A suggestion for people who want to use their laptops outside while smoking

[jim@mindofmen.com]

Hey Folks,

I know that some of you would love to join virtual herfs but are relegated to the outdoors by the family. Wireless routers are great for this but for some folks, the range outside the house stinks. You can always go get an outdoor router for about several Benjamins, but I came up with a much cheaper method. I detailed how to do it on my blog page. If interested, check it out - it is easy and fairly cheap - about $100

http://www.askjimb.com/gadgets/?p=7

[Cigar Jack-cl]

A great guide, Thanks!

But if you want to try something really cheap that may work take a look at this too.

http://www.freeantennas.com/projects...te2/index.html

It doubled my signal in my garage. The router is in the bedroom at the opposite end of the house. It basically makes your antenna focus the signal in one direction.

It may not work but at most you are out what? a $1?

[GatorMike]

Both great resources guys, thanks.

[Webmeister]

Be cautious about the network devices that work over the power lines. I have had miserable experience with the NetGear version. The first one failed and was replaced under warranty. Then a couple days after the warranty expired, the second unit did as well.

I'll tell you what did increase the range of my wireless coverage by quite a bit was buying an 802.11n router (I have the pre-N at home and the new Draft-N at the cabin). I went from poor outdoor coverage with the b/g router to excellent coverage even in the opposite corner of the house, outside on the porch or the deck, even in the back yard. Some of these areas would not even get signal before. The N devices will work with your existing b/g cards, so you are good to go. If you decide to upgrade the network card to N as well (did this on my new laptop), you get great speed from the new router in addition to great coverage!

[tobacmon]

Some great info here thanks---

[jim@mindofmen.com]

Originally Posted by Webmeister

Be cautious about the network devices that work over the power lines. I have had miserable experience with the NetGear version. The first one failed and was replaced under warranty. Then a couple days after the warranty expired, the second unit did as well.

Just to clarify, this is not a Powerline Ethernet adapter. This is using the network standard Power over Ethernet (PoE) that sends a DC signal over two of the unused lines in a standard CAT 5/6 network cable. A standard network cable has 8 wires, of which only four are used. PoE simply pipes the power over an unused pair.

PoE is used all the time in commercial/industrial locations as it allows a company to put network devices anywhere they can run a network cable to without worrying about also having to run a separate power line.

I've been using my rig since this summer with no problems. It has handled the heat of the summer (granted only mid 90's here in NE), but also the dead of winter (well below freezing so far) without incident. Since I am not modifying either the router or the PoE injector, they would both be covered by warranty if need be.

jim

[jim@mindofmen.com]

Originally Posted by Cigar Jack

A great guide, Thanks!

But if you want to try something really cheap that may work take a look at this too.

http://www.freeantennas.com/projects...te2/index.html

It doubled my signal in my garage. The router is in the bedroom at the opposite end of the house. It basically makes your antenna focus the signal in one direction.

It may not work but at most you are out what? a $1?

This really is a cool thing, the only downside is that it makes the antenna somewhat directional meaning that you get good signal in the direction the "dish" is pointing but lousy signal in other directions (particularly behind the dish). Works great if you can put it one end of the house and have it blanket the rest, but if like me, your router is dead center in the house, you are kind of out of luck with this kind of mod.

[Cowboyjeans]

how do you deal with glare on sunny days? That is my problem usually

[foolwithnohair]

Originally Posted by Cowboyjeans

how do you deal with glare on sunny days? That is my problem usually

http://gizmodo.com/345760/lapdome-a-...aptopseriously

This works too, but it is just as easy to cut up an old pizza box, IMHO: http://compushade.com/

[sseagle]

I need an outlet on the deck, the battery has gone to hell on my laptop.

[suckapuff]

That is wierd that you guys are having issues. I have one of those enclosed tent things in my back yard about 75 feet from the house. I am able to sit in there and still get my wireless. The router is even on the other side of the house and it is just a standard g router.

[TravelingJ-cl]

Wireless is very weird and picky. The types of walls that you have will affect it, as well as where pipes are running. Each wall will reduce the range, sometimes just by feet, other times by 10-20 feet. On top of that, each router and antenna is a little bit different-same with the cards on the computers.

The best bet, is obviously, to relocate the antenna closer to the desired location. If you don't have any wired devices plugged into the router, you can just get a long patch cable (try newegg.com instead of your local store) and move it closer. If you do have wired devices, you could put in a cheap switch (like $20?) for the wired devices, and then use one of those ports, and a long patch cable-to locate the antenna closer.

Or, you could get a wireless range extender. I think I paid $50 for mine a few years back. It picks up the wireless signal from your router, and then amplifies it. You could hook it up inside right by the deck, and get a screaming signal out there.

Or talk to Verizon and get one of their cards, haha. I'm connected to the internet inside, outside, and driving down the highway ( =

[e-man]

First, I would try using a different wireless channel in your router settings, as most likely you're using the default setting. You could be experiencing interference from other routers or phones on the same frequency, which would seriously reduce your range.

Also, you could try a Wireless Range Extender. They can be had for less than a set of high attenuation antennae, or power line converter. Just plug it in INSIDE your house. Place it as high as possible, and as close to your target location as possible. No wires to run, but there is some configuration. It basically acts like a middle man and repeats everything it hears from each side.

[Rmac58]

Too late, my wireless router works fine tho.

[Brinson]

You can get a directional router antenna for $20 at a computer store that will greatly extend your range. Just point it the right direction.