Wireless Antenna worth it?

[JaysinOC]

Hi I have a computer in the basement of my house with a d-link extreme n wireless card http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10082041&catid= I only get 1 connection in range where as in the room right on top of that one, with my laptop and a d-link
rangebooster G card http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10080887&catid=
I get about 7 connections and at decent speeds
Would this antenna http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10071144&catid=
get my computer in the basement to find these conections or is it just good for indoor and not outdoor
my computer is right by a window, so I could put it outside, and maybe make a little shelter for it lol

Im trying to get my firends internet (i have his permission) On the main floor I get it but not in the basement

[ppe1700]

hmm.. wireless always gives me problems! and i really dont like wireless at all..

why dont you have a wireless reciever on a floor upstairs placed where it can recieve an EXCELLENT signal from your neighbour, and then connect this wired to a powerline device that plugs into your mains wiring.
and then use a second powerline device to go from mains wiring to the ethernet nic port on your computer (or another switch in the basement)

that would be far easier and less hastle trying to get a good signal 99.999% of the time in the basement, when some thing simple like your heating thermostat switching on could cause emi and a wireless drop out...

how far does your friend live away? you could run an ethernet cable from his switch to your house..

[~(o)-(0)~]

yeah, as PPE said, the b asement is teh sux0rs for wireless reception. You have to get something that can recieve above ground level to get better signal.
As for that specific antenna, I bought one and returned it because it didn't increase my signal sufficiently to get through into my garage, but ym garage is all metal. However, if you had an extension on it and ran that down to your computer in the basemet then it would most probably be an improvement.

Nick

[dreamtfk]

Could a bridge be used here? Or an amplifier?

[~(o)-(0)~]

yes a bridge could be used as well, but its likely to be more expensive than an antenna

[moto211]

You could get a cheap dd-wrt compatible router and use it as a repeater.

[Jolly-Swagman]

You may want to have a look here http://martybugs.net/wireless/biquad/
You could make one of these much cheaper than the antenna listed above (OP)

[blackjackel]

Ok, I know this is a late response but I figured I'd chime in... I've been reading a TON about antennas and how they work.

The antenna you listed won't improve your reception much, it might give you half a bar more power... it might be enough to connect but it won't be enough to give you a decent connection.

The way Wireless antennas work is they are designed to send the signal out in a thin doughnut shape.... but for arguments sake, lets say its a disc...

Imagine a disc like a quarter (the coin), with your antenna right in the center... the quarter is the signal... if you go too far above or below this "signal" you won't get ANYTHING... So your problem is height... your problem is in the vertical not in the horizontal, therefore that antenna won't work.

What you NEED is an antenna EXTENSION, or to buy a stronger antenna that COMES with an extension, then you need to place the antenna as high up as you can, even put it out the window if you have to... just place it as high up as it will go... that should help you pick up the connection a lot better.

thats IF you're getting an OMNIdirectional antenna...

The other option ( a MUCH better one) is to get a UNIdirectional antenna (one that shoots out in one direciton only) then simply "aim" it up at your friends wireless network.

You can buy em online or you can make one with a pringles can... google pringles antenna or cantenna...

Alternatively you can make a "Windsurfer" antenna that would literally take you 5 minutes to make with crap you find in your kitchen..... then "aim" the normal antenna you have on your computer upwards, that would help a lot.
Though that option might not get you too many results... its just the cheapest and fastest option you could do.

Good luck

[gangaskan]

You could get a cheap dd-wrt compatible router and use it as a repeater.



this would be the ideal solution.

or as blackjack said a cantena, or a windsurfer antena would do good as you can put it by a window (if you have one) and aim it at his house.

wireless is funky, even moreso when you get into thicker basments and such at my last house i was able to get a decent wifi connection atleast 2-3 houses away from me :) so good luck!

also, you may want to see if he can try to up the xmit power, if he can and change signals when all possible.