How can I increase wireless range for a notebook

I currently have at home a Dell notebook with Intel Centrino
Technology and a Pentium IV desktop. The desktop is connected via a
Belkin FastCat5E Ethernet cable to a Linksys WRT54GS router, which in
turn is connected to a Linksys BEFCMU10 cable modem. The notebook has
the Intel Centrino Technology wireless connection to the Linksys
router.

For certain reasons beyond my control, the modem and router are
located in the basement at one end of my home. As a result, this
limits my notebook's wireless range when on the first floor. Since my
notebook has three USB ports, could I add to my notebook a USB network
wireless adapter with a high gain antenna without doing away with the
notebook's built-in wireless adapter and perhaps gain additional
wireless range? Also, what are some pointers on adding the USB adapter
to the notebook without losing the built-in wireless adapter?

Are there any other options to increase the wireless range? I
considered adding the Linksys WRE54G expander, but many reviewers said
that would decrease the bandwidth. Since, according to
http://www.pcpitstop.com, my downstream bandwidth is only about 1.5
Mbits, when the cable company advertises it as 3 Mbits, I don't want
to reduce it any further.

Finally, if I go with a USB wireless network adapter with a high gain
antenna, which one would best increase the range?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

John

maybe try making some reflectors your routers antennas or perhaps buy it
some juicer antenni
http://www.linksys.com/press/press.asp?prid=164

"John Mason" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> I currently have at home a Dell notebook with Intel Centrino
> Technology and a Pentium IV desktop. The desktop is connected via a
> Belkin FastCat5E Ethernet cable to a Linksys WRT54GS router, which in
> turn is connected to a Linksys BEFCMU10 cable modem. The notebook has
> the Intel Centrino Technology wireless connection to the Linksys
> router.
>
> For certain reasons beyond my control, the modem and router are
> located in the basement at one end of my home. As a result, this
> limits my notebook's wireless range when on the first floor. Since my
> notebook has three USB ports, could I add to my notebook a USB network
> wireless adapter with a high gain antenna without doing away with the
> notebook's built-in wireless adapter and perhaps gain additional
> wireless range? Also, what are some pointers on adding the USB adapter
> to the notebook without losing the built-in wireless adapter?
>
> Are there any other options to increase the wireless range? I
> considered adding the Linksys WRE54G expander, but many reviewers said
> that would decrease the bandwidth. Since, according to
> http://www.pcpitstop.com, my downstream bandwidth is only about 1.5
> Mbits, when the cable company advertises it as 3 Mbits, I don't want
> to reduce it any further.
>
> Finally, if I go with a USB wireless network adapter with a high gain
> antenna, which one would best increase the range?
>
> Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
>
> John

"John Mason" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
>I currently have at home a Dell notebook with Intel Centrino
> Technology and a Pentium IV desktop. The desktop is connected via a
> Belkin FastCat5E Ethernet cable to a Linksys WRT54GS router, which in
> turn is connected to a Linksys BEFCMU10 cable modem. The notebook has
> the Intel Centrino Technology wireless connection to the Linksys
> router.
>
> For certain reasons beyond my control, the modem and router are
> located in the basement at one end of my home. As a result, this
> limits my notebook's wireless range when on the first floor. Since my
> notebook has three USB ports, could I add to my notebook a USB network
> wireless adapter with a high gain antenna without doing away with the
> notebook's built-in wireless adapter and perhaps gain additional
> wireless range? Also, what are some pointers on adding the USB adapter
> to the notebook without losing the built-in wireless adapter?
>
> Are there any other options to increase the wireless range? I
> considered adding the Linksys WRE54G expander, but many reviewers said
> that would decrease the bandwidth. Since, according to
> http://www.pcpitstop.com, my downstream bandwidth is only about 1.5
> Mbits, when the cable company advertises it as 3 Mbits, I don't want
> to reduce it any further.
>
> Finally, if I go with a USB wireless network adapter with a high gain
> antenna, which one would best increase the range?
>
> Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
>
> John

YOu can certainly add a USB wireless adapter to your laptop. However, you
can only use it or the built in one at a time. Its advantage is to allow
placement of the antenna that may make a big difference. If you can return
a device with full refund and no stocking charge, cheap and easy to try out.

AGree that an antenna on your access point, or changing its location in the
basement, or even changing the orientation of the antennas - from vertical
to horizontal may make a good difference.

Any way to run an ethernet cable from the basement to the first floor or
attic and put your wireless up there?

--
Bob Alston

bobalston9 AT aol DOT com


---
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John Mason <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> For certain reasons beyond my control, the modem and router are
> located in the basement at one end of my home. As a result, this
> limits my notebook's wireless range when on the first floor. Since my

http://www.freeantennas.com shows some free reflector designs that you can
make from a cookie sheet or a piece of cardboard.

--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8-122.5

you can put a directional antenna on your router
or an omni-directional on it. I have the router in my office and the antenna
is in the attic.
I get good connections all around my property. The antenna cost me 79
dollars
and a few more bucks for the wire and connector to the router.
"John Mason" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
>I currently have at home a Dell notebook with Intel Centrino
> Technology and a Pentium IV desktop. The desktop is connected via a
> Belkin FastCat5E Ethernet cable to a Linksys WRT54GS router, which in
> turn is connected to a Linksys BEFCMU10 cable modem. The notebook has
> the Intel Centrino Technology wireless connection to the Linksys
> router.
>
> For certain reasons beyond my control, the modem and router are
> located in the basement at one end of my home. As a result, this
> limits my notebook's wireless range when on the first floor. Since my
> notebook has three USB ports, could I add to my notebook a USB network
> wireless adapter with a high gain antenna without doing away with the
> notebook's built-in wireless adapter and perhaps gain additional
> wireless range? Also, what are some pointers on adding the USB adapter
> to the notebook without losing the built-in wireless adapter?
>
> Are there any other options to increase the wireless range? I
> considered adding the Linksys WRE54G expander, but many reviewers said
> that would decrease the bandwidth. Since, according to
> http://www.pcpitstop.com, my downstream bandwidth is only about 1.5
> Mbits, when the cable company advertises it as 3 Mbits, I don't want
> to reduce it any further.
>
> Finally, if I go with a USB wireless network adapter with a high gain
> antenna, which one would best increase the range?
>
> Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
>
> John

A 200mW access point/router instead of the 30Mw Linksys fixed it for me.

http://www.senao.com.tw/english/prod...less01_all.asp


John Mason wrote:

> I currently have at home a Dell notebook with Intel Centrino
> Technology and a Pentium IV desktop. The desktop is connected via a
> Belkin FastCat5E Ethernet cable to a Linksys WRT54GS router, which in
> turn is connected to a Linksys BEFCMU10 cable modem. The notebook has
> the Intel Centrino Technology wireless connection to the Linksys
> router.
>
> For certain reasons beyond my control, the modem and router are
> located in the basement at one end of my home. As a result, this
> limits my notebook's wireless range when on the first floor. Since my
> notebook has three USB ports, could I add to my notebook a USB network
> wireless adapter with a high gain antenna without doing away with the
> notebook's built-in wireless adapter and perhaps gain additional
> wireless range? Also, what are some pointers on adding the USB adapter
> to the notebook without losing the built-in wireless adapter?
>
> Are there any other options to increase the wireless range? I
> considered adding the Linksys WRE54G expander, but many reviewers said
> that would decrease the bandwidth. Since, according to
> http://www.pcpitstop.com, my downstream bandwidth is only about 1.5
> Mbits, when the cable company advertises it as 3 Mbits, I don't want
> to reduce it any further.
>
> Finally, if I go with a USB wireless network adapter with a high gain
> antenna, which one would best increase the range?
>
> Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
>
> John

"John Mason" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
>I currently have at home a Dell notebook with Intel Centrino
> Technology and a Pentium IV desktop. The desktop is connected via a
> Belkin FastCat5E Ethernet cable to a Linksys WRT54GS router, which in
> turn is connected to a Linksys BEFCMU10 cable modem. The notebook has
> the Intel Centrino Technology wireless connection to the Linksys
> router.
>
> For certain reasons beyond my control, the modem and router are
> located in the basement at one end of my home. As a result, this
> limits my notebook's wireless range when on the first floor. Since my
> notebook has three USB ports, could I add to my notebook a USB network
> wireless adapter with a high gain antenna without doing away with the
> notebook's built-in wireless adapter and perhaps gain additional
> wireless range? Also, what are some pointers on adding the USB adapter
> to the notebook without losing the built-in wireless adapter?
>
> Are there any other options to increase the wireless range? I
> considered adding the Linksys WRE54G expander, but many reviewers said
> that would decrease the bandwidth. Since, according to
> http://www.pcpitstop.com, my downstream bandwidth is only about 1.5
> Mbits, when the cable company advertises it as 3 Mbits, I don't want
> to reduce it any further.
>
> Finally, if I go with a USB wireless network adapter with a high gain
> antenna, which one would best increase the range?
>
> Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
>
> John

If your cable bandwidth is measured via the wired computer, you need to
investigate the reduction. Connect your laptop directly by ethernet to
the modem and do the measurement there. www.dslreports.com has a pretty
good set of speed measurements and their tweak guide. Access the
Linksys modem's power measurements (http://192.168.100.1, usually) and
review the upstream/downstream power. If the power is not within the
normal range for cable (-10 to +10 down, less than 40 dBmV up), then you
should have a service call to find the source of the speed reduction -
usually a line drop or filtering problem. You pay for 3Mb/s down and
you should get at least 2.5Mb/s.

The main issue is well covered by the other responders.

Q

What is the name and model number of the 200mW access point/router
that you purchased?

John

Airman Thunderbird <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:<Bd2dnaJ5QqNnCKDcRVn-(E-Mail Removed)>...
> A 200mW access point/router instead of the 30Mw Linksys fixed it for me.
>
> http://www.senao.com.tw/english/prod...less01_all.asp
>
>
> John Mason wrote:
>
> > I currently have at home a Dell notebook with Intel Centrino
> > Technology and a Pentium IV desktop. The desktop is connected via a
> > Belkin FastCat5E Ethernet cable to a Linksys WRT54GS router, which in
> > turn is connected to a Linksys BEFCMU10 cable modem. The notebook has
> > the Intel Centrino Technology wireless connection to the Linksys
> > router.
> >
> > For certain reasons beyond my control, the modem and router are
> > located in the basement at one end of my home. As a result, this
> > limits my notebook's wireless range when on the first floor. Since my
> > notebook has three USB ports, could I add to my notebook a USB network
> > wireless adapter with a high gain antenna without doing away with the
> > notebook's built-in wireless adapter and perhaps gain additional
> > wireless range? Also, what are some pointers on adding the USB adapter
> > to the notebook without losing the built-in wireless adapter?
> >
> > Are there any other options to increase the wireless range? I
> > considered adding the Linksys WRE54G expander, but many reviewers said
> > that would decrease the bandwidth. Since, according to
> > http://www.pcpitstop.com, my downstream bandwidth is only about 1.5
> > Mbits, when the cable company advertises it as 3 Mbits, I don't want
> > to reduce it any further.
> >
> > Finally, if I go with a USB wireless network adapter with a high gain
> > antenna, which one would best increase the range?
> >
> > Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > John

What is the name and model number of the 200mW access point/router
that you purchased?

John

Airman Thunderbird <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:<Bd2dnaJ5QqNnCKDcRVn-(E-Mail Removed)>...
> A 200mW access point/router instead of the 30Mw Linksys fixed it for me.
>
> http://www.senao.com.tw/english/prod...less01_all.asp
>
>
> John Mason wrote:
>
> > I currently have at home a Dell notebook with Intel Centrino
> > Technology and a Pentium IV desktop. The desktop is connected via a
> > Belkin FastCat5E Ethernet cable to a Linksys WRT54GS router, which in
> > turn is connected to a Linksys BEFCMU10 cable modem. The notebook has
> > the Intel Centrino Technology wireless connection to the Linksys
> > router.
> >
> > For certain reasons beyond my control, the modem and router are
> > located in the basement at one end of my home. As a result, this
> > limits my notebook's wireless range when on the first floor. Since my
> > notebook has three USB ports, could I add to my notebook a USB network
> > wireless adapter with a high gain antenna without doing away with the
> > notebook's built-in wireless adapter and perhaps gain additional
> > wireless range? Also, what are some pointers on adding the USB adapter
> > to the notebook without losing the built-in wireless adapter?
> >
> > Are there any other options to increase the wireless range? I
> > considered adding the Linksys WRE54G expander, but many reviewers said
> > that would decrease the bandwidth. Since, according to
> > http://www.pcpitstop.com, my downstream bandwidth is only about 1.5
> > Mbits, when the cable company advertises it as 3 Mbits, I don't want
> > to reduce it any further.
> >
> > Finally, if I go with a USB wireless network adapter with a high gain
> > antenna, which one would best increase the range?
> >
> > Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > John

"John Mason" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> What is the name and model number of the 200mW access point/router
> that you purchased?
>
> John \\

SMC shows a 200mw 802.11g PrismGT/Nitro Router at a reasonable price for the
typical home LAN.