Wow! New laptop increases WiFi range in a BIG way

I just started playing with my new Dell 700m laptop and I can't believe how much better the internal antenna on it is than my old Inspiron 5150. From the exact same point in my house to the same WiFi AP using the same MikroTik abg card I get a 20dB increase in signal...that's approximately a 128 times stronger signal than what I got before. The first thing that clued me into this was when I did a scan and 6 other APs (all running on channel 6, morons) came up instead of 2 that I used to see.

I'm not sure if this improvement is across the board in modern laptops but I would guess so.

Is it possible that this improvement in signal stength would be due to a Centrino processor? It seems unlikely to me but you never know.

Thanks,
Ken

Dell Inspiron 700m PM 2.0GHz
Dell Inspiron 5150 P4 3.06GHz (Almost Dead)

 

Just a note, you probably already know, its not a Centrino processor, its a Centrino Chipset. Pentium M is the processor, but yes, the Centrino chipset helps because its supposed to do that, better wireless, better portable performance, thats what its for.

 

its due to the Intel ProWireless 2200BG Ethernet Card inside which is part of the centrino set.. (Pentium-M Processer, Chipset, and ethernet)

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by 1-s0uljah

 

your new laptop may have a stronger transmit power, check it out, the unit is mW, should be on the specs of your network card

-->Asus M6BNe | Pentium M 1.6GHz Dothan | 1024MB PC2700 Micron Ram | Radeon 9700 Pro 64MB | 80GB Samsung 5400 RPM 8MB Cache | Gigabit LAN | CDRW + DVD Combo |
-->Compal CL56 | Pentium M 1.6GHz Dothan | 1024MB Ram | Radeon 9700 Pro 128MB | 60GB HDD | 10/100 LAN | DVDRW |

 

I noticed on my new laptop, the antena wires ran up into the screen case. My old laptop didn't have this feature.. That may be the difference.

 

You should get your Amateur Radio Liscense and more powerful equipment.

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*yawns and gestures dismissively at his collection of 200mW cards*

--------------
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician
CompTIA A+ and Network+ Certified
"Why are you laughing? Change the name and the story is about you." ~Horatius

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by MoreJuice

 

I've got a buddy who has a 500mW card and I plan to do the same.

That's pretty powerful if you consider that some HT's are only 300mW. Once I get my unit I'm going to convert a parabolic dish I have laying around and shoot broad band over to his house on the other side of the neighborhood. [ ]

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Uhhhh 500 mW output straight from a card would never get approval by the FCC. Which card is that supposed to be and where does it fit? The highest I've ever heard of is only 300 mW.

--------------
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician
CompTIA A+ and Network+ Certified
"Why are you laughing? Change the name and the story is about you." ~Horatius

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>
I am either getting the card or a 1 Watt inline amp. Also getting a 15 db gain antenna.
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

I'm pretty sure your license doesn't cover license exempt frequecies. If you really want to fly your previous idea of a parabolic dish would be much better than the amp and 15dB antenna. I'd guess you could get 30dB easy out of a properly "tuned" 2' dish, and wouldn't suffere the noise penalty the amp would give you. You'll also have a much narrower beam width so you'll piss off fewer wireless ISPs in your area.

If you were in my area and I saw interferance from your device I'd find you in 2 hours and have the FCC there the next day (accept it would be industry Canada for me, as I'm in Canada.)

Ken

Dell Inspiron 700m PM 2.0GHz
Dell Inspiron 5150 P4 3.06GHz (Almost Dead)

 

It is FCC approved for Amateur Radio Operators, Government, and Military applications.

I am either getting the card or a 1 Watt inline amp. Also getting a 15 db gain antenna. Shazing!

I'm not sure of the model; I will have to ask.

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The problem is that every Wireless Internet Service Provider out there uses the same low powered equipment that we use in our homes (except with bigger antennas). If you make your equipment much louder then it is very easy to spot. The reason I say 2 hours is that you could be many miles away (possibly 20 or more if you have line of site), and it might take a while to figure out which direction you are in if you are blowing up an omni directional antenna.

What exact frequencies does your license allow you to use? Anything at all? That seems strange as you'd be able to blow up cell providers and all manner of other licensed operators.

Ken

Dell Inspiron 700m PM 2.0GHz
Dell Inspiron 5150 P4 3.06GHz (Almost Dead)

 

As I said before, my liscense allows me to use the equipment I have listed. It gives me the ability to use greater power than an unliscensed user. It may not be the case in Canada as the Amateur Liscense structure is different there, however, in the United States we do have the ability to do so.

2 Hours is a pretty long time to go on a fox hunt for such a low power unit. If there were someone transmiting at a Watt in my vicinity I could find them in roughly 10 minutes. Or the time it takes me to walk in that direction and knock on their door, car window, etc.

The FCC wouldn't come knock on my door. They would send a Notice of Apparent Liability if I were breaking any regulations rules or laws. If I failed to respond or cease operations they would then come to my door. usually two field agents, and would request that I let them inspect my equipment. If I refused they would then come back with a warrent. Yadda yadda; in other words, the FCC isn't very quick to respond to something like that.

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It allows me to use the 2.4Ghz range among other things. x_x I would try to find the place in the Part 97 rules but it'd take a while.

I cannot use cell frequencies obviously and anything that falls outside my liscense. If I listed all the bands it would take a while.

www.arrl.org is a good reference.

I'm not suggesting that I'm going to use 1 Watt. @_@ That would be ridiculous.

There are plans in the work for US Amateurs to be able to use up to 10 Watts. I believe only on specified channels though.


I must admit I am new to the whole wireless game; however, I've been liscensed for a while and doing allot of research.

Channels 1-6 fall within US amateur frequencies.

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Official word:

100 Watts EIRP On channels 1 - 11



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