Wireless Interface to the Internet

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Fri Jul 11, 2014 7:50 am

I have two computers that I routinely use to go on the web. One is in my shop and the other is in my office (in the house about 70' away from the shop). The shop is in an attached garage.

When I have both computers in my office, one operates at 72.0 mbps and the other at 144 mbps. Signal strength on both is excellent. They connect to and disconnect from the web with no problems at all.

First question: why do they operate at different speeds?

But that is not the major issue. When I relocate the shop computer to the shop (50' or 60' away) the signal strength drops way off and connection to the web becomes doubtful. When connected, the interface speed remains the same on both.

What causes this? More importantly, what can I do to make the connection in the shop as reliable as the connect in the office?

PS: Additional information. I moved the modem/router to the kitchen which is about have way in between. The results were predictable. Connection speed and signal strength dropped off on both but I was able to connect to both. Obviously, distance from the router is a key factor. But, at the same time, I have excellent signal strength showing for other networks in the area. The guy across the street from me comes in great. I can't connect because I don't know his pass word but I am sure it would connect.

Maybe I need to find out which modem/router he uses and get one like it. I use a NETGEAR modem router.

beatnik · Post by **beatnik** » Fri Jul 11, 2014 8:29 am

Maybe get a repeater or something to boost the signal to the further computer.

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Fri Jul 11, 2014 8:35 am

Dusty, if you have an antenna or two coming out of your modem, here is a hack to extend the range.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Jul 11, 2014 8:40 am

beatnik wrote:Maybe get a repeater or something to boost the signal to the further computer.

Wire em.

There are different methods(are both computers the same protocol(a,b,n ...))?

Repeaters typically drop the throughput rate.(they have to both listen and repeat simultaneously)

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Fri Jul 11, 2014 8:43 am

The signal strength of most of the routers is very minimal. When you double the distance from the router to the computer the signal strength is lowered to 1/4 of the original strength. Something about the reciprocal of the square of the increase of the distance. Triple the distance would reduce the strength
to 1/9 etc.
Try raising the height of the router or the antenna. The height of the antenna I think would have more of an effect.
Other things like house wiring, wire mesh under stucco and even mirrors in the house can have an effect.
Also make sure that the antennas are vertical. Cross polarization can can reduce signal by 90% in some cases.
Bill V

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:06 am

Dusty, this is (part) of what I do in my daily job. We've installed nearly 90 wifi access points across 4 buildings just this summer. There are really too many factors involved and too many unknown variables to give a definitive answer to your questions.

Distance from the wireless access point (in your case, your Netgear router) does play a large role in signal strength. But so does the transmit and receive strength of the antenna(s) on the router and the computers, any interference (radio interference from microwaves, cordless phones, bluetooth devices, other wireless access points, etc) or obstructions (wifi goes through drywall almost like it's not even there - brick, glass, metal, and other materials not so much).

On my campus, before we do a major wifi upgrade or installation, we do an active site survey. That involves setting up a single access point and walking around with a laptop that has a map of the building, clicking on the map where you are as you walk around, and special software then gathers data on signal loss, interferers, etc and computes the best locations to put the new APs for the desired coverage.

What model (including revision number) is your Netgear router? Some routers have an option in the software to adjust the tx and rx strength of the antenna. You could try boosting that as well as moving it closer to the shop.

Another thing would be to try a different wifi channel. If the channel is set to auto, try either 1, 6, or 11. Or if it's already on one of those, try another one. If your neighbor has his wifi on channel 1, then using channel 6 or 11 would keep him from interfering with you.

As for the two computers and their different speeds, if they are always at those speeds, then my first guess is that that's just what they support. Is the one that connects at 72mpbs the older of the two?

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:44 am

It is good to know that what I am experiencing is not unexpected - I think.

Well, I am screwed on the hack antenna. My modem/router (Netgear DGN2200v4) does not have an exposed antenna.

There is a microwave and two wireless phones that are typically between the office and the shop. The main station for the wireless phone is also in between the two. I do assume that unless someone is on the phone or using the microwave that their presence can be ignored.

The two computers are definitely of different vintage but I have my doubts that this is my issue. They are both running XP and they are both wireless to the access point.

My neighbors do not seem to interfere with my connections but maybe I don't recognize this type interference. I am on channel 1 as is one of my neighbors. The others are on other channels. They are there all the time and I normally have no problem connecting with this computer. The one in the shop, which is closer to my neighbors, is the one with the connection problem. But, being closer to them also results in that computer being the furthest removed from the access point.

I do use two different wireless adapters on the two computers but I have swapped them around without improving the situation. Is there such a thing as a "hot wireless adapter".

I do intend to find out how to change channels and output power (if that is possible). The procedure is not intuitively obvious. Oh what did we ever do without the internet.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:07 am

I think you answered my question when you said you swapped the wireless adapters in both computers. That was my first guess I thought perhaps one was G receiver and the other an N. Since both protocols was popular when XP came out.

I find many things effect wireless. I have my router in my office and my wife's laptop is out in the family room. Some days the signal strength is full and other times it is reduced. Why who knows nothing changed other than time I checked them.

Sometimes my wife's laptop takes forever to make the wireless connection but when it does it is full strength like wise sometimes it is almost instantly connected and as often as not it is at a reduced strength level.

Why????

STB · Post by **STB** » Fri Jul 11, 2014 11:43 am

Dusty
Check out Matthias Wandel's solution to low WiFi signal.
http://woodgears.ca/misc/wifi_dish.html

roy_okc · Post by **roy_okc** » Fri Jul 11, 2014 12:04 pm

Dusty,

I have experienced similar problems for my shop computer. Besides distance, my problem is compounded by foil lined foam insulation on the sides of my shop; additionally, the walls (brick) of my house reduce signal strength. I tried 2 or 3 different antennae/adapters that at best would have sporadic connection for a couple minutes. I added longer antennae on my router to little affect. I finally tried this unit: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B007 ... UTF8&psc=1, which helped considerably but still had good and bad days/hours. I have it placed above wall level or I do start encountering problems due to the Faraday cage effect caused by the foiled foam. This was a bit of a bear to get working on XP, but it is plug and play under Windows 7.

I finally bought a wireless access point, http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004 ... UTF8&psc=1, that I placed by the wall nearest my shed and I've not had a problem since. It turns out that my router, located in the middle of my house, apparently has poor transmit or receive as I also use the new AP most of the time throughout the house to include at the opposite end of the house and have a better connection.

This has really helped tremendously in my shop. I have a laser engraver and CNC that are connected to that computer. I do much design stuff in my house, saving files to my always-on server, but also do some new files and edit files on the shop computer. Before, I would have to use a USB drive to transport files out and back and would invariably forget a file or few and have to go back to get them. Plus, no web access for research! Now, no problems transferring files or accessing the web.

Roy

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