Question about USB wireless adapters

Grey Colson

Grey Colson

Administrator
Staff member
Hey Computer People,

If you have spotty reception from your home network router, does a USB wireless adapter boost the reception or is that not what it's for?

Our Comcast router works about one half of the time, or should I say we are able to pick up a signal about one half of the time. I was wondering if an adapter would fix the reception problem.

Thanks
 
So it's a lack of signal strength issue?

If so, a USB adapter probably won't help. It's primary use is to put WiFi capability in machines that aren't built with it...a desktop for example.

You have a few options;

1) If your wireless router has a detachable antenna, you can replace it with a high gain antenna. That what I did, and I can get WiFi well out into my yard. I like to sit on my deck and surf.

2) Relocate your router to a more central location.

3) Install a second wireless router, but you'll need a cat 5 cable ran from the first router to the second one.

4) Install a signal extender. This is basically a repeater that picks up your WiFi and rebroadcasts it for greater range. This might be your best and easiest solution. They are not expensive.
 
One other thing you might play around with. There are lots of instructions on the net for building a parabolic reflector to make your signal more directional. Pretty simple; basically you just construct something out of foil or thin metal to focus your transmission in a specific direction. I've also seen a trick where a coffee can is slid over the existing antenna to make it directional.

That oughta set off your geek alarm. :))
 
Guard Dad said:
So it's a lack of signal strength issue?

If so, a USB adapter probably won't help. It's primary use is to put WiFi capability in machines that aren't built with it...a desktop for example.

You have a few options;

1) If your wireless router has a detachable antenna, you can replace it with a high gain antenna. That what I did, and I can get WiFi well out into my yard. I like to sit on my deck and surf.

2) Relocate your router to a more central location.

3) Install a second wireless router, but you'll need a cat 5 cable ran from the first router to the second one.

4) Install a signal extender. This is basically a repeater that picks up your WiFi and rebroadcasts it for greater range. This might be your best and easiest solution. They are not expensive.
Click to expand...

Thanks Gd, I've been reading about a few of these options on the net. DW has the main computer upstairs in the office and really doesn't want it anywhere else in the house. You know "eyesore" argument.

At times I can even get reception in the man cave, two floors down, but you can't count on it. I like the high gain antenna idea, I'll just need to see if the the current one will detach.

The coffee can idea is good.....wait...the eyesore argument is coming back to mind. :eek: :))

But I was thinking it also may be a problem with my 3 year old computer. Who knew. me think me will look for a high gain antenna tomorrow. ;D
 
Guard Dad said:
So it's a lack of signal strength issue?

If so, a USB adapter probably won't help. It's primary use is to put WiFi capability in machines that aren't built with it...a desktop for example.

You have a few options;

1) If your wireless router has a detachable antenna, you can replace it with a high gain antenna. That what I did, and I can get WiFi well out into my yard. I like to sit on my deck and surf.

2) Relocate your router to a more central location.

3) Install a second wireless router, but you'll need a cat 5 cable ran from the first router to the second one.

4) Install a signal extender. This is basically a repeater that picks up your WiFi and rebroadcasts it for greater range. This might be your best and easiest solution. They are not expensive.
Click to expand...

wat he said! ;D
 
Winchester said:
Guard Dad said:
So it's a lack of signal strength issue?

If so, a USB adapter probably won't help. It's primary use is to put WiFi capability in machines that aren't built with it...a desktop for example.

You have a few options;

1) If your wireless router has a detachable antenna, you can replace it with a high gain antenna. That what I did, and I can get WiFi well out into my yard. I like to sit on my deck and surf.

2) Relocate your router to a more central location.

3) Install a second wireless router, but you'll need a cat 5 cable ran from the first router to the second one.

4) Install a signal extender. This is basically a repeater that picks up your WiFi and rebroadcasts it for greater range. This might be your best and easiest solution. They are not expensive.
Click to expand...

wat he said! ;D
Click to expand...

I'll probably check out the repeater also 8)
 
:)) My wonderful daughter, bless her heart...

My intent was to go out before work today and look into buying a high gain antenna for my existing router. I called her and ask her to look at the router antenna before she went to bed and see if it was detachable.

Well, it was and it wasn't. I got up this morning and went to look at it. It was broken off at the base. :eek: She checked for me, but it was not detachable at first, but it was after she twisted it enough! :))

She was afraid I'd be mad, but I just laughed instead. I just went and bought a good one that I believe will do the job. I'm better off doing that anyway. ;D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top