Pretty much the title^
I'm looking for going cheap, not willing to spend that much, because I am already receiving an Internet connection, just that its so weak whenever the microwave, rain, etc comes it just turns into a lagfest
Looking for wifi extender that won't burst the 30 dollar bubble
LGhosteye on 17/09/2015 - 18:21
Comments
Yeah, but I suspect the reason why it's so slow it's due to the distance. The computer that I have is about 5 walls and 20-30 metres away, and I pretty much live on 1 bar of connectivity so I doubt having a 5ghz would help,
Meaning that I would rather have half the speed but better connectivity, than have poor connectivity and bad speeds
But thanks for the advice!
Hang on, you said your modem router is the RT-AC68U yeah? That is 5GHz…
Is your computer connecting on a 5GHz or 2.4GHz channel?
I'm actually wondering if your housemates are limiting you to the 2.4GHz, while they connect @ 5GHz. They seem to not what you to get better access or anything which is making me think they're hiding something.
Before we get too hung up between 5ghz and 2.4ghz, do remember that 5ghz wifi actually has a shorter range than 2.4ghz.
Higher frequency wifi signals tend to have poorer penetration capabilities and as such, with 5 walls between you and the router, you might not be able to get a solid connection.
http://www.speedguide.net/faq/is-5ghz-wireless-better-than-2…
Disadvantages of 5GHz:
In general, the higher the frequency of a wireless signal, the shorter its range. Thus, 2.4GHz networks cover a substantially larger range than 5GHz wireless networks. In particular, the higher frequency wireless signals of 5GHz networks do not penetrate solid objects nearly as well as 2.4GHz signals, limiting their reach inside buildings with solid walls and floors. Recent 802.11ac devices, however, are able to mitigate some of this disatvantage by using beamforming.The big Q is OP, what hardware are you using?
@scrimshaw:
soz for the late reply,
I'm using some (profanity) wireless USB receiver that I bought off ebay for 10 odd bucks, its brand is TP-link, I had a look at the packaging and it's 4dbi(which is pretty okay in my opinion). And yeah, I am connected to the 2.4ghz one, I think the 5GHz one is kinda off boundaries for me…. (with a need for a separate password).
But who cares? I'm not even in range to use the 5Ghz one.
As for hardware, the USB receiver is the only thing I'm currently using right now.Time for an upgrade perhaps..
Try this for $25
http://www.wireless1.com.au/tp-link-tl-wn7200nd-usb-wireless…or this for $39
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&c…But if you think you can spare the dosh, I recommend perhaps this EW-7822PIC as the antenna on this PCIE card can be extended using the supplied 1.8 meter cable
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&c…@scrimshaw:
Is 5dbi going to have that much of an impact? Having 4 already is pretty sluggish for me, I thought going ham and getting at least a 7 would be right….
What kind of modem are you connecting it to? Some wifi modems support WDS, meaning you can buy a cheap wifi router rather than an extender and use that.
My router model is RT-AC68U from Asus. It's already pretty strong in my opinion, and I have no way of finding out whether it supports WDS.
The guys who I rent with won't give me the admin password so I can't tweak with the settings inside unless I hack in :/If you're really desperate you can fiddle around with modifying the antennas itself (it won't cost much):
- for instance, purchasing specialised/directional antennas can often gain you a lot of extra distance by modifying the way the wireless signal propogates. This is especially the case on your router/access point
- I've also fiddled around with all sorts of stuff to achieve to modify the signal haphazardly. Sometimes they've worked. Other times they haven't. For instance, I once used a sieve to boost increase sensitivity of my USB wireless adapter by using a USB adapter cable and centering in the adapter roughly in the centre of the sieve. I effectively turned it into a satellite dish setup and gained about 20-30% (direction/orientation is very important) extra signal strength using a $4 metal cooking sieve from the local bargain storeI've actually tried that, and I wouldn't claim the results to be significantly better than my previous position….
http://blog.codinghorror.com/extending-your-wireless-network…
Looks like you need to build your own antenna.@scrimshaw
I don't think I will be allowed to attach some weird can-like looking thing onto their 200 dollar router. Any method I want to use to improve the situation has pretty much 1 criteria: It cannot plug in, change, move around or leave the room.A few more suggestions that I forgot…
- you can try building a 'passive repeater' using goods from around the house… Easiest one I can think of off the top of my head is getting a broken routers (op shop, IT department that has broken equipment, IT charity, etc…) and confiscating their antennas. Hook them up with wire and you have a 'passive repeater. Not sure how useful it will be useful it will be as this will be largely dependent on design/implementation
http://ham.stackexchange.com/questions/2146/wifi-passive-rep…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_repeater
http://hacknmod.com/hack/make-a-diy-wireless-repeater/ - another is to simply remove the cover on your wireless adapter. Normally, these are held on via snap on plastic clips (be careful and there shouldn't be any damage). Removing the cover will definitely give you more strength (my guess is that it will give you an extra 5-10% at worst) but result in fragility obviously…
- you can try building a 'passive repeater' using goods from around the house… Easiest one I can think of off the top of my head is getting a broken routers (op shop, IT department that has broken equipment, IT charity, etc…) and confiscating their antennas. Hook them up with wire and you have a 'passive repeater. Not sure how useful it will be useful it will be as this will be largely dependent on design/implementation
Have you considered ethernet over power?
Yes I have, unfortunately the guys whom I rent from wont let me do it.
harsh
They won't let you plug two adapters into power points? That's all that ethernet over power is.
Pretty much no, they're Asian and I find it really hard to communicate with them, so pretty much everything I've tried signalling or asking results in a no
@Ghosteye: Going from your user name I take it you're not Asian? :P
Draw them a picture, tells a thousand words no matter what language… given you don't draw like Mr squiggle ;)
I use power over Ethernet to gap a large gap between two buildings, i then have a power over Ethernet wifi extender plugged into it and also connected via Ethernet in Access Point mode NOT Extender.
Depending on your needs an "extender" generally double handles all the data back and forth, where the power over Ethernet can eliminate that resulting in less lag.
Another alternative is a high power, long range wireless USB adapter. They'll generally be using Ralink, Realtek, or Atheros chipsets and have larger (and potentially multiple) antennas combined with higher transmission power to deal with more 'challenging' environments. Beware that there are a lot of pretenders out there. Check out reviews prior to purchasing to save a bit of potential heartache. Prices are ~$20-50 AUD via eBay.
Relevant search terms (for eBay) are:
long range wireless adapter
alfa wirelessRight now I'm using a 4dbi antenna for this, might have to buy a 8-10 Dbi one
Try to change Chanel, if cordless phone around2.4ghz will effect wifi. Chanel10 better and u can by extend signal device antena.
No access to router settings.
Google it router IP address check model no
And put in web browser need to use Ethernet connection
Password normally admin
And change channel not touch anything.Have already tried that, password had already been changed.
U can reset if you know internet providers login details and password. But when u do that no longer secure internet any one can access so u have to put password which is same before or new one.check your router modern support they will show how to go inside if it. Reset will help reset password at admin.
@Zonty: This may also raise alarm bells when the people you rent from try and log into the modem and there password fails, evicting you in the process for Tenancy breach # 4.2.6 Unauthorized access to network, which is right under # 4.2.5 Using a PoE to gain a better connection like any other logical person would.
And of course these both fall under # 4.2 Bandwidth Control, any process carried out by a tenant in which one landlords streaming of porn is reduced will result in immediate and final eviction.
@Wakety-Wack: then what kind of owner not want help tenant. May be not even owner must be tenant and find room to share lol. As I m owner and I got tenant too and I help max. For tenant comfort.
do you have a laptop or desk top?
if desktop then check out this thread from scrimshaw regarding inexpensive wireless
If you have the ssid passwords to the asus i would do a hardware bridge, then you have 4 x NICs in a typical router, then you can install your own AP or feed your PC etc.
using 2nd hand APs whatever shouldbe cheap
Can you care to elaborate? I couldn't quite understand what you were saying and the internet is kinda not helping me.
Yes, I do have this SSID password, but not the router password.
@altomic
I am currently using a desktop, but that hardly matters does it?
Check manual of router mostly there is no password if there will login admin and enter or login admin password admin.
You need to go 5GHz if the microwave is killing the wifi. Forget the extender, it won't suddenly make the signal better. If you're getting (profanity) all, it will just give you half of (profanity) all!