Increase your range.
There are a couple of approaches to extending your wireless network for your laptop or other wireless devices. Depending on the characteristics of your home, adding one or more wireless access points may well be the best approach. It’s something I’ve done myself.
On the other hand, it’s not appropriate for all situations. I’ll look at a couple of common alternatives that I’ve used in different situations.
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Options to extend Wi-Fi coverage
- Add a wired access point.
- Add a wireless repeater.
- Get better antennas.
One or more of these techniques can help extend your Wi-Fi range and coverage.
The basics
The common setup is shown above.
The internet comes into a wireless router (which is nothing more than a combined router and access point), and the wireless connection is available to any device in range.
The problem
The most common problem is either distance — when the laptop you want to connect wirelessly is too far away from the router — or some kind of obstruction that blocks the wireless signal.
That block could be a wall or electrical equipment that interferes with the wireless signal.
Solution 1: Additional access point
The traditional and typically best solution is to add an additional wired access point (not a router).
The access point connects to one of the router’s wired connections via a cable, and that cable bypasses the interference or bridges the distance, placing an additional access point closer to the device that needs it.
The preferred and most robust solution is putting a cable in place. You can, for example, place a switch at the end of that cable and hook up additional wired equipment like a desktop computer as well.
To address your plan, opposite ends of the house sound good, but keep in mind where you expect the computers to be used the most and optimize placement for that. For example, my wireless access point sits in my family room, where my wife and I frequently use our laptops.
Solution 2: Wireless repeater
A wireless repeater is nothing more than a wireless device that hands off communication between two points.
The repeater is placed somewhere between the wireless router and the computer you want to connect wirelessly. I say “somewhere” because this can get tricky; it needs to be close enough to the wireless router to get a good signal, yet close enough to the wireless devices to provide a strong signal. In the diagram, I’ve placed the repeater on one side of the wall or interference, but in reality, it could be anywhere that those two “close enough” criteria are met.
I carry a Wi-Fi repeater with me in my travel trailer. Wi-Fi connectivity at campsites and elsewhere can be tricky, depending on where we park in relationship to the campground’s access point.
Solution 3: Better antennas
Another approach is to get better antennas for the wireless router, the remote device, or both.
By replacing or adding larger or directional antennas on the equipment involved, you can increase the range of the wireless signal. A larger or directional antenna on the wireless router can produce a stronger or clearer signal. A larger or directional antenna on the remote device gives it bigger “ears” with which to receive the signal.
This solution works well in many circumstances, as it increases the range of unobstructed wireless signals. But like the repeater, it can be somewhat difficult to set up.
The specifics of what’s available will depend on your router, devices, and ability to get creative. (A commonly cited example is a “can-tenna” made out of a potato chip can, which creates a highly directional homemade antenna).
Do this
Hopefully, you can use one or more of the techniques above to extend your range and get solid Wi-Fi connectivity where you need it.
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My retiree’s club meets monthly in a restaurant conference room. We also broadcast on Zoom for members that are not able to attend in person. Unfortunately, the WiFi in the restaurant is at the far end of the restaurant from our conference room, and by the time it reaches us, it is a poor signal for Zoom.
What do you think of one of those stick USB antennas that plug into my laptop? Do you have a better suggestion?
Thanks for any assistance.
I’ve used a USB WiFi adapter and it improved the connection. Other times I’ve attached the adapter to USB extension chord which improved it a little more. On a computer farther from my router, I have a 2 antenna USB adaptor attached by a USB extension chord. That computer has a built-in WiFi card but it isn’t good enough.
I attached my USB WiFi adapter via a USB extension chord to elevate it for a better connection. One computer is a bit far from the router I have a 2 antenna WiFi adapter.
Yet another possible technique to increase Wi-Fi coverage is simply to physically raise the antennas (or the router they’re attached to). This can help the signal to get around, get through, or to bypass obstructions.
I have a second spare router attached to a 100′ Ethernet cable to extend my coverage. I probably should be using a WAP, but I use it because I already have it. Would a dedicated WAP give better reception or would the wireless router work as well?
With respect to coverage they should be the same (well, caveat differences in the actual devices, but conceptually the same). Using a router as an additional access point can cause issues due to double-natting, but if it’s working for you that may not matter.