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How to increase wireless signal strength?

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Border View

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Posted October 2, 2012 at 2:08PM

My OS is Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit) On a desktop computer with a wireless card inbuilt. My ISP is o2. I have o2's wireless router called Technicolour. My router is situated about 10 feet away from the desktop, yet my signal strength is only fair. Two bars, sometimes three, out of a possible five.

How do I increase the signal strength? My router syncs at about 2.9 Mbps and my download speed shows 2.4 Mbps. It has been known to drop to 0.3 Mbps and 1.5 Mbps.

Your help would be appreciated.

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wee eddie

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Posted October 3, 2012 at 12:19AM

Most Aerials are pretty puny. I have often wondered if the was any way of extending them, much in the same way as one extends a Radio Aerial?

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lotvic

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Posted October 3, 2012 at 12:27AM

wee eddie, http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Wireless-Antenna for network card to enhance wireless reception. I wonder if a wire coathanger would work, they did for car radio aerials.

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anniesboy

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Posted October 3, 2012 at 8:45AM

Why not try some Homeplugs

like these http://preview.tinyurl.com/9y2bapb

(many others available)

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onthelimit1

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Posted October 3, 2012 at 8:54AM

annies boy. As it's only 10ft, I think homeplugs are an overkill. I'd go down the route of a usb dongle. If the tower is still screening the signal, an extension lead would allow the dongle to be positioned in a more convenient place.

I've found these tiny Edimax give very good reception.

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Woolwell

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Posted October 3, 2012 at 10:29AM

The length of an aerial is in proportion to the frequency being used so increasing the length is unlikely to improve reception but the design/shape might. Putting the aerial in a better position eg via a dongle may well improve reception.

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wee eddie

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Posted October 3, 2012 at 12:36PM

So, a dongle, on the end of a USB lead, might be a good idea?

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Woolwell

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Posted October 3, 2012 at 12:50PM

It of course depends on the quality of the dongle - but basically yes it might be a good idea.

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Border View

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Posted October 3, 2012 at 5:03PM

Thanks for your comments fellas. Think I shall go down the USB dongle route. Bit annoyed because I gave a good one away last year.

Sorry if this sounds a brainless question but when I get the dongle - how do I disable the onboard wireless card?

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woodchip

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Posted October 3, 2012 at 5:11PM

Go into Device Manager and Disable it, right click My computer/Properties/ Hardware/Device Manager button. Then Right Click on Wireless/ Properties and Disable You may need first to double click Network Adapters to see it

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Border View

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Posted October 3, 2012 at 5:25PM

Right, feeling my way around without actually doing anything until I get the dongle.

Got to Network adapters and opened it. There are three listed:

Atheros AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter

Microsoft Virtual Wifi Miniport Adapter

Reltek PCIe GBE Family Controller

When I come to disable - which one? Wonder why I have three?

Would welcome your comments please.

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