Thread: Wireless Range Extender – Booster

I have connected to “Wireless Router” with Internet connection from BSNL. However the signal to my laptop is limited to about 20 meters only. A friend has suggested that I connect to “Wireless Range Extender” which will increases the distance over which a signal can spread. Any suggestion as to which type is suitable? Is it available in India? Where? How much does it cost?

ensure that you have placed your router at a height and at a central location at your place.keep it away from cordless phones, microwaves etc.You should get a better range with your current router

what wireless router you are using?
if you are using Linksys WRT54GL which can even have 3rd party firmware

There is a third party firmware which can increase the power given to the antenna from 50 mW to 250 mW which will increase the range to a huge level

i have seen some ppl test this and they say that they can even access the wireless as far as 200 ft form his house
but if you dont have WRT54GL then you can buy wireless signal booster which are avaliable from linksys and many other companies, but i think that they dont come cheap

Ur antenna's output will be around 2-3 dbi. There are high gain antenna's available from Dlink & Linksys which gives output of 7-9dbi. price is around 2000-2300. Before buying chk whether that antenna will fit in ur modem. It will increase ur range considerably. I am using Dlink one & where i was getting "poor" connectivity now i am getting "Good".

Originally Posted by norbor99

I have connected to “Wireless Router” with Internet connection from BSNL. However the signal to my laptop is limited to about 20 meters only. A friend has suggested that I connect to “Wireless Range Extender” which will increases the distance over which a signal can spread. Any suggestion as to which type is suitable? Is it available in India? Where? How much does it cost?

20 meters is approximately 70 feet. Normally wireless routers give a range of 100 feet. But the signals can be attenuated by thick brick/concrete walls.

If possible, try to relocate the wireless router to a place that is in the centre of your house. Also, you may try to change the wireless channel. By default, it is 6 - try changing it to 11. This will change the wireless frequency and also eliminate wireless interferance from other devices. As stated in earlier posts, move the router away from cordless phones and/or microwave ovens.

Wireless range extenders are not strictly recommended when some simple tricks can do the job. If nothing works then invest in the extender. But in my experience, the wireless extender is only required for very large apartments and multi-storeyed homes.