How to Extend A Wireless Router's Range
Many people find that their wireless network's range does not meet their expectations. Sometimes it's radio interference, other times it's objects blocking the wireless signal.
In any case, I will show you some great methods to boost your wireless router's wifi signal range. I will also show you how to boost it using WDS.
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Things You'll Need
- Wireless router
- Pigtail cable
- Large high db omni directional antenna
- Good router firmware
- Optional Another Router
Instructions
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1
Remove the stock antennas off your wifi router. Attach the pigtail cable (be sure to buy the appropriate one) to the antenna jack on the back of your router.
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2
Attach the other end of the pigtail cable to an omni directional antenna. I would suggest at least a 15 db gain antenna. Make sure that you mount this antenna so that it is free standing away from obstructions.
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3
Flash the router with alternative firmware such as dd-wrt, tomato, open-wrt for example. There are many types of firmware for almost all types of routers. Be sure to use google to find the best type for you router.
Within the firmware, there are usually options to increase the power of your wireless router' s signal. This will be called "transmit power, signal power, or xmit power". Be sure to increase this to the desired level that you need.
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Optionally you can add another access point using WDS. To do this, you will need two routers setup in WDS mode. Both wireless routers will need to be setup as an AP or "access point", and they will both need to be on different IP's in the same subnet. For example, Router 1 is 192.168.1.1, router 2 is 192.168.1.2 .
Each router will need the same WEP or WPA wireless encryption password setup as well. These must be EXACTLY the same.
Go into the WDS settings on Router 1, and put the wireless MAC address information of router 2. Go into router 2's WDS settings and put the wireless MAC address information of router 1. (The wireless MAC addresses can be found within both pieces of firmware as well as stickers on the router) This will enable 2 Access Points to work on the same network, thus increasing your wireless range.
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