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Boost your Wifi Range Cheap!! Reposted here. Original can be found here (Boost your wi-fi range. Cheap!).
I've noticed that there's quite a few people here using wi-fi networks. I know how frustrating it is when there's only that 2 square feet of space in the corner of your last room where you get a decent reception.
I have a similar setup. My PC (and all associated hardware including my modem and wifi router) are in the north corner of the house. The main reason I installed wifi was so that my dad could access the internet in his bedroom, which is in the south corner of the house. In between the router and the laptop in question is a distance of about 50 feet, puctuated by four foot thick bricks walls, and the main fusebox for the floor. So, by the time the signal got to the bedroom, the interference was so much that I could barely get a signal of 5% at the door, and absolutely no signal on the bed. And this is with all the connecting doors open.
I was contemplating getting another router and using it as an accesspoint or something of the sort, just to boost the signal. So, I did what I always do when I need tech help. I asked google.
This is what I found: How To: Boost Your Wireless Signal With a Homemade Wifi Extender
I tried it out, and it was brilliant. I've managed to save on the cost of new hardware, and built myself an antenna out of a sheet of boxboard and some alluminium foil.
If you're feelin lazy to follow the links and do your own research, here's how I did it.
1) Download either one of these templates: Click on the thumbnails to download the complete file. Imagehosting provided by imageshack.us
A] For single page printout:
B] For two page printout: [print each image on a seperate sheet]
Dish:
Brace:
2) Assembly: Paste the antenna on a piece of mountboard / carboard / card paper /any stiff sheet of paper. Use two layers if you have to.
Paste aluminium foil over one side. Take care to not leave any bubbles, and to avoid making any creases . I know it might seem impossible, but you can get a fairly smooth surface if you do this on the floor, and carefully press on it with a rolling pin. [belan, as your mom might call it.]
Cut along the lines. Use a cutter to cut out the slots for the brace.
3) Along similar lines, paste the brace on a stiff paper, and cut it out. Use a blade / cutter to cut out the cross hole for the antenna of your router.
DO NOT USE ALUMINIUM FOIL HERE.
4) Insert the tabs in the slots, it's fairly simple.
5) Mount the dish on the antenna of your wi-fi router, and aim it in the direction you want to boost your signal. Keep in mind that the signal behind the antenna will also get reduced. This setup effectively "throws" your waves to one side.
How do I know it worked?
I tested the signal strength using the "Xirrus wifi monitor" vista sidebar gadget.
Signal strength at farthest point in house:
Before installtion of antenna: 0%
Using antenna made using single page printout on A4 sheet of paper: 17~21%
Using antenna made using two page printout on two A4 sheets of paper: 35~45%
I am able to get my full bandwidth even there now. I'm happy.
This is a great, inexpensive and quick solution to direct your wifi signal.
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Originally Posted by taurius1 
