How to Catch a Wireless Network

Dear Friends,

How do you extend the range of your notebook's wireless card?

My situtation is that I live, literally, across the street from my University. A University building, that broadcasts a wireless network signal, is no more that 70 feet outside my window. The actual distance to the point of transmittion would be approiximately 100 feet inside the building (of course). I have used two laptops, a new Dell 6000 and an old Toshiba Satellite, both with standard networking capabilities. Both laptop recieve a week signal form the univerisity, which in my opinion causes for the observed unstable network connection. I have also just ordered a new Thinkpad z60m with an Intel Pro ABC, most expensive, networking card. One reason that I was attracted to this notebook was that the wireless antenna is placed by the upper corner of the screen. Since I am allowed access to my University based on my enrollement, I would like to take advantage of this opertunity and stop paying a monthly broadband cable bill.

Questions:
Does any one think that this new laptop will solve my problem?
If not, what equipment would I have to purchase to solve my problem?

I assume that a power antenna would useful, but haven't begun to understand how it will attach to the laptop.

P.S. I'm not interested in an hack jobs

Any advise anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely, David, a.k.a. Superfly

 

If the new notebook has trouble with the distance also, you could try using a repeater and putting the antenna outside or in the window closest to the school...

You'll also want to check with your networking people there too... just because if you add a repeater you may extend the range further than what they'd like....

 

Here are a few options, all of which I use:

1. Get a pcmcia wireless adapter like the Orinoco Gold. It has an internal antenna as well as a connector for an external antenna.
2. Get a pcmcia wireless adapter like the high power EnGenius (200mW). It comes in two flavors: one with an internal antenna and the other with two connectors for external antennas. I use the internal ant. one.
3. Get a pcmcia wireless adapter like the Parker Vision Signal Max. Claims to have a 1 mile range in an open field when tested with its brand of Router. I've tested it with a Linksys Wireless router and it works well at 300 feet. No, I didn't for one minute believe the 1 mile claim, but 300 feet "ain't too shabby". It has an internal antenna.
4. Get a USB wireless adapter - I use a Belkin F5D6050.

All of these are only the 'b' versions but that is more than adequate for Internet use.

Hope that helps.

 

Hey, If you want the best signal strength do somthing like this...

http://www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz/