Pleb
9th October 2007, 12:30 PM
So I'm having to pass my wi-fi through a couple of walls at the moment, and the signal strength is pretty crap, about -81 to -79 dB on average, or between 6 and 12 Mbps on my g type home network. Although this may sound acceptable, 12 Mbps is workable, but the quality at 6 was atrocious, and my net surfing slowed to a crawl occasionally.
So I was looking at ways of boosting the strength, pros and cons of repeaters etc.
Came across a DIY parabolic reflector :O http://www.hariri.at/kyros/fon/parabolreflector_en.pdf
Basically you print out the given shape, cut it out on an acetate sheet or cardboard and tinfoil, and set it up.
I'm now getting an average of -75 to -77 dB, or a steady 18-24 Mbps! And thats only using a reflector on one of the ariels on the router. I was amazed at the difference it made with about 10 minutes work. (Edit: with a second reflector added on the other antenna, i'm now at -69 to -71 dB ~ 24-36 Mbps).
Obviously its not the ideal solution for somewhere you need a true omni-directional signal, because you're sacrificing signal strength in one direction for a gain in another.
But its pretty damn impressive.
Also, if your setup is truly restrictive, and you can't get workable results from this, google WiFi network extenders and see how you can pass broadband over your home electricity circuit.
Step by step using the above-linked diagram:
1. Print off the 1st page of the pdf. Check that the dimensions are calibrated - measure the 10 cm lines to make sure they are 10 cm.
2. Glue the page with the diagram on it onto whatever you're using for backing - acetate/cardboard.
3. To the other side of the backing glue a sheet of tinfoil, shiny side out.
4. Cut around the shapes (the rectangle which becomes the parabola, and the funky-shaped one, which is the frame).
5. Make the necessary slits in the rectangle cutout and cut the holes for the ariel in the frame (check that they are big enough).
6. Put the frame together with the rectangle to give it its shape. I had to use tape to get the central flaps to stay in the parabola, cos i'm not very good at cutting.
7. Slide the finished reflector down over the ariel and point it towards your computer.
So I was looking at ways of boosting the strength, pros and cons of repeaters etc.
Came across a DIY parabolic reflector :O http://www.hariri.at/kyros/fon/parabolreflector_en.pdf
Basically you print out the given shape, cut it out on an acetate sheet or cardboard and tinfoil, and set it up.
I'm now getting an average of -75 to -77 dB, or a steady 18-24 Mbps! And thats only using a reflector on one of the ariels on the router. I was amazed at the difference it made with about 10 minutes work. (Edit: with a second reflector added on the other antenna, i'm now at -69 to -71 dB ~ 24-36 Mbps).
Obviously its not the ideal solution for somewhere you need a true omni-directional signal, because you're sacrificing signal strength in one direction for a gain in another.
But its pretty damn impressive.
Also, if your setup is truly restrictive, and you can't get workable results from this, google WiFi network extenders and see how you can pass broadband over your home electricity circuit.
Step by step using the above-linked diagram:
1. Print off the 1st page of the pdf. Check that the dimensions are calibrated - measure the 10 cm lines to make sure they are 10 cm.
2. Glue the page with the diagram on it onto whatever you're using for backing - acetate/cardboard.
3. To the other side of the backing glue a sheet of tinfoil, shiny side out.
4. Cut around the shapes (the rectangle which becomes the parabola, and the funky-shaped one, which is the frame).
5. Make the necessary slits in the rectangle cutout and cut the holes for the ariel in the frame (check that they are big enough).
6. Put the frame together with the rectangle to give it its shape. I had to use tape to get the central flaps to stay in the parabola, cos i'm not very good at cutting.
7. Slide the finished reflector down over the ariel and point it towards your computer.