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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2011 14:55:42 GMT -5
Does anyone know if there is such a thing as an antenna that can help me pick up surrounding hotspots. When I bring my laptop outside I get a list of seven possible internet connections. I am always able to connect to one of them without any problems. When I bring my laptop indoors and try to pick up a connection I only get three posible connections but they are not public. The one I connect to outside doesn't show up when I come inside to my apartment.  ANy help greatly appreciated. |
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Post by dgriffin on Jul 30, 2011 19:44:45 GMT -5
Alan, I hope someone has more experience than I and can give you better advice, but all I can tell you is that I was having trouble picking up my own wifi signal in my house and so bought the $12 Realtek item on the following page: www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=wi+fi+antenna&x=0&y=0It did in fact help but not a lot. However, it allowed me to get on from a room in the house far removed from the router. I'd like to assume the higher priced items would do a better job, but I just don't know. You can check the reviews of any of the antennas on Amazon or you can google reviews on the antennas. E.g, if you're interested in Premiertek PowerLink antennas, google, "reviews premiertek powerlink antennas. Have you tried multiple locations in your apartment. You might find a surprising corner where the signals are stronger. Also turn your Laptop around with the screen facing different directions. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2011 9:32:40 GMT -5
I never tried that. I will give it a shot
Thanks alot, Dave
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Post by Clipper on Jul 31, 2011 10:13:16 GMT -5
Alan, when I use my laptop outdoors I simply put my router on the window sill in order to allow a stronger signal to the laptop. If you buy an antenna and put that on your windowsill with the window open, or place it on the porch or something when you want to access the wifi network, it may work for ya and pull in the signal better than the built in antenna on your computer. I DO have my own network and router that runs off my cable internet connection, but use my laptop outside occasionally.
I know at times my neighbor's network shows up on my laptop, but only sporadically. Probably atmospheric conditions or whatever effect the signal. Her network, as well as my own are secured though and password protected. Having insecure wifi access to your network can allow people driving by or trolling for open networks to do naughty things on one's private network. It is kind of sad that we have to be so damned aware and focused on security issues whenever we use a computer. Can't never seem to be too secure now a days.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2011 9:46:10 GMT -5
Thanks Clipper. Now that the debit ceiling spending bill is passed I will order an antenna along with a 9 foot USB cable.
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Post by Clipper on Aug 1, 2011 10:20:11 GMT -5
I am happy and relieved for you Alan. I am more than familiar with feelings of stress, depression, and uncertainty. My heart is lighter, just knowing that yours can rest a little easier.
I hope you are able to find access to a wifi network that will allow you to post whenever you want to. I would not want to have to go out and about to access the internet, especially in the winter.
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Post by firstamendment on Aug 1, 2011 10:49:54 GMT -5
There are high gain wireless antennas out there, but usually you find them available for a wireless card for a desktop that has an external antenna connection, a PCI card. The problem with laptops is they do have antennas for internal wireless cards. Usually you'll find a pair of wires, each running along side the screen inside the case. I've taken apart a few laptops at home. I am not sure if there is any way to add an additional higher power antenna onto a laptop though. Would be nice since they have limitted range.
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Post by Clipper on Aug 1, 2011 10:57:25 GMT -5
Hell FA, I can get into enough trouble WITHOUT opening the case on my computers, haha. Old fumble fingers here would probably be heard to say "Oh crap, what have I done" soon after opening the case, haha.
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Post by firstamendment on Aug 1, 2011 10:59:53 GMT -5
Alan, I hope someone has more experience than I and can give you better advice, but all I can tell you is that I was having trouble picking up my own wifi signal in my house and so bought the $12 Realtek item on the following page: www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=wi+fi+antenna&x=0&y=0It did in fact help but not a lot. However, it allowed me to get on from a room in the house far removed from the router. I'd like to assume the higher priced items would do a better job, but I just don't know. You can check the reviews of any of the antennas on Amazon or you can google reviews on the antennas. E.g, if you're interested in Premiertek PowerLink antennas, google, "reviews premiertek powerlink antennas. Have you tried multiple locations in your apartment. You might find a surprising corner where the signals are stronger. Also turn your Laptop around with the screen facing different directions. that item is an actual external wireless card that connects via usb and you'd use that in place of the internal wireless. The nice thing about that usb based one is that it has a removable antenna, so you can use a higher gain antenna with it instead. Something like this: www.amazon.com/Booster-Antenna-Linksys-WMP54GS-WRT54GC/dp/B000SEN9U6/ref=acc_glance_e_ai_ps_t3_t_2That is a 9db antenna, where the one that comes with that usb adapter is only 5db. You have to pay attention to the round connector on the end of them though. I think there are two different sizes for those antennas but I am not certain. |
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Post by firstamendment on Aug 1, 2011 11:05:15 GMT -5
Hell FA, I can get into enough trouble WITHOUT opening the case on my computers, haha. Old fumble fingers here would probably be heard to say "Oh crap, what have I done" soon after opening the case, haha. I just had to disassemble a Dell laptop that one of the cats pissed on the keyboard. Needless to say the motherboard and CMOS battery didn't take too kindly to urine. |
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Post by Clipper on Aug 1, 2011 11:28:11 GMT -5
I am not a cat lover. I love dogs but I would have had to eliminate the cat along with repairing the computer. I know that many people love their cats as we love our poodle, but I have always found the smell of a litter box and cat pee beyond anything that I would personally tolerate having around. One of the brighter points of my divorce was that the ex took her damn cat and litter box with her, ROFL. The litter box was always located in the bathroom and I had to smell it, no matter how clean, when I went in there to shave in the morning.
It was humorous. I didn't like the damned cat, but it took to me, so it constantly would climb the back of my chair and sit on the arm and purr as I petted it. I didn't care for cats but I always would pet it just because it purred and was so darned contented pestering me, haha.
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Post by dgriffin on Aug 1, 2011 15:29:45 GMT -5
The $12 item on Amazon (Realtek) that I recommended to Alan is an outboard adapter with a screw on/off antenna that can also be moved around in any direction. I use it on a Dell laptop. I have found the internal adapter and antenna on Dell laptops to be not so sensitive as far as reception of the the signal from the wifi router.
Be careful adding wire to any antenna. Resonance is more important than the amount of wire and you can detune an antenna with just a little bit of extra wire, decreasing its sensitivity. At those frequencies the length can be very critical.
But sometimes you can get your laptop up near a large metal object that intercepts a lot of router signal and then couples it through the air to your wifi adapter. I often do this with radios using special small aperture loop antennas.
USB ports are slower than one would expect, so an outboard adapter can actually slow down your transmission speeds, but often the improved reception more than makes up for the port speed loss because the router doesn't have to re-try as much and overall the speed can increase.
You can see how you're doing overall by going to speedtest.net. The website is actually measuring your speed over the Internet, but of course that can be gated by your laptop-to-router speed and you can compare speed tests when using different wifi adapters or compare wifi to a cable connection to see if your router is slowing you down.
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Post by firstamendment on Aug 1, 2011 15:45:38 GMT -5
Right on both accounts, Dave. USB is slower than an internal card but with improved signal strength, it may counter the slower usb connection. That item is a good one to look into because it has a detachable antenna allowing for a stronger one to be used. There are some USB adapters out there with a fixed or even an internal antenna that won't be much better than the internal ones already in the lappy.
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Post by JGRobinson on Aug 8, 2011 6:00:34 GMT -5
Hopefully your host wont detect your usage and close you down. Ive seen people stop beside my house in to boondocks to hit my Wi-Fi. I dont care, until the first time someone gets crazy, then I will lock it down like fort Knox!
USB wont be a problem for most content other than streaming Video, the extension will allow you to advantage windows and thinner wall areas without standing sideways to make it work. A Slow connection is definitely better than No Connection!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2011 11:19:41 GMT -5
Just curious to find out if it works. WHat I ordered should be here today. I will most likely have to put the antenna out my window in order to pick up the public wifi signal I use. Utica was supposed to offer a free wifi connection when Julian was Mayor. It shows up as possible wifi connections but when it is clicked on nothing happens. The project was never completed. WHen I use the public libraries free Wifi that Utica wifi also shows up. They said I might get it at Hanna Park in front of city hall but I found out that is also not possible.
When I click on all of the other wifi signal's that show up I get a screen that says to enter a password or a SSDI. No idea what that means. Public Library gives me the password. And the free wifi connection I get does not need a connection because it is a free service offered by CABVI.
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