ozzy

Just installed a Belkin Wireless router in my girlfriends flat (old 1900's tenement, so thick walls). I have the same router at home (simple dry wall) and it works flawlessly in every room.

The girlfriends laptop works fine as long as you're in the same room. Step outside into the hall (10ft) or into the living room (all of 30ft) and the signal falls dramatically. Go into the front Bedroom and it'll lose the signal completely at times.

I even moved the router into the hallway and it didn't make much difference. Tried various USB adapters, but they all do the same thing

Is there anyway of boosting the signal from the Belkin (e.g. fitting a hi-gain antenna) or should I replace it with something that has a much stronger signal to start with.

It's a Belkin F5D7231-4.

TIA,
stefan

boxst

Hello

You can try a booster antenna, that certainly helped with me.

I replaced the two little aerials and doubled the range, although at reduced speeds.

Steve

ozzy

Thanks Steve,

Speed's not a big issue as she'll only use it to browse the net.

Did you replace the little antennas on a Belkin?

I had a look at them last night, but was worried I'd snap them off trying

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

this may sound daft, but try changing the channel on the router to a different one. Dont know why it works but i have had problems in the past.

boxst

Hello

Ah, mine isn't a Belkin, you do have to check it actually has detachable antennas! They screw off quite easily if they are.

Steve

ozzy

Yeah, I was trying the different channels last night. Same signal strength with 6, 10 & 11. I'll try some of the lower ones and also disconnect her old Analogue Cordless phone to see if that helps.

The signal goes from 97% strength in the room next to the router, to 30% outside the door to 10% in the front bedroom

I expected some signal drop, just not that dramatic.

ozzy

Thanks Steve,

Don't think it does. Maybe mu Mum will be inherting a Belkin one until I find a better model.

What's yours?

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

that drop does seem very dramatic, maybe have a look at appliances like you say, starting with the phone. When I had my wireless router connected to the master socket in the hallway (opposite the kitchen) my signal would drop all of the time, even losing connection full stop. (worked this out as being down to the microwave) If the router is on a tv or resting on any electrical equipment then this can cause interference which can affect the distance that the signal travels.

Think the belkin aerials do just unscrew (only got a belkin card in my desktop, my router is a safecomm)

Thats the problem with older houses. Built to last, probably got lead lined walls!!
Sorry cant be more help

ozzy

Cheers for the advice. Didn't realise I had to be Fox Mulder to install these things

suba

get one (or pair) of these! http://www.allendale-hosting.co.uk/antenna/9dbi.htm

ozzy

Well turned off the cordless phone and even the MIcrowave, but the signal is still pi$h.

You get 100% in the room, but step out into the doorway and it drops to 60% . Turn left into the bathroom and hold the lappie next to the wall and the signal goes back up to 85%+

I'm beginning to think the walls are lined with lead

RoosterRoo

I had the same problems with a belkin router, and the aerials cannot be changed on these (unless you un-solder them off the board and solder on your new high gain antenna). So I got a netgear router that had a detachable aerial and got a pair of high gain antennas (one for the media center and one for the router), now get a 97% signal when it was arround 24% previously. http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=77085 is a link to the antenna that I used, and have had no problems with.

Good luck

Rich

sti-04!!

Get a new g/f with a new build. Problem solved

ozzy

That had crossed my mind; it would be sooooooooo much less hassle

HankScorpio

Is DLan an option?
http://www.devolo.co.uk/uk_EN/index.html
One off the router and one in the poor signal room with a cat5 off it.

Works brilliantly.

ozzy

That could (may have to) be an option. If I could just boost the signal slightly it would be enough. A m8 is letting me borrow his Linksys so I can try another manufacturer. I can replace the Antennas on his too, so that may solve the problem.

sienar33

Check out the Linksys website, they used to do a "wireless repeater"
Netgear have a mimo (or something) that uses different aerials to change direction of signal.
Netgear site also has tips on improving signal strength/coverage.

Changing channels can improve signal if you have neighbour on same or similar channel as you.
Are there any ROM updates available for your router?

ozzy

Just an update. I moved the router out from the back bedroom and into the hallway. Signal has improved enough around the flat to get a decent signal. I'll keep an eye on it and just replace it with something that will allow me to add better antennas if required.

Thanks for all the help,
Spooky Mulder