Wi-fi booster thingy

SuperTonic · Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:55 am Post subject: Wi-fi booster thingy

I recall someone mentioning a wi-fi booster thingy on one of the other threads but I can't find it on the search here which is something of a pain in the arse. I can get 2 bars out of 5 when trying to pick up the local cybercafe from my house, if I can bring it up to 3 or 4 it'll be practical to use.

I know a repeater would be one option, but trying to explain that one to most of the computer shops here seems impossible, given the staff invariably think a computer is an advanced nail-cleaning device. Mind, that's not much different to the UK (anyone here had the PC World experience? Not pretty so I gave up on them and bought my stuff off dabs.com instead).

So.. can someone tell me what it was that was recommended, and suggest ways of explaining to the computer shop people (I've tried a few including IT-pawin and hitech something or other) so that they might actually find the bloody thing hidden in their store rooms somewhere.
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crazy88 · Professional Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 451

You think you've got problems ? Try explaining a concrete pencil vibrator to the girls in home pro ! Illustrations only make things worse .

Dont bother learning to say "how do I make the internet faster" in Thai, they will probably tell you to type quicker .

On a serious note i could do with one also .maybe Buksida knows ?

Crazy 88

crazy88 · Professional Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 451

Or Huahindolly ?

Crazy 88

SuperTonic · Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:52 pm Post subject:

Hope someone knows something as I think Hutch is going to make me do something very un-buddhist!

I've tried stuff in Thai, English, Spanish, and any other language I can think of but to no avail (the Spanish was partly out of desperation and partly to show off) seriously do they not think to employ someone who knows what a computer is?

"You have wifi repeater?"
"eh?"
"Wi fi repeater? Make wifi signal strong"
"bluetooth?"
"Mai ow.. ow wireless.. tan dee"
"ko chan mai"
"oh bugger it"
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Libraries gave us power, then work came and made us free. What price now for a shallow piece of dignity?

Korkenzieher · Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 4:10 pm Post subject:

I have some e-books on wireless stuff, but they are about 1.5M each, rar files. I can pass them on to you when I turn up there after May 1, if you are interested, but a cheap and cheerful way to get what you want is to build a cantenna. They are also commercially available, but in essence, it is a directional wave guide which you make out of...

A pringles can!

No kidding. Look it up on Google.

edit: The O'Reilley book 'Wireless Hacks' (one of the books I have) has instructions, and they have posted them online.

http://www.oreillynet.com/etel/blog/2001/07/antenna_on_the_cheap_er_chip.html

SuperTonic · Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 4:22 pm Post subject:

Yeah that'd be cool.. my internet's too bloody slow to send any ebooks online but I guess I could grab it at a cybercafe. I've got one minor problem which is that my wi-fi is internal, which is something of a pain in the arse, means I can't really add a cantenna or anything. I had some trouble when I last tried to get a shop to sell me a Cardbus Wi-Fi so trying to get an external one could be a problem. Seriously, don't they want my money?
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Libraries gave us power, then work came and made us free. What price now for a shallow piece of dignity?

Korkenzieher · Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 4:38 pm Post subject:

Hmm. It does kind of assume that you have an ariel some place. Of course, if you were able to bounce it off a wifi router (configured as a access-port), that might work, but not too practical if you are 'out and about'. Plus, if I remember correctly, to connect using an access port, you need the admin password of the serving module.

norm · Specialist Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 219

Does anyone have any idea how far you can get with the wireless signal going through condominium walls? I need to go through 3 or 4 concrete walls and about 50mtrs.

I tried to ask at the computer store but could not get them to understand the question. But then I probably could not have understood the answer so we are even. Rolling Eyes

buksida · Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:55 pm Post subject:

Walls are generally not too good with the signal, one or two maybe ok but four would be pushing it unless you have an industrial strength booster. Best thing to do is simply give it a go and find out where your own little "hot spots" are within the condo.
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bj.blackowitz · Specialist Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 162

you can not make the signal stronger
BUT you might enhance your reception
get a (or build) a special Wifi Antenna ( your wificard or computer must support an external antenna.
a link 4 u

http://www.cantenna.com/

good luck

norm · Specialist Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 219

Just had the wireless card installed in my PC and it has a external antenna. Will get a wireless system and see how it goes. They told me if it didn't work I could take it back, if I did it the same day.

Thanks for the info. Very Happy

STEVE G · Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:25 pm Post subject: