Looking for a good wireless network antenna

May 31, 2010 3:12 PM

Wireless Network antenna: Anyone use one/can recommend one?

Hi,

I currently use a standard DSL modem for my 1-laptop house, but the signal cuts out frequently. The company can't fix my problem long-term (I don't want to switch carriers because I might be moving soon).

So, as a stopgap, I'm thinking of using a an antenna to boost the range of wireless networks my computer can pick up. There is one unsecured network called "free public wifi" that drifts in (1 bar) and out of the range of networks my computer can identify.

But I'm pretty much a neophyte when it comes to stuff like this. I looked through previous questions and can't tell if I can apply them to my question or not, due to terms I am not familiar with.

Perhaps needless to say, I would need something not very DIY, ideally something like a USB antenna or the like. Anyone have any recommendations for me?

posted by mreleganza to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

free public wifi isn't actually free public wifi. It is a ad hoc network a neighbor of yours picked up so even if you had full strength you wouldn't get on the internet. In fact, you may even pick up the same bit of "virus" from that system.
posted by birdherder at 3:24 PM on May 31, 2010

The easiest solution is probably a USB wireless stick that has an omnidirectional external antenna. Hawking makes ones that, in my experience, get better reception than my laptop's built-in wireless.
posted by zippy at 6:01 PM on May 31, 2010

I just bought this Alpha Network antenna, and it's discovered a number of new wireless networks in the area that my older antenna wasn't finding. Also, more bars/better connectivity on the networks that I was seeing before, and the whole thing was as easy as plugging in a USB cable.
posted by carsonb at 6:30 PM on May 31, 2010

(sorry to hijack the thread)

wow ! That Alfa looks like what i might be looking for. Is it really just a USB antenna, you plug it in and you receive the network you had problems receiving before?

AAAAND... what if i want to connect 2 computers, i buy two antennas or do i put a switch or something....

thanks !
posted by madeinitaly at 1:35 AM on June 1, 2010

I have an Engenius wireless adapter that solved the same problem for me. It is a slightly higher power than an internal wifi card and with some adapters, can be hooked up to a better external antenna. If you do go the route of external adapter and external antenna combo, make sure the antenna and adapter have compatible plugs. There are a number of connectors that are used for hooking up an antenna.

A couple of years ago. I was able to get wifi from an unsecured network until I got my own access point. Not the most honest thing to do but I was stuck for about a month until I could get the $$ for my own access point. It worked, but it came with a lot of caveats like dropped signal, noise interference and slow speed. Having my own wifi ap is certainly a ten fold improvement over leeching off of someone else's signal.
posted by lampshade at 5:49 AM on June 1, 2010