SMC wireless signal strength issue..>>>

Ok... computer/network question...>>>>

In my home I have a wireless network set up with a SMC router. My computer
(on the 2nd floor) sits right next to the router so I get a great signal.
However, I have another PC in the basement that I'm having trouble with. It
is running Win2000 and has a SMC wireless PCI card installed. Sometimes (a
lot of times, lately) I've been getting either no connection down there, or
a very slowwwwwww connection.

On one hand, I'd say that it is too far away to get a good signal (thru
walls and floors), but sometimes I get a 10% signal, sometimes I get 0%
signal. I've tried to isolate any interference (like a wireless phone or
ceiling fan or stuff like that) but I can't seem to find the problem.

THEN, today, I set up my laptop next to the downstairs PC. The laptop has a
wireless SMC pcmcia card. Putting the two side-by-side I'd get a 20% to 30%
signal from the laptop/pcmcia card but not getting any signal strength from
the PC with the pci wireless card. I would've thought that both computers
(the pc and the laptop) would receive the wireless signal the same -- but
they are significantly different!!!!

Have any of you seen any problem like this? Do y'all think that changing
the PC's pci card for something different, like a USB wireless connection
would help? I originally thought that I needed a signal booster, but it
looks like that maybe the pci card in the computer isn't as good of a
connection as the pcmcia card in my laptop.

Does SMC make a range booster? If not, what other choices would I have?


--
Marty S.
Baltimore, MD USA

Thanks for your response. I've tried the antenna on the pci card in
multiple orientations -- none are better than any other. The PC in which
the pci card is installed sits on a desktop with no desk or overhand
interferring with the pci card's antenna. I am thinking of pulling the pci
card and installing a USB wireless access point. I don't know why I think
that will help -- I want to try something...

--
Marty S.
Baltimore, MD USA


<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:becaak$can$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Marty S. <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> > THEN, today, I set up my laptop next to the downstairs PC. The laptop
has a
> > wireless SMC pcmcia card. Putting the two side-by-side I'd get a 20% to
30%
> > signal from the laptop/pcmcia card but not getting any signal strength
from
> > the PC with the pci wireless card. I would've thought that both
computers
> > (the pc and the laptop) would receive the wireless signal the same --
but
> > they are significantly different!!!!
>
> The laptop antenna is better oriented to receive the signal from directly
> above.
>
> Have you tried positioning the antennas of the router and the PCI card so
> that they are parallel to the floor? The signal pattern looks like a
> doughnut, sitting on the antenna.
>
> Where is the antenna on the PCI card? Is it under a metal desk? under a
> desk at all? Try moving it out in plain view of the ceiling to see if
that
> helps te signal.
>
> You could build a set of reflectors, since the signal that you want is
> directional.
>
> http://www.freeantennas.com has the EZ10, as well as a parabolic.
>
>
>
> --
> ---
> Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8-122.5

Marty S. <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> Thanks for your response. I've tried the antenna on the pci card in
> multiple orientations -- none are better than any other. The PC in which
> the pci card is installed sits on a desktop with no desk or overhand
> interferring with the pci card's antenna. I am thinking of pulling the pci
> card and installing a USB wireless access point. I don't know why I think
> that will help -- I want to try something...

Try the free reflector idea. Easier, cheaper.
Four pieces of cereal box, some aluminum foil.
You could build a set of reflectors, since the signal that you want is
directional.

http://www.freeantennas.com has the EZ10, as well as a parabolic.


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

(E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> Marty S. <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>Thanks for your response. I've tried the antenna on the pci card in
>>multiple orientations -- none are better than any other. The PC in which
>>the pci card is installed sits on a desktop with no desk or overhand
>>interferring with the pci card's antenna. I am thinking of pulling the pci
>>card and installing a USB wireless access point. I don't know why I think
>>that will help -- I want to try something...
>
>
> Try the free reflector idea. Easier, cheaper.
> Four pieces of cereal box, some aluminum foil.
> You could build a set of reflectors, since the signal that you want is
> directional.
>
> http://www.freeantennas.com has the EZ10, as well as a parabolic.
>
>

EZ10 rocks!!

I can e-mail from the garden now - thanks to a Cornflakes packet and
some foil.

HiTech - you gotta love it

cps

"Marty S." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Ok... computer/network question...>>>>
>
> In my home I have a wireless network set up with a SMC router. My
computer
> (on the 2nd floor) sits right next to the router so I get a great signal.
> However, I have another PC in the basement that I'm having trouble with.
It
> is running Win2000 and has a SMC wireless PCI card installed. Sometimes
(a
> lot of times, lately) I've been getting either no connection down there,
or
> a very slowwwwwww connection.
>
> On one hand, I'd say that it is too far away to get a good signal (thru
> walls and floors), but sometimes I get a 10% signal, sometimes I get 0%
> signal. I've tried to isolate any interference (like a wireless phone or
> ceiling fan or stuff like that) but I can't seem to find the problem.

Sounds like multipath, that without a different type of receiver, or using
multiple antennas to combine the signal with, you are out of luck.
Especially considering the difference.
>
> THEN, today, I set up my laptop next to the downstairs PC. The laptop has
a
> wireless SMC pcmcia card. Putting the two side-by-side I'd get a 20% to
30%
> signal from the laptop/pcmcia card but not getting any signal strength
from
> the PC with the pci wireless card. I would've thought that both computers
> (the pc and the laptop) would receive the wireless signal the same -- but
> they are significantly different!!!!

You are more than likely seeing the effects of multipath, and the know
effect of wavelength of the signal. Thinking that the wavelength of an
800MHZ signal is like 13 inches, the wavelength of your 2.4GHZ card is even
smaller, hence you can see rapid fluctuations of power with slight changes
of position.
Take your cell phone to a known weak area, go to the screen that displays
signal strength via some kind of graphical representation, i.e. bars, now
slowly move the phone around and you will see the signal strength change.
This is the same thing your laptops are seeing, just at a different
frequency, with a smaller wavelength.
>
> Have any of you seen any problem like this? Do y'all think that changing
> the PC's pci card for something different, like a USB wireless connection
> would help? I originally thought that I needed a signal booster, but it
> looks like that maybe the pci card in the computer isn't as good of a
> connection as the pcmcia card in my laptop.

The receiver may be weaker, so yes maybe a more robust card will solve your
problem.


>
> Does SMC make a range booster? If not, what other choices would I have?
>
>
> --
> Marty S.
> Baltimore, MD USA
>
>
>