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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Signal Booster
debdean - Jul 18, 2005 - 3:39 pm
Hello,
I live in an apt complex in which the rental office has a "netgear" free wifi set up for tenants. I live in the furthest building and i only get one bar on my airport signal. I have an iBook G4. What is the least expensive way to increase the signal strength? I can't afford $100 for the iBook antenna, I can't afford the cantenna for $50 nor do I want to make a Pringles antenna either.
HELP????
Deb
I live in an apt complex in which the rental office has a "netgear" free wifi set up for tenants. I live in the furthest building and i only get one bar on my airport signal. I have an iBook G4. What is the least expensive way to increase the signal strength? I can't afford $100 for the iBook antenna, I can't afford the cantenna for $50 nor do I want to make a Pringles antenna either.
HELP????
Deb
skapp - Jul 18, 2005 - 7:48 pm
Since you've eliminated the better solutions, try moving to an apartment closer to the rental office. Or ask the property owner to provide some additional equipment that will increase signal strength in your building.
DeltaMac - Jul 18, 2005 - 8:02 pm
Most any way to increase the signal strength will involve spending some money. You could try asking the landlord or apartment manager to spend money on more access points.
The cheapest (and easiest) is to just get closer to the existing access. The iBook is portable, take it with you, walk to the office and browse away.
The Pringles can trick actually is a good solution. A little trip to a craft store for some paint - you can make it look pretty good, or make it difficult to see.
You don't have too many choices for that cheap.
- Dale
The cheapest (and easiest) is to just get closer to the existing access. The iBook is portable, take it with you, walk to the office and browse away.
The Pringles can trick actually is a good solution. A little trip to a craft store for some paint - you can make it look pretty good, or make it difficult to see.
You don't have too many choices for that cheap.
- Dale
debdean - Jul 18, 2005 - 9:07 pm
OK so how do I do the Pringles thing? I actually don't mind spending up to $20. It just seemed that there had to be a solution somewhere between 5 - and 50 dollars.
Thanks!
Thanks!
DeltaMac - Jul 18, 2005 - 9:15 pm
You were the one who mentioned it. I saw an article some time ago, but I don't remember where - sorry... I'll drop this back into the main queue.
- Dale
- Dale
Captain Code - Jul 18, 2005 - 9:46 pm
Building a "cantenna" is pretty easy and you don't necessarily have to use a Pringles can.
Here is a how-to to make your own cantenna.
http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html
Really, it's not going to be that cheap because it requires a special cable which can cost a lot. The reason it costs a lot is that it's high grade cable made for low signal loss.
I bought 2 cables each about 12 inches long with 2 connectors on each end for about $50 a few years ago. Now, it may be cheaper these days but you'd have to contact the vendors listed on that page.
The cantenna is also only for point to point or point to multipoint connections. This means that the antenna would have to be pointed almost directly at the access point for it to do anything.
The best way is to get the landlord or owner to buy another access point to set up as a repeater.
There's not going to be any cheap way to extend the range.
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Captain Code -- Tech Support Agent
Here is a how-to to make your own cantenna.
http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html
Really, it's not going to be that cheap because it requires a special cable which can cost a lot. The reason it costs a lot is that it's high grade cable made for low signal loss.
I bought 2 cables each about 12 inches long with 2 connectors on each end for about $50 a few years ago. Now, it may be cheaper these days but you'd have to contact the vendors listed on that page.
The cantenna is also only for point to point or point to multipoint connections. This means that the antenna would have to be pointed almost directly at the access point for it to do anything.
The best way is to get the landlord or owner to buy another access point to set up as a repeater.
There's not going to be any cheap way to extend the range.
--------
Captain Code -- Tech Support Agent
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