Coverage Area

[blide]

Ok I put in a wireless access point today and it's seems to be lacking signal. In the picture below I tried to diagram the location of all of the major obstacles. I'm using just a Stock Dlink-700 AP and I believe it use the the standard 2db antenna. If I replace the antenna with a 6dbi( http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=57 ) would that resolve my problem? If not I'm open to any new ideas....


Thanks


http://myweb.cableone.net/blide/coverage.jpg


My goal is to cover all of the tables and a patio area to the left of the Ice Box

[M/Q]

I guess I am a little slow here. Can you tell me where the node is in relation to the room. I do not understand the red coverage areas either. Is the node way down in the left corner or are you using that to just tell what the device is.

The antenna you describe will have considerable more gain, but you pay for that by losing coverage angle. Did you see that the horizontal coverage angle is only 60deg. And at close quarters that may not be what you want or need. But if you can put the node at one end of the area you want to cover it will probably fill out the room, similar to the large red ellipse you show.

[blide]

Yes the AP is in the bottom left closet. I'm kind of confiused on the angle degree's you are talking about? The red is basically all the areas I'm able to connect and I want to expand it over the tables and an are left of the ice box.

[james]

If the device is down in the corner, consider relocating it to a location somewhat closer to the tables, if that is possible. Also, consider using a directional antenna; I might guess that something with a wide beam could cover all your tables from the AP's current location.

How big is this area? Can you at least estimate (Width and Length)?

[blide]

From the access point to the Ice Box is about 24ft

From the access point to the door past the tables is about 64ft

Sorry for the lack of info - I know better than that

[M/Q]

It appears that the bar and ice box are doing a number on your signal, really blocking it. Is the node positioned lower vertically than both of those? The horizontal coverage angle is the angle produced by the antenna. If you kept the node where it is, added the new antenna and pointed at the very top table in the image you would probably have the right coverage as that is about 60degs. Do you need coverage where you have the red areas now or is it just for the table areas? I would agree with James and try to move it to one end of the coverage area and then with the directional antenna you picked out it will stay in the building and cover the correct area. Almost, if it could be above the ice box would be a good place, if there is not any RF interference from the ice box.