How to Increase Wireless Range
Increasing the range of a wireless device can appear to be a mixture of engineering and black magic. But there are five variables that can be optimized to increase the range of a wireless signal: antenna location, antenna gain, output power, repeaters and interference mitigation. With each of these variables, whenever something is changed, the dynamics of the wireless link might be impacted in unforeseen ways.
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Instructions
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Increasing a Wireless Connection's Range
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The location of the transceivers (or wireless connections) is critical. For example, in almost every consumer wireless device, the signal will not pass through solid metal nor will the signal travel though the ground. Elevation is also a factor. The reason cell phone and radio/TV transmission towers are located on higher elevations is because they will travel farther than it would if it were to be located in the bottom of a valley with mountains surrounding it.
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The first variable that should be experimented with is the location of the wireless device. This is something that is instinctive as people who use cell phones will almost automatically move their location to see if their signal improves. If you are going to change the location of a wireless device (or the antenna mounted to a wireless device), you might have to purchase a special cable that is made for this purpose.
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The next variable to be experimented with is antenna gain. For many consumer devices, higher-gain antennas are available. Cell phone antennas (sometimes referred to as "boosters") are available from a number of suppliers. Wi-Fi range-extending antennas are also made by several manufacturers.
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Amplifiers are available for many consumer devices and can be useful in many instances. CB radios and Wi-Fi devices have higher-power versions of the equipment that can be purchased as well as add-on amplifiers available.
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Repeaters are made for Wi-Fi devices, and a newer device for cell phones (femtocell) is available for people to purchase to improve their reception in locations where the signal is not adequate, such as inside a metal office building.
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Interference is a problem, especially for Wi-Fi devices as well as any other wireless device that does not use a licensed (protected) band of spectrum. Unfortunately, without some very expensive tools (such as a spectrum analyzer) and the knowledge to use one, tracking down interference might be impossible.
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Tips & Warnings
In instances where a high-gain antenna or an amplifier is being considered, check with the vendor to ensure you are in compliance with all laws and regulations.
