Ways to Boost Your Wi-Fi Signal
Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011Everyone loves using Wi-Fi for their internet access. In your home or office it makes the whole internet experience easier and more flexible. The biggest problem with using Wi-Fi is obtaining a strong and consistent signal. When the signal is weak or drops altogether, the user frustration level grows quickly. It is no fun to be watching an online video, or downloading music and having the low signal slow down the process for you.Here are some easy tips to improve the power of your Wi-Fi signal transmission and reception.Take your wireless router and move it to amore central point in the home. If this is not possible due to the input from the modem, you should be able to move it within the room it is in, away from metal cabinets, and hopefully off the floor and to a higher and less blocked spot. Upgrade the wireless router’s antenna. One great idea is to make a parabolic antenna of your own, using the directions we found at the Ampercent site, http://www.ampercent.com/boost-your-routers-wifi-signal-by-using-a-homemade-parabolic-reflector/6286/ . Here the author shows you a simple method to really help the signal at low cost. While you on this site you can search for other computer and internet tips that are helpful. If you would rather buy a high gain antenna, that will work too.Get rid of you pc based wireless card. Instead of using the often outdated receiver in your laptop or desktop computer, add a USB receiver. These are plug and play in most cases, and have a higher gain antenna built in to pull in the signal from you router. If you are trying to cover a larger area, you can add a repeater. This is an antenna that picks up the signal from your router and rebroadcasts it to carry it further and strengthen the wave. A great idea for bigger outdoor coverage spaces and larger homes or offices.Because wireless routers broadcast on a few different channels, sometimes you can improve the signal by changing the channel that yours is using. You can read more about this on the Netgear router site, http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1027//improving-wireless-range3A-tuning-equipment.Whatever works to improve your Wi-Fi signal, it will also improve your internet experience.