they have this one at the geeks - my current wireless router is in basement and if this puppy worked I could put it on first floor and get rest of the house
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid ... ngGearmain
anybody used a wireless network extender?
anybody used a wireless network extender?
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Extenders/repeaters rarely work well.
You should put the existing access point in as central location as possible, and as high as possible. Since you're in the basement, stap it to the ceiling of the basement as close to the center of the house as possible.
For better coverage you're better off using two APs, both in the basement, each centered on half the house and stapped to the ceiling. Keep the APs away from metal (metal ducts, etc) that can block or reflect the signal. Keep them also away from interference like electrical motors (AC/Furnace blower) and flourescent light fixtures.
If your house is one story, this should more than do the job. If your house is 2 story then you may have signal strength issues on the 2nd floor.
Some other tips:
Always buy "Dual Diversity" APs (these have 2 antennas instead of 1). Keep one antenna vertical and the other almost horizontal for the best signal.
If your current AP is not an 802.11G then go out and buy a G router. G has MUCH better range. Ditto for the recievers. Modern G gear has much better range than stuff made just a few years ago. Avoid the newer pre-802.11N stuff. It claims better range but so far that's a bunch of bunk.
Your receiver antennas should not be buried behind any metal (like a metal computer case) which will block the signal. This is why I don't like WiFi PCI cards - USB Wifi cards are better - you can position the unit's antenna in an ideal place, which is as high as possible (ideally on top of a bookshelf). Higher improved the line of sight.
If at all possible - and especially if you have a 2 story home - try to run a network cable to the attic and put an AP up there. That's the ideal location for one.
Hope this helps...
You should put the existing access point in as central location as possible, and as high as possible. Since you're in the basement, stap it to the ceiling of the basement as close to the center of the house as possible.
For better coverage you're better off using two APs, both in the basement, each centered on half the house and stapped to the ceiling. Keep the APs away from metal (metal ducts, etc) that can block or reflect the signal. Keep them also away from interference like electrical motors (AC/Furnace blower) and flourescent light fixtures.
If your house is one story, this should more than do the job. If your house is 2 story then you may have signal strength issues on the 2nd floor.
Some other tips:
Always buy "Dual Diversity" APs (these have 2 antennas instead of 1). Keep one antenna vertical and the other almost horizontal for the best signal.
If your current AP is not an 802.11G then go out and buy a G router. G has MUCH better range. Ditto for the recievers. Modern G gear has much better range than stuff made just a few years ago. Avoid the newer pre-802.11N stuff. It claims better range but so far that's a bunch of bunk.
Your receiver antennas should not be buried behind any metal (like a metal computer case) which will block the signal. This is why I don't like WiFi PCI cards - USB Wifi cards are better - you can position the unit's antenna in an ideal place, which is as high as possible (ideally on top of a bookshelf). Higher improved the line of sight.
If at all possible - and especially if you have a 2 story home - try to run a network cable to the attic and put an AP up there. That's the ideal location for one.
Hope this helps...
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“The Government of Spain will not applaud those who set the world on fire just because they show up with a bucket.” - Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez

“The Government of Spain will not applaud those who set the world on fire just because they show up with a bucket.” - Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez

if you have a 2.4GHz cordless phone down in the basement, you may get interference. if you find this is the case, go to a 5.8GHz cordless phone.
i've never had really good results with wifi and basements. i forget what these things are called or who makes them, but when my dad got broadband in his house (3 story) the installers put in 2 devices that plug from the gateway into the wall socket and carries the signal through the wiring in your house to the point where the other device is plugged in, which becomes the access point.
i've never had really good results with wifi and basements. i forget what these things are called or who makes them, but when my dad got broadband in his house (3 story) the installers put in 2 devices that plug from the gateway into the wall socket and carries the signal through the wiring in your house to the point where the other device is plugged in, which becomes the access point.

