| As a computer tech with over 35 years in the | | | | laptop slightly might be all you'll need to do to |
| business, I've seen a lot of Internet connection | | | | improve the reception. |
| problems. That's especially true with WIFI. | | | | In general, I've found that USB Internet adapters |
| The most common problem is in establishing a | | | | work much better than laptop internal receivers. |
| 'good' connection between the remote computer | | | | The reason is...these external adapters come with |
| and the wireless router. Many people don't realize | | | | a three to five foot cord allowing the adapter to |
| that just because you're receiving a signal from | | | | be placed high in the air and away from obstacles |
| your wireless router, (AP) you still may not be | | | | that might be blocking the WIFI signal. |
| able to log onto the Internet. Here's the problem. | | | | Unfortunately, this means dragging around an |
| A weak or noisy internet connection is usually | | | | extra device which is not what I really want to |
| caused by lost or scrambled data packets. These | | | | do. Luckily, in most cases your internal WIFI |
| damaged packets are constantly being 're-sent' | | | | device will get the job done just fine. |
| between the router and the receiving computer. | | | | If you need to reach out to an AP that's |
| This will slow down your connection considerably | | | | hundreds or even thousands of feet away, you'll |
| and could even keep you from getting on the | | | | need to investigate adding a high-gain antenna and |
| Internet at all. | | | | a USB Internet adapter. This is actually old |
| There are several ways you can improve these | | | | technology. Ham radio buffs have been building |
| weak WIFI signals. The easiest is to move the | | | | hi-gain antennas for decades allowing them to |
| wireless router. If possible, try to locate your | | | | receive signals from around the world. There are |
| router near the center of the building. I've picked | | | | various antenna designs available that practically |
| up WIFI signals from as far away as 1,000 feet | | | | anyone can build. For a few dollars, you can boost |
| when there were no obstacles blocking the | | | | your range considerably. |
| transmission. On the other hand, I've also had a | | | | The world record for a WIFI connection using |
| hard time just getting the signal to go from one | | | | 'only' a hi-gain antenna is 238 miles! You're |
| end of a house to the other. This can be | | | | probably not planning on challenging any records, |
| especially true if the router is located on a | | | | but it's pretty common to see people connecting |
| different floor than the receiving computer. The | | | | to wireless routers up to a mile or more away, |
| more walls and floors the signal passes through, | | | | just by using DIY antennas. |
| the weaker it gets. | | | | If you're not satisfied with your wireless Internet |
| If you can't locate the router near the center of | | | | connection, try some of the things I've mentioned. |
| the building, there are several other things you | | | | They should help. If you're still having problems |
| can do. First, try moving the receiving computer | | | | then I'd look into building your own hi-gain WIFI |
| to a different location. Even turning it in a different | | | | antenna. It will provide the ultimate wireless |
| direction may help. Laptops often have the WIFI | | | | performance. |
| antenna built into the monitor so just turning the | | | | |