Longest range wifi adapter

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
P

pokemaster787

Reputable
Jul 30, 2014
4
0
4,510
Hello all. I'm building a PC soon, and am trying to find the longest range wifi adapter I can. Interface doesn't matter, just whichever will work best. The connection I will need to connect to is an 802.11g connection. It's nearby, but not extremely so. I get a connection on my laptop on the second floor of my house in front of a window (1-2 bars.) My room (Where my PC will be.) Is, however, downstairs, and doesn't have any windows etc. I can occasionally get a one bar signal, but usually lose it in a few seconds.
I'm fairly certain the issue is not only range, but the walls blocking the signal. So I need a good range adapter, that works well even through walls.
I've been looking at some Alfa brand USB adapters, and Ampedwireless. Both claim good speeds and great range, but I just want to know if anyone has better suggestions.
My price range is $50, although I may be able to go up to $100.
Any suggestions are appreciated, thank you!
 
Solution
photonboy


I'm not sure you understand what's going on.

If you don't want to use the existing connection then you need your own network account and the MODEM/ROUTER device to establish your own local network.

If you were just trying to use an existing connection and signal strength was an issue then you would use a Wi-Fi Extender.

A better wi-fi adapter can give you a better signal strength but you are then still using the original connection which you just said wasn't an option. It's also only going to affect the device you are using.

*To be clear, a wi-fi extender is amplifying the original signal that it receives and sends...
Sort by date Sort by votes
P

pokemaster787

Reputable
Jul 30, 2014
4
0
4,510
@eco_sid Are you sure? That's a hundred dollars, and it seems the selling point is the 1.3gb connection speed, not really the range. And the connection I'm trying to use is no where near that fast. Also don't really see anyone praising the range or anything in the reviews there.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
orlbuckeye

orlbuckeye

Distinguished
May 1, 2009
1,543
1
20,165
Well first of all the adapter just receives the signal. The signal is set out from the router which you say is a G router. 802.11 g was standard about 5 or 6 years ago. 802.11 N is the new standard which the speed and the signal is wider the a G router. Now 802.11 AC has been released and its even faster and a wider signal. To extend the signal it has to be done from the router. Again the router broadcast the signal the adapter or wireless card receives it. If the adapter is outside or near outside the range the only way to get a better signal is to increase the range of the router which you have now control over. So your using someone else's internet and if they add security and don't tell you the PW you won't get any access.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

bill001g

Titan
Aug 9, 2012
28,367
2,766
125,640
802.11ac actually has LESS range than 802.11g in many cases because it runs only on the 5g band and it is more easily blocked by walls etc.

It sounds like you are trying to receive a signal from outside your house. This tends to be tricky even in the best case because the outside walls of the house block the signal very well because of the insulation and things like bricks on them. You can only do so much because 1/2 the problem is the router. You can put big antenna and the most power transmitters on your end but most times you must make changes on both ends.

Your best bet is going to be a device that has a directional antenna. They do make nic cards with direction antenna but they tend to be a little costly. If you have a ethernet port on your computer you might try a directional outdoor bridge. You can get something like a ens200 from engienus for just over $50 or you can buy a a 2.4g ubiquiti airgrid bridge for a little more. The ubiquiti is physically very big but it does have better gain. If you could run a ethernet cable outside and connect up either of these it would likely work ok. If they can force the signal though a wall there really is no way to know other than try it. If a directional bridge does not work then nothing will work from inside the house.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
orlbuckeye

orlbuckeye

Distinguished
May 1, 2009
1,543
1
20,165
Yes but 802.11 ac gets around the range with a process called beam-forming which makes better use of the signal where devices actually exist. Plus there is less interference suck as mobile phones or other electronic devices that use 2.4 channels.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

bill001g

Titan
Aug 9, 2012
28,367
2,766
125,640


Sounds really good in theory but have you found any test where they ran beam forming THROUGH a wall.

The manufactures are all really good at claiming great numbers that can only be found in a lab. So far I have seen no good testing that show beam forming actually give much advantage in a typical home. Everything you find is either controlled tests in open rooms or random test by some guy in their house with no controls.

Besides that is all moot anyway. He is connecting to a old 802.11g router that he has no control over
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

bill001g

Titan
Aug 9, 2012
28,367
2,766
125,640

I agree he should have his own router/internet but I suspect like many of these posts he is using a neighbors or maybe some open hotspot. I tend avoid asking for details because you can quickly get into areas that gets a post locked ...better to just answer the questions and play dumb.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
photonboy

photonboy

Titan
Jun 20, 2006
21,567
13
85,015


I'm not sure you understand what's going on.

If you don't want to use the existing connection then you need your own network account and the MODEM/ROUTER device to establish your own local network.

If you were just trying to use an existing connection and signal strength was an issue then you would use a Wi-Fi Extender.

A better wi-fi adapter can give you a better signal strength but you are then still using the original connection which you just said wasn't an option. It's also only going to affect the device you are using.

*To be clear, a wi-fi extender is amplifying the original signal that it receives and sends to extend the coverage area, whereas a wi-fi adapter only improves the send and receive capability of the device that the wi-fi adapter is attached to.

An EXTENDER is more likely to solve your issue than a wi-fi adapter is especially since it can be put into a location that bypasses the major direct line-of-sight problems. Simply move it between AC plugs whilst monitoring your Wi-Fi signal strength and use the spot that works best.

Summary:
a) If you don't want to use the local connection you need your own modem/router setup and ISP account.

b) An adapter still uses the same connection, may or may not help much, and only affects that device.

c) An extender still uses the same connection, is more likely to help your issue, and will affect all devices in its vicinity.


OTHER:
If the wi-fi signal is a neighbor's do him a favor and tell him so he can put it into secure mode to avoid other people leeching his signal like you do. If you get your own account you'd want to be in secure mode for the same reason (and security).
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom