How do you find out how far a wireless router reaches?

Question

im no engineer, so can you please make it as simple as possible? =) so my family needs a better router that can reach to both our front and backyard, the one we have right now can't do it. do any of you have a router reccomendation or kno how far a router can reach?

(we're thinking about getting the "D-Link DGL4300 108Mbps GamerLounge Wireless-G Gaming Router" ...the one we have right now is " D-link and the model code is: WBR-2310"

thanks in advance

Answer 1

The only sure-fire test is to walk around with a few laptops and survey the strength in different areas.

They usually reach 500 feet with no obstructions or interference (aka the middle of the desert).  The new 802.11n is supposed to reach farther but I've never seen one in action so I don't know.

Make sure your router is as high as possible - and away from metal and electric stuff.  If you have 2.4GHz phones replace them with something like 5.8GHz or 900MHz.  Microwave ovens cooking also interfere.  If you have wireless video senders or cameras that are on 2.4GHz consider turning them off when you need better range or installing wired ones.  Some things can specify a channel, put your network as far away from other things as you can (e.g. network on channel 11 and video sender on channel 1/A)

You could always get a range-extender (such as the Belkin WURE) that rebroadcasts the signal from another room so it's stronger.  Faster and more reliable you could run cable to another location and set up an Access Point (or router configured to AP mode) and give it the same SSID & Security.  This will extend the reach without sacraficing bandwidth.

Before you go all-out with expenses, I just found this site where you make a reflector of photopaper or cardstock and aluminum foil backing.  It seems to help if you want to extend distance in one direction, I went from 45% to 95% pointing it at my basement but it cuts the range in other directions it's not pointed.  For a piece of paper and cooking foil it's cheap enough to try first - if it doesn't help you haven't lost anything but a few mintues of time.

http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/tem...

Answer 2

other than taking your laptop out and roaming til you lose signal i couldn't tell you.

actually you can look up reviews for the routers. the noise around the house could affect your signal, especially cordless phones.

here's a website that has free designs for antennae to boost signals. some require only tinfoil tape and cardboard. they actually work too.

http://www.freeantennas.com/

Answer 3

Wireless N technical limit  

Speed  108MB

Distance: 308 feet

Source:  http://80211n.com/

Obviously there are ways to boost the signals but N is the best out of the box.

You must have a N type adapter to receive at the longer distances.

Answer 4

honestly the only way to truly measure its range would be with a laptop and walking til the signal drops off and measuring the distance. there are any number of things that can interfere with your signal, thick stone/brick walls, metal roof, etc...

Your best bet would be to pick up a Wireless N router (many of them tend to have a stronger signal) or a high gain directional antenna from a manufacturer like Hawking in addition to your new router.

Do not buy a router with an internal antenna, they tend to be weakest at broadcasting through walls.