Signal Strength

[mugs]

This is my first post here, so be nice! I have a wired LAN, with a NetGear router. I purchases a Netgear Access Point and a Netgear card for my laptop and set them up. I have a one level house, which is brick, but also has cinderblock behind the brick. In the front of the house I get good signal strenght, but in the back it is kind of iffy. In the very back I have to go through cinder block because it is an addition to the original house. I tried putting the AP in the attic and that seemed to help the signal in the back of the house, but it weakened it in the front. I am looking for ideas and suggestions to get a better signal strenght. Going outside the house, the signal strenght is weak, unless I am opposite the windows in the dining room which has a straight shot to the AP. I appreciate help, and ideas. Thanks.

[gvenditto]

I guess a sledgehammer is out of the question? <g>

have you played with the location of the AP in the room? height, etc.? it probalby won't make a major difference but could add a few pct points.

[mlew]

Try a high gain omni antenna (10db should do it). I usually get my stuff from Hyperlinktech.com (no publicity intended)

[mugs]

Thanks for the suggestion of the antenna. I will check out the site. Does this attach to the WAP or the card? I have the Netgear ME102 WAP and the Netgear ME401 card.

[mlew]

To the card. Make sure the antenna comes with a pigtail, or make sure u get one. Install the antenna in the cieling pointing down if you put it on the last floor or pointing up if on the lower levels. Try to always put it above the interference source (your cinder wall).

ML

[mugs]

I dont see the point of attaching it to the card, how am I supposed to move around the house that way?

[mlew]

U attached the antenna to the AP. Unless your AP doesn't supported, then u are out of luck :)

[sidgrea]

Read this it may help with getting around your attenuation problem.

http://www.nycwireless.net/articles/enclosure/