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09-12-2011, 09:47 AM
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#1 | | Where's my RS Christmas Lobster?!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 817
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| Most straight forward way to expand network range
What's the easiest way to increase a network's range? It just so happens that my computer is in the area of my house where the WiFi signals drop, so my internet speed and connection is unstable, but I can't move the router anywhere else either. I do get signal, but it's weak and sometimes internet is slow. The router is on the main floor north east corner of a 2 floor 1 basement 2500 sqft house, and my computer is on the upper floor south west corner. Currently using WRT54G.
I would have went out and just bought a new N router thinking that would solve the problem. But after reading articles on smallnetbuilder, it seems like N router doesn't increase the network range at all.
I'm comfortable with software settings as long as there is straight forward instructions to follow, but anything beyond that I have no clue about because I'm not very familiar with networking.
There isn't really a budget either, as long as the new setup is stable and provides consistent connection.
I've read a little bit on smallnetbuilder, particularly on wireless repeater/bridge(?), but I'm not sure I totally understand how it works, and I think it also cuts your internet speed in half?
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09-12-2011, 10:44 AM
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#2 | | nuggets mod
Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: richmond
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I think you can buy upgraded antennas that should extend your range a bit
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09-12-2011, 11:01 AM
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#3 | | My bookmarks are Reddit and REVscene, in that order
Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver
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09-12-2011, 11:01 AM
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#4 | | 14 dolla balla aint got nothing on me!
Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: BC
Posts: 644
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throw your WRT54G away and upgrade to a new router plus remove your cordless phone in your room if you got one or the one in the room where your router is
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09-12-2011, 11:02 AM
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#5 | | Rs has made me the man i am today!
Join Date: May 2002 Location: Surrey
Posts: 3,236
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Upgrade to the latest N router since the new ones have way better range. That should solve your problem
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09-12-2011, 02:42 PM
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#6 | | My bookmarks are Reddit and REVscene, in that order
Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 4,442
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I'm using a WRT54GL with the DDWRT firmware.
Can somebody give me a quick argument on why I should upgrade to a new router?
- I don't have signal loss issues, I only need it for smartphones and laptops in my basement. Full bars all the time.
- I don't get lag when gaming
- I'm on Shaw's Broadband 50 and I think I can saturate the line?
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09-12-2011, 02:47 PM
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#7 | | Media Officer / MOD
Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: vancouver
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best way believe it or not is to run cat 5/6 thru out
i had connection issues before and then i got then larger antenna by d-link did a couple of diy but it was no use I now use a dir-655 and have cat 5 to the furthest room.
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09-12-2011, 03:43 PM
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#8 | | Rs has made me the woman i am today!
Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Here! n There!
Posts: 4,149
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How about increasing power of wifi in the router? I have mine set to medium... Posted via RS Mobile | |
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09-12-2011, 04:58 PM
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#9 | | I STILL don't get it
Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 468
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09-12-2011, 07:34 PM
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#10 | | I Will not Admit my Addiction to RS
Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 511
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by Culverin  I'm using a WRT54GL with the DDWRT firmware.
Can somebody give me a quick argument on why I should upgrade to a new router?
- I don't have signal loss issues, I only need it for smartphones and laptops in my basement. Full bars all the time.
- I don't get lag when gaming
- I'm on Shaw's Broadband 50 and I think I can saturate the line? | I was in the same boat. I had a WRT54GL and upgraded to a WNR3500L on a whim. The price was right for a router with N, gigabit LAN and guaranteed to run DD-WRT.
The newer routers are faster than the outdated WRT54GL. It's not just the wifi speed, but the CPU is faster and the router has more ram, which does make a difference in transfer speeds.
The switch doubled my download speeds from the net on wifi and LAN.
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09-12-2011, 08:58 PM
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#11 | | RS.net, where our google ads make absolutely no sense!
Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Vancouver
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by Culverin | Did this many many years ago.
In my old apartment, my wifi router (also WRT54G) was one room over from my PS3, literally only one wall separating the wifi router and the PS3 and maybe 25 ft.
My ps3 was constantly at 0-1 bar and I couldnt do crap all anywhere outside of the room that had the router...not to mention major issues with any online gameing on the ps3.
Made two of these for the router and my PS3 never had less than full bars and never had any issues whatsoever with my online gaming ever again.
Cheapeast (possibly one of the ugliest) ways to significantly increase your range.
Try it...i'm sure it will work!
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09-12-2011, 11:00 PM
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#12 | | My homepage has been set to RS
Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Van
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Do the tin foil, point it towards your computer, and let us know if it works.
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09-12-2011, 11:09 PM
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#13 | | Where's my RS Christmas Lobster?!
Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 892
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I found that going to "N" gave me a far bigger improvement than any antenna or tin foil. I am very happy I upgraded to N. N routers start at $40.
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09-13-2011, 02:03 AM
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#14 | | I only answer to my username, my real name is Irrelevant!
Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: CELICAland
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buy a long cat5 and move your router to the middle of the house  so you can cover the house (so your desktop can stay wired)
or turn off move away any 2.5ghz wireless items you may have (cordless phone, wireless headphones) nearby as well as microwaves 
my wireless headphones get in the way of my wifi and if the microwaves running it'll cut my wifi if i happen to be in its field
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09-13-2011, 07:27 AM
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#15 | | Glorious Gaming PC Master Race
Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Coquitlam y0!
Posts: 21,240
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does your laptop even have a wireless N capable wifi card? a wireless N router won't do shit if your laptop is wireless B or G.
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09-13-2011, 09:47 AM
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#16 | | nuggets mod
Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: richmond
Posts: 7,071
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what are the recommended cheaper N routers these days?
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