Improving Indoors Wi-Fi Reception?

VirtualUK asks: "I was given a WiFi base station and PCMCIA card for my laptop as a Christmas present so that I could read slashdot...urm I mean work, in any room in the house. When I read the manual it stated lofty figures of being able to work up to hundreds of feet inside office environments, so I felt that it would be more than capable of being able to allow me to stay connected in my tiny house. It seems however that the WiFi gods are against me as I tap this posting in the next room to the WiFi base station, a mere 20-30 feet away, just regular so-thin-I-can-hear-an-ant-fart walls, no kryptonite, no lead cladding and yet still I struggle to get a constant connection. I've found that shifting the laptop to face different directions sometimes helps, but as should it be this hard at such short range? Is there anything I can do to make my WiFi work better in a house environment?"

Faraday.

[Tom7]

You might look into a "Faraday Cage," which I hear improves reception tremendously.

FWIW, my little linksys base station gives me solid coverage all over my house, and even outside. Maybe it's the base station or card?

I recomend....

[OctaneZ]

The judicious use of a sledgehammer!
The removal of a few walls (I recomend avoiding weight-bearing walls)
Really improved my signal reception!

WARNING: you MAY not get your security deposit back

-OZ

Re:Faraday.

[Anonymous Coward]

I have a lousy wifi in my house too. She won't even give me a blowjob.

Scotty, you need more power!!!!!

[Anonymous Coward]

Unfortunately, many of the "bargain" Wi-Fi access points have rather low power outputs compared to the more serious brands like Symbol, Cisco, Lucent. But, don't dispare, I have found a solution.

It's a simple cheap hack that makes a world of difference. First, run down to your hardware store and pick up a three pronged, twist lock electrical plug. they run about $7. Next replace the wall wart on your access point with the new twist lock plug. Finally, locate your access point in the laundry room and plug it into the twist lock receptacle next to your clothes dryer.

That's all there is to it, you'll be able to roam all over your block with a good solid signal.

One note of caution, with this increased power output, your neighbors will also be able to use your signal. So, make sure that you turn on the high security features of WEP on your access point. TTFN :)

SpinalTap

[wizzy403]

These APs go to 11...

Guaranteed to work...

[jakedata]

Run RG6-QS coaxial cable between your base station and the pc card. The cable is a little stiff, but you get awesome reception.