapter not a repeater. I have a cradlelpoint 1000 can I use that to pick up a wifi signal? I don't think there's much you can do on your end other than inserting a repeater between you and the originating signal.So I can't use my MBR1000 to pick up a wifi signal?Sorry, I'm not familiar with that router and whether or not it will help you. Perhaps someone who is will be along soon.Quote from: two-dogs on September 23, 2010, 05:42:04 AM What I want is to get the best wifi adapter (usb cheap) to pick up a stronger signal Using a better USB adapter on the receiving end doesn't make the signal stronger- the signal will still be the same strength. The only way to change the strength of the signal would be to add more power on the receiving end. of course, that's not what you meant. You were probably referring to the "signal strength" meter. This doesn't so much measure signal strength as it does measure signal to noise ratio. The farther away from a radio source you are, the more interference you will pick up from other sources. Most solutions intended to "boost the signal" on the receiving end are either boosting the receiver power, which helps boost the signal in comparison to the noise, or adds something else that MAKES it easier to filter; for example, newer USB adapters combined with newer routers will use an extra band that is generally unused (and therefore contains less interference). However, all this in mind, what you are trying to do cannot be facilitated by simply buying a new adapter- ONE would need to construct a better antenna. (which, coincidentally may in fact require you to buy a new adapter that supports the use of an external antenna). the Wifi built into a laptop, for example, uses the LCD frame (usually) as the antenna, which works quite effectively. At longer distances and with more signal noise coming from other directions, however, other antenna varieties that essentially gather signals from only a specific direction may be more helpful. The reason this would require an different adapter is that very few built-in laptop WiFi adapters have the ability to use an external antenna are are "hard-wired" to use the laptop frame. (the situation may be different for Mini-PCI adapters, which probably do on fact support external antennae) There are quite a number of how-to's on the web for building your own antenna, here is one such example, which links to the how-to here.Thanks BC_Programmer for your input and I need to ask one more QUESTION. I wrote in my post that I have a MBR1000 Cradlepoint router, now will my router pick up the wifi signal from the camp site, or does it have that capability? I was looking to buy a Netgear WNDA 3100 rangemax wireless n network adapter but you are saying that I would just be wasting my money is that right.........thanks.......two-dogs I would talk with the KOA people, tell them your problem, and check out what kind of equipment and antenna is being used on their end. Maybe there is something they can do on their end, like a higher antenna. More and more RV parks are advertising WiFi as one of the advantages of staying there, and I'm sure they want it to work for all their guests.Quote from: two-dogs on September 23, 2010, 04:09:43 PM Thanks BC_Programmer for your input and I need to ask one more question. I wrote in my post that I have a MBR1000 Cradlepoint router, now will my router pick up the wifi signal from the camp site, or does it have that capability? I was looking to buy a Netgear WNDA 3100 rangemax wireless n network adapter but you are saying that I would just be wasting my money is that right.........thanks.......two-dogs Routers don't pick up signals or connect to other access points, they almost exclusively use a wired WAN connection. In fact, I cannot think of any that even allow for use as an repeater, which is exactly what you are asking for. A Client machine connects to an Access Point via Wifi. Wireless NICs can be placed in an Ad-Hoc mode and bridge a connection between a wireless network and a wired internet connected WAN, but they cannot, (as far as I know) be setup to be used as a router. Your question was wether a router can connect to the "wifi signal from the campsite". One assumes said signal is for people using laptops or whatever to connect to, which indicates that that signal is coming from an access point. The only reason one access point (your router) would ever need to connect to another (the campsite) is to be used as a repeater. Routers generally do not allow for this. In fact your question is essentially wether routers can use a wireless WAN connection rather then a wired one, but I don't believe this is possible. (that in and of itself sounds like some sort of routed repeater thing). rthompson posted while I was typing here; he's right on the money there. The solution isn't more expenditures and devices on your end, the problem is, at it's core, likely a result of insufficient antenna visibility-power from your location.Thanks guys, and about talking to the owners, they know there is a problem and will replace the wifi they have now with another provider in Feb. When I take my laptop closer to the signal it get a lot better that is I get more signal bars, and a speedtest proves it, that is why I thought I could use a wifi adapter to get a better signal. I have a IT buddy sending me a internal card that he said would be just what I will need to pick up a stronger signal, so we will see if he is right...............thanks for your time ............two-dogs Don't know if this is RESPONDING to the exact nature of your problem or your own suggested improvement. I just recently received and have tested (one test only so far) this hardware device. http://www.hfield.com/the-wi-fire/ Under previous existing conditions when i did not have this the maximum distance i could receive a usable signal from my antennae was about 40 line of sight feet (i had purchased an alleged enhanced transmitting antennae) which did marginally increase my reception range. Without changing any other factors i stepped out of my house with the Wi-Fire device connected and proceeded down my driveway (about 300 feet to the public road). I was able to get a usable signal that allowed web browsing at about 280 feet from my line of sight transmitting antennae. The only usable signal detected was my own transmitter. This is due to the fact that i live in the boonies and from my knowledge the nearest other transmitter (another private residence) that would be transmitting is close to 1/2 of a mile away. This hardly constitutes an extensive test. However given the known limitations of my own transmitter i am pleased with the result so far.truenorth

Answer»

Hi all I am in a KOA camp and thy have a crappy signal from there wifi, unless you get real close to the signal. What I want is to get the best wifi adapter (usb cheap) to pick up a stronger signal, so what should I get.........thanks...........two-dogs http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS369US309&q=wifi+repeater&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=Thanks Allen but what I want is I usb adapter not a repeater. I have a cradlelpoint 1000 can I use that to pick up a wifi signal? I don't think there's much you can do on your end other than inserting a repeater between you and the originating signal.So I can't use my MBR1000 to pick up a wifi signal?Sorry, I'm not familiar with that router and whether or not it will help you. Perhaps someone who is will be along soon.Quote from: two-dogs on September 23, 2010, 05:42:04 AM

What I want is to get the best wifi adapter (usb cheap) to pick up a stronger signal

Using a better USB adapter on the receiving end doesn't make the signal stronger- the signal will still be the same strength. The only way to change the strength of the signal would be to add more power on the receiving end.

of course, that's not what you meant. You were probably referring to the "signal strength" meter. This doesn't so much measure signal strength as it does measure signal to noise ratio. The farther away from a radio source you are, the more interference you will pick up from other sources. Most solutions intended to "boost the signal" on the receiving end are either boosting the receiver power, which helps boost the signal in comparison to the noise, or adds something else that MAKES it easier to filter; for example, newer USB adapters combined with newer routers will use an extra band that is generally unused (and therefore contains less interference).

However, all this in mind, what you are trying to do cannot be facilitated by simply buying a new adapter- ONE would need to construct a better antenna. (which, coincidentally may in fact require you to buy a new adapter that supports the use of an external antenna). the Wifi built into a laptop, for example, uses the LCD frame (usually) as the antenna, which works quite effectively. At longer distances and with more signal noise coming from other directions, however, other antenna varieties that essentially gather signals from only a specific direction may be more helpful. The reason this would require an different adapter is that very few built-in laptop WiFi adapters have the ability to use an external antenna are are "hard-wired" to use the laptop frame. (the situation may be different for Mini-PCI adapters, which probably do on fact support external antennae) There are quite a number of how-to's on the web for building your own antenna, here is one such example, which links to the how-to here.Thanks BC_Programmer for your input and I need to ask one more QUESTION. I wrote in my post that I have a MBR1000 Cradlepoint router, now will my router pick up the wifi signal from the camp site, or does it have that capability? I was looking to buy a Netgear WNDA 3100 rangemax wireless n network adapter but you are saying that I would just be wasting my money is that right.........thanks.......two-dogs I would talk with the KOA people, tell them your problem, and check out what kind of equipment and antenna is being used on their end. Maybe there is something they can do on their end, like a higher antenna. More and more RV parks are advertising WiFi as one of the advantages of staying there, and I'm sure they want it to work for all their guests.Quote from: two-dogs on September 23, 2010, 04:09:43 PM

Thanks BC_Programmer for your input and I need to ask one more question. I wrote in my post that I have a MBR1000 Cradlepoint router, now will my router pick up the wifi signal from the camp site, or does it have that capability? I was looking to buy a Netgear WNDA 3100 rangemax wireless n network adapter but you are saying that I would just be wasting my money is that right.........thanks.......two-dogs

Routers don't pick up signals or connect to other access points, they almost exclusively use a wired WAN connection. In fact, I cannot think of any that even allow for use as an repeater, which is exactly what you are asking for.

A Client machine connects to an Access Point via Wifi. Wireless NICs can be placed in an Ad-Hoc mode and bridge a connection between a wireless network and a wired internet connected WAN, but they cannot, (as far as I know) be setup to be used as a router.

Your question was wether a router can connect to the "wifi signal from the campsite". One assumes said signal is for people using laptops or whatever to connect to, which indicates that that signal is coming from an access point. The only reason one access point (your router) would ever need to connect to another (the campsite) is to be used as a repeater. Routers generally do not allow for this. In fact your question is essentially wether routers can use a wireless WAN connection rather then a wired one, but I don't believe this is possible. (that in and of itself sounds like some sort of routed repeater thing).

rthompson posted while I was typing here; he's right on the money there. The solution isn't more expenditures and devices on your end, the problem is, at it's core, likely a result of insufficient antenna visibility-power from your location.Thanks guys, and about talking to the owners, they know there is a problem and will replace the wifi they have now with another provider in Feb. When I take my laptop closer to the signal it get a lot better that is I get more signal bars, and a speedtest proves it, that is why I thought I could use a wifi adapter to get a better signal. I have a IT buddy sending me a internal card that he said would be just what I will need to pick up a stronger signal, so we will see if he is right...............thanks for your time ............two-dogs Don't know if this is RESPONDING to the exact nature of your problem or your own suggested improvement. I just recently received and have tested (one test only so far) this hardware device. http://www.hfield.com/the-wi-fire/
Under previous existing conditions when i did not have this the maximum distance i could receive a usable signal from my antennae was about 40 line of sight feet (i had purchased an alleged enhanced transmitting antennae) which did marginally increase my reception range. Without changing any other factors i stepped out of my house with the Wi-Fire device connected and proceeded down my driveway (about 300 feet to the public road). I was able to get a usable signal that allowed web browsing at about 280 feet from my line of sight transmitting antennae. The only usable signal detected was my own transmitter. This is due to the fact that i live in the boonies and from my knowledge the nearest other transmitter (another private residence) that would be transmitting is close to 1/2 of a mile away. This hardly constitutes an extensive test. However given the known limitations of my own transmitter i am pleased with the result so far.truenorth

Solve : I need a stronger signal for my wifi what do I need??

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