wireless signal booster for home?

[robr]

The PC in my daughter's room won't pick up the signal from our ATT DSL that goes through our main computer in the other end of the house. I can't easily move it. Radio Shack has some awfully cheap looking Bazooka type gizmo, but there's gotta be something better. Short of moving the signal box, what are my options?

 

[bozo_casanova]

Why don't you get a router with better range?

 

[Orange&White]

Not sure about the OP but my ATT U-verse install has its own base station that is the router. I have heard that you can attach another router to that but I am not sure how effective it would be.

Could you cable some network cable through the walls somehow and attach that way?

 

[Crusher X]

We use power line networking at our house. We use the Slingbox product. The system actually routes ethernet connectivity through the power lines in your house. So, you can have internet in any room with a power outlet. It works very well. We still have a wireless router, but our desktop is wired up through the powerline. I plan on buying another adapter to add the Wii and Xbox to our network.

There are many brands to choose from.

Do a google search for power line networking.

 

[rhg84]

you need to get an access point

 

[Uninformed]

You could also go to wireless N. Trendnet has a good unit for about $40 on newegg or tigerdirect.

 

[Anastasis]

some access points can be set up as relays, to "bounce" the signal further.

 

[jcazes]

First, try the homemade approach.

If you set it up correctly, you should see some results, but on the off chance it doesn't help enough you will need to get an access point (serves as an "extender" to your original router).

If you end up going with Wireless N (a step above Wireless G), you should not pay less than $100... anything for that price will mostly likely be garbage and give you grief. If I had to go N right now, I would probably pick up a TRENDnet TEW-633GR, but I still think there are a good amount of issues with the technology...

 

[brntorng]

I have an Apple Airport Extreme N router and it works very well. Lots of range and very easy to manage as you would expect from an Apple product. It can also host shared hard drives and printers. Nice product for a very attractive price for what you get.

Wireless routers should be located in as high a location in the house as possible--for example on the top of a shelf, but not on the floor for best range. If that doesn't help, an access point set up in the middle of the house as a repeater is the answer.