Help me improve my wireless coverage

[DoPo]

Spoiler: Background

Well, I moved yesterday and my new place is nice and all but there is one big flaw - I have wireless coverage on a small area roughly 2 m x 2 m in the middle of the (for a lack of a better therm) hall, which means it's a long way (at least 5 steps) from any convenient place for using the Internet wireless. I'm catching the signall from my neighbour (not stealing don't worry, we're buddies) who lives on the floor below. Also, there is an university building about 10 m away from my flat. Like literally that much - I can catch glimpses from my Uni's wireless too, but not enough to connect.

So my question is - what would be the best way to get the wireless to cover my flat? I was thinking a wireless repeater, so I get signal all over the place, but I have no experience with those, so I don't know if that's as useful as I think it is. Also, if it is, I'm not sure which one to go for - there were several cheap ones I found for about £20 on eBay and Amazon.

What I'm saying is, I'd welcome any advice here. Thanks in advance.

 

[evilneko]

Change channels, ask your buddy what channel his is on and move yours at least three channels away from his. If that doesn't help, ask him to decrease his transmit power if his firmware allows it. If that fails, increase yours, if your firmware allows it. Consider also moving the router.

Actually, ask him to turn his down first. He's obviously putting out too much.

 

[DoPo]

Sorry, I didn't make it clear - I'm supposed to be using his internet, I don't have any routers on my own. I'd like to amplify it in some way. I was thinking of setting a Linux box that just rebroadcasts that, but I don't have any spare machines, so I'm looking for another option.

 

[Rastien]

Spoiler: Background

Well, I moved yesterday and my new place is nice and all but there is one big flaw - I have wireless coverage on a small area roughly 2 m x 2 m in the middle of the (for a lack of a better therm) hall, which means it's a long way (at least 5 steps) from any convenient place for using the Internet wireless. I'm catching the signall from my neighbour (not stealing don't worry, we're buddies) who lives on the floor below. Also, there is an university building about 10 m away from my flat. Like literally that much - I can catch glimpses from my Uni's wireless too, but not enough to connect.

So my question is - what would be the best way to get the wireless to cover my flat? I was thinking a wireless repeater, so I get signal all over the place, but I have no experience with those, so I don't know if that's as useful as I think it is. Also, if it is, I'm not sure which one to go for - there were several cheap ones I found for about £20 on eBay and Amazon.

What I'm saying is, I'd welcome any advice here. Thanks in advance.

Hehe dude make a pringle can directional antenna, i made one myself for bouncing my bros connection from his flat across the road to my flat worked like a charm

http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html

The guide above should cover anything the reason i say use a pringle can is the lid wedges on nicly. Buy a couple to get it right and its basic stuff but someone familar with electronics wouldn't go a miss

 

[evilneko]

Sorry, I didn't make it clear - I'm supposed to be using his internet, I don't have any routers on my own. I'd like to amplify it in some way. I was thinking of setting a Linux box that just rebroadcasts that, but I don't have any spare machines, so I'm looking for another option.

Oh, I see. I see no reason a simple repeater wouldn't work. I've never used one though.

 

[DoPo]

Spoiler: Background

Well, I moved yesterday and my new place is nice and all but there is one big flaw - I have wireless coverage on a small area roughly 2 m x 2 m in the middle of the (for a lack of a better therm) hall, which means it's a long way (at least 5 steps) from any convenient place for using the Internet wireless. I'm catching the signall from my neighbour (not stealing don't worry, we're buddies) who lives on the floor below. Also, there is an university building about 10 m away from my flat. Like literally that much - I can catch glimpses from my Uni's wireless too, but not enough to connect.

So my question is - what would be the best way to get the wireless to cover my flat? I was thinking a wireless repeater, so I get signal all over the place, but I have no experience with those, so I don't know if that's as useful as I think it is. Also, if it is, I'm not sure which one to go for - there were several cheap ones I found for about £20 on eBay and Amazon.

What I'm saying is, I'd welcome any advice here. Thanks in advance.

Hehe dude make a pringle can directional antenna, i made one myself for bouncing my bros connection from his flat across the road to my flat worked like a charm

http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html

The guide above should cover anything the reason i say use a pringle can is the lid wedges on nicly. Buy a couple to get it right and its basic stuff but someone familar with electronics wouldn't go a miss

http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/images/pringlesonstandbig.jpg

That actually sounds quite good Under normal circumstances, I'd have tried it right away. But currently, I lack many of the parts...yeah, especially the easy bits (wire, bolts). I'll have to go shopping for them.

Hmm, now that I think about it, I also don't have a clear view to the university network...and I'd like that - it makes the year so much easier.

I'll try this, though. I'm still open for other suggestions, just in case.

 

[DoPo]

Sorry, I didn't make it clear - I'm supposed to be using his internet, I don't have any routers on my own. I'd like to amplify it in some way. I was thinking of setting a Linux box that just rebroadcasts that, but I don't have any spare machines, so I'm looking for another option.

Oh, I see. I see no reason a simple repeater wouldn't work. I've never used one though.

Mainly, I don't know how good their antennas are. So, can I go for the cheaper ones or not. I'll have to dig around and research, it seems.