Travel Technology - more power for receiving wifi? Help please

Is there a way to increase the strength of a wifi signal without attaching anything to the router? I only use laptops and sometimes can pick up a (weak) signal that comes in and out - my 802g laptop seems to pick it up better than my 802b (probably not relevant) anyway....

I'm confused about wifi antenna's, boosters, etc. Basically is there something I can get and just place not attached to anything (except maybe a power source) that will pick up and make stronger (is this "boost") an existing wifi signal?

Is there a way to increase the strength of a wifi signal without attaching anything to the router? I only use laptops and sometimes can pick up a (weak) signal that comes in and out - my 802g laptop seems to pick it up better than my 802b (probably not relevant) anyway....

I'm confused about wifi antenna's, boosters, etc. Basically is there something I can get and just place not attached to anything (except maybe a power source) that will pick up and make stronger (is this "boost") an existing wifi signal?

I purchased Hawking HWL2A for my MAC PowerBook. It is powered via USB port and pulls in signals the laptop itself does not see. You might want to try Hawking for something similar.

There are three paths you could try

1) Alter the router
I know you said you didn't want to do this but I'll list it anyways. You can:
a. Get better (higher gain?) antennas
b. Hack the firmware (depending on model-Linksys wrt54g/gl works well for this). Many hacked firmwares allow you to increase power

2) Alter the laptop
You can get a PCMCIA card (the one that goes in the side) that has a connector for an external antenna. This will allow you to get a better signal EVERYWHERE on any network you choose.

3) Get a wi-fi "repeater"
I think this is what you meant. You plug it in to a power outlet, set it up with a computer, then disconnect the computer and it works on its own (it only needs the power). It basically works like a CB repeater. Here's a diagram

a) No repeater (the way it is now)
ROUTER<----->LAPTOP

b) Config With Repeater
ROUTER<----->REPEATER<----->LAPTOP

A single repeater will only work for one wifi network. They increase the RANGE of the system, but add LATENCY (the time it takes for the signal to go from router to laptop or vice versa)

If you go the repeater route, it is best to get one from the same manufacturer as the router. Normally, they spend most of the testing time w/ their own equipment and are more likely/able to help if you have a problem.

Good Luck!!

Can you suggest a pcmcia card that has the connection for an external antenna -this seems the most versatile.

So far the things I've tried haven't worked.

How is a repeater different from an antenna?

Please keep the suggestions coming!

Can you suggest a pcmcia card that has the connection for an external antenna -this seems the most versatile.......

Compex iWavePort WL11A+

ORiNOCO Gold card

Zoom ZoomAir 4103r


MisterNice

If you can provide us with some more detailed information we may be able to be more helpful. Is this a problem you are having at a specific location like in your home or office or a problem at public access points? How far away is the router? Is the router on the same floor/level? What type of router is it A/B/G? The easiest solution usually involves throwing money into new hardware but there are other less expensive solutions for some problems. An antenna is capable of transmitting and receiving the wireless signal. The repeater uses one or more antennas to receive the signal and then rebroadcast the signal in order to extend the range.

If you are trying to get a signal from one end of your house to the other (it's your router, etc) you could also run a cable to the other end and attach an access point. Very inexpensive on e-bay, I did that and it's great.

An repeater will take a signal, and rebroadcast or repeat it out again. If you think of two circles that barely touch as coverage areas for signal strength, one being the laptop and the other being the router, you could see that the two signals can't reach each other. If you put a repeater in the middle, it reaches both and extends the distance.

I was running wires anyways for something else, so I went access point as the repeater function wouldn't work with my router.

I do agree with the above, again if it's your set up and you are not trying to eek into a neighbors, it may be better to just get new equipment that would be faster with longer range.

I purchased Hawking HWL2A for my MAC PowerBook. It is powered via USB port and pulls in signals the laptop itself does not see. You might want to try Hawking for something similar.


I just bought a Hawking device for my powerbook and it seems to pull in lots of wifi spots that the powerbook can not receive. The problem is that I constantly get a " you are not connected to internet" notice. I have gone thru all the steps in system pref. and still cant connect. Their support seems not to be of any value... Anyone have any success. if so how?

I just bought a Hawking device for my powerbook and it seems to pull in lots of wifi spots that the powerbook can not receive. The problem is that I constantly get a " you are not connected to internet" notice. I have gone thru all the steps in system pref. and still cant connect. Their support seems not to be of any value... Anyone have any success. if so how?
It is possible that the wireless networks you see are either encrypted or the signal is to weak to actually connect. If it is a weak signal you can try to move around and get a better signal or you will need a pcmcia card and a higher gain antenna.

It is possible that the wireless networks you see are either encrypted or the signal is to weak to actually connect. If it is a weak signal you can try to move around and get a better signal or you will need a pcmcia card and a higher gain antenna.

My home airport is wep and the Hawkin doesnt seem to allow me to input my password, has Hex or ascii but neither accepts my password, Their customer support seems to be in India/Pakistan and no one seems to be able to help... Really want this to work... the non encryp spots come in with fairly good signal but also cant connect.

My home airport is wep and the Hawkin doesnt seem to allow me to input my password, has Hex or ascii but neither accepts my password, Their customer support seems to be in India/Pakistan and no one seems to be able to help... Really want this to work... the non encryp spots come in with fairly good signal but also cant connect.
I do not know if we are hijacking this thread. How old is your laptop? What operating system are you using? Does your computer already have built in wireless capability?

I do not know if we are hijacking this thread. How old is your laptop? What operating system are you using? Does your computer already have built in wireless capability?
at home i can get on easily with my powerbook and airport. the hawkins say to shut off airport (did that) it picks up home aiport extreme,, strong signal but asks for password and it doesnt allow it in form that airport uses,,,ie 4letters and 2 number,,, using 10.4.7 built in extreme card.
home doesnt bother me,,, its on the road searching for wifi...
it picks up signals non encryp and connects but then get not on internet message

as to thread.. sort of the same..original op using powerbook and bought hawkins..i think