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Re: WI FI signal weak

Subject: Re: WI FI signal weak
From: Whiskers <catwheezel@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2006 13:38:29 +0000
Newsgroups: 24hoursupport.helpdesk
On 2006-12-31, caroline <nevermind@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> My daughter lives in New York in a converted hotel.
> They have WI FI which she pays for but she can only receive it in one part
> of her flat.
> The company say " its just the way it is with this building".
> I have been told that they should get a stronger WI FI router as its not
> possible to increase the power of the networking cad although a friend said
> put a Pringles container near the networking card and it should increase the
> signal.
> What is the answer, she is using a Belkin UK networking card in New York.

She could try a different 'wifi' card in her computer; possibly, as 
already suggested, one that allows the use of an external aerial [antenna] 
that can by placed in the best location and connected to the computer by 
wire.  Getting one that is the same make as the 'access point' might help; 
some people find that some brands don't work well together, although in 
theory the make of wifi card on the computer shouldn't make any 
difference.

If it's important to her to have her computer wire-free and able to 
connect to the internet from anywhere inside her flat [appartment] then 
she could look into setting up a 'relay' system for herself (and possibly 
sharing it with neighbouring flats); essentially, a wifi gadget to connect 
to the communal network and pass the signals to and from a local 'access 
point' operating on a different 'channel'.  I don't know off-hand of any 
off-the-shelf boxes for doing this, although such things may exist, but it 
should be possible to assemble something using a low-specification 
computer and wireless cards.

The regulations about signal strength, frequencies, etc, vary in different 
countries, so it would be wise to buy the equipment locally and take 
advice from local 'experts'.

-- 
-- ^^^^^^^^^^
--  Whiskers 
-- ~~~~~~~~~~

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