Signal Strength

[Chazwurth]

Hello everyone,

I have set up a wireless network in my home between two computers. I am using the Netgear WGT624 wireless router and the WG311T . I am happy with the ease of setup and the lack of disconnects with this setup but I am unhappy with the signal strength. According to the Wireless Network Connection screen I am running at 54Mbps but I have only two bars on the signal strenth meter and it reads between low and very low. The WGT624 is about sixty feet away from the WG311T and the signal has to travel through six walls and two floors. My question is will a signal booster, higher Db antenna, or a repeater help at all? I know the repeater will help but I am trying to avoid running any wires at all. Any info you provide will be of great assistance...thanks.

[ricercar]

My Linksys WSB signal booster was good for an extra 15-25 feet through apartment walls, effectively gave me an extra room of coverage. I don't know about Netgear.

What is your throughput with 2 bars? Can you get your ISP's maximum bandwidth across your wireless? If your wireless net delivers your ISP's max transfer rate, you don't need to the extra bars on a meter.

In other words, unless you're transferring lots of files over the wireless between your own machines, you may find that cash outlay for a booster or +6dB antenna may not deliver any benefit in internet surfing / download / streaming video speed.

YMMV.

[Chazwurth]

I am currently running a speed of 54Mbps, although I have run at 108Mbps once or twice using this setup. The router and card are both capable of 108Mbps and since this setup has run at that speed a couple of times I wasn't sure if the low signal had anything to do with it. I do not get diconnected and the speed is ok, just not as fast as the computer that is connected to the router.

[doctorgonzo]

54 Mbps is far more than the actual speed of your internet connection, so unless you are transfering files between computers on your local network, 108 Mbps isn't going to do you any good.

A directional antenna may not be a bad idea if you aren't moving around a lot.

[Chazwurth]

Both computers are desktops, and I was not sure if the router and the wireless computer had to have directional antenna, I assume both do. Am I right that both would need directional antenna's?

[doctorgonzo]

No, you don't need to have two directional antennae.

[Jaggannath]

Basically, there are two types of antennae... isotropic and directional. Isotropics (in theory) radiate equally in all directions, whilst directional antennae focus the energy over a pre-determined bandwidth. For instance, a 6dB directional antennae should give you approximately 4 times the power in the chosen direction. Then you just point the directional at the receiving antenna, and you're in business. If you're doing a lot of two way communications over distance then two directional antennae **may** be beneficial; however, I would suggest one should do the job.

[Chazwurth]

Thanks for all the advice, I think I may pick up a directional antenna. Does anyone have any suggestions on a particular brand?

[glc]

Hawking antennas are a good value. Ideally, you need 2 antennas - one at each end. Reason being is antennas only help with transmitting, not receiving.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833164110

[Chazwurth]

Thanks for all of the help!! I was actually looking at getting the Hawking brand antenna, although not the corner mount. After reading all of the reviews I think I will go with this corner mount antenna by Hawking...thanks glc! I will let you know how it works.

[gmanz73]

let me noe too, i am experiencing the same problem.. with the same company and model

[glc]

My experience with them shows you need 2 - one at each end. Just one doesn't extend range much but 2 makes a big difference. If you have a dual antenna router, just remove one antenna and swivel the second antenna down parallel to the table.