Is it possible? Wireless in a 3-level townhouse

Hi All -

I am thinking about purchasing a laptop (dv6000z from costco) and a router. I have a desktop with comcast cable and comcast phone on the 3rd level (top level) of the townhouse. My goal is to have wireless internet on the 1st and 2nd levels. First question...is it possible to have a decent internet connection on the 1st level if the cable modem is on the 3rd level?

Bestbuy said yes, and that I should get the Linksys SpeedBooster 802.11g Wireless Broadband Router, Model: WRT54GS. Will that router suffice? The price is right that is for sure ($69).

Also, would a more expensive wireless card increase my connectivity? There are three choices for the dv6000z:

802.11b/g WLAN [included]
802.11a/b/g WLAN and Bluetooth [add $24.00]
802.11 pre-n WLAN and Bluetooth [add $52.00]

I am sure with lots of money anything is possible, but I'd like to keep the whole package as cheap as I can. Thanks!

 

For a three level townhouse I would recommend a Wireless N-Router with a N Wireless adapter on your notebook.

That way you wouldn't have to fumble with repeaters and such.

Or if you wish to save money a Wireless G network with a good Linksys (Or any good name brand) router would work as well.

 

It depends on the construction of your townhouse, but I'd say it's possible. Remember that the default "both antennae straight up" gives a better horizontal spread than vertical, so you might want to turn them, or the router itself, on a 90-degree angle so that the antennae are parallel with the floor.

In a worst-case scenario, you could pick up an external antenna for the router, or (at your own risk) flash it with a third-party firmware and up the radio output.

 

I am of limited technical capability, so flashing with a third-party firmware is not likely to happen But I can certainly turn the router parallel to the floor!

If the connection is spotty on the 1st level, perhaps a range booster on the 2nd level would be the solution?

 

Depends on the construction of the townhouse and placement of your router. I used to have my router in the basement of our condo, and could get 80% signal strength in my second floor bedroom on the opposite side of the house.

If you have metal studs, you will probably experience problems, or if you put your router anywhere near plumbing or furnaces, etc. you will possibly get interference or signal blocking. There are often higher-gain antennas that you can buy (I have a set, they're expensive but they keep signal quality much higher), and range boosters apparently work quite well. A 3rd party firmware really isn't a big deal... it's often as easy as simply updating your firmware from the manufacturer, just browse to a file and click "Upload". So don't count that out. I'd suggest getting a WRT54GL, which is easily upgradeable with the DD-WRT firmware.

If you have access to all levels of the townhouse, it's usually quite possible to just use another cable outlet in the house, something more central, and then just set up the desktop with a wireless card to access the Internet, rather than it's current wired setup. Something to consider.

 

I am considering that. But that brings up another wireless issue I have yet to explore. I have comcast internet phone. Although now that I think about it, if I moved the cable/phone modem to the 2nd floor, as long as their is a cable outlet and phone jack nearby I should be ok. The cable/phone modem doesn't need to be connected to the pc for good phone reception, correct?

 

You can connect the modem/router any where you have cable. I would move it to the 1st floor, it should then provide coverage you need.

On the antennas, if dual, have them sticking horizontal to floor and parallel to each other. That config will concentrate the field up and down as mentioned earlier. If they are not high gain antennas, replacing them with 5-7dbi should double you coverage.

 

I have my router in the basement. On the top floor, I have no problem picking up a strong signal.

You shouldn't have any issues.

 

if you have an all-concrete or heavy brick house, use the pre-N wireless + pre-N router (not the $69 that was offered to you).

if you have a wooden house with some gypsum - as are a lot of the houses in the western US, it's a lot better in earthquakes - then you can just use the normal router.

if you install the WRT router and find it's not good enough, you can connect an external antenna to it to boost the signal. since you want to install on the 3rd floor, you could put a cheapo directional antenna all the way up there pointing down towards the rest of the house - that'll blast through your walls for sure. don't need more than 6 or 8 dbi gain directional antenna for that.

the pre-N wireless is generally way better for reception inside the house, but it's still expensive - I think the normal WRT router will be a better option.