Wireless internet problems, help?

Question

Ok so my friend lives in a fairly small college town and plenty of wireless providers such as the dorms and the college provide wireless internet, but signal strength and connecting is a big problem. Besides an air card what can he get to increase the signal strength to his laptop. I believe he is on wireless G technology that's already built into his computer, but is there not an external card or something you can plug in and get a better signal or maybe get internet?

Answer 1

if his card is built in and its G tech. then there is nothing really that he can do.

it doesn't matter how good your wireless card is, if the college router isn't that good the it won't send the signal far. the router and receiver have to be the same technology.

wireless extenders only work with desktops that I'm aware of. do a search on them at newegg.com  

Answer 2

There are several items that can be used for this. First does his card "see" any of the networks?  If so, just adding a higher power card and external antenna will probably work.  You can get these from specialty dealers like Radio Labs. These cards have 10 times the power of the normal cards and have external antenna connectors which allow better reception. Here is one such card/antenna combo.

http://radiolabs.com/products/wireless/w...

If his card is NOT seeing any of the Access Points around him then you need a little more. Like a Tanzeo or Motorola or Zinwell radio antenna combo.  These are outdoor mounted, high power, high gain directional units that allow connections for MILES! (still line of site but miles is indeed the correct term - I have used them at 20 miles!)

Like these

http://shop.wirelessguys.com/s.nl/it.A/i...

http://shop.defactowireless.com/s.nl/it....

or the higher power Zinwell (it does need assembly)

http://shop.defactowireless.com/s.nl/it....

With these units you run ethernet from the unit to the radio/antenna mounted outside on a pole or roof - just aim at the access point!

The are powered with a power over ethernet injector unit which stays inside.  Truly have used them daily at 8 miles,, and on occasion to 20 miles from an outdoor AP unit!

Just check and be sure he has permission or that these really are PUBLIC systems!

Just for fun -- the wifi distance record is 237 miles!

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/19/venez...