Penny Arcade Forums› Help / Advice Forum
The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.

I need a freakishly powerful wireless router

RiemannLivesRiemannLives Registered User regular
edited December 2011 in Help / Advice Forum
I currently have a NETGEAR WPN824 v3 and am just not getting as strong a signal as I would like in the other rooms. This is in a fairly normal wood frame home and I have devices in two rooms on the same floor as the router itself.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a different router which might have a more powerful transmitter? I am willing to spend some money here for a quality product.

Alternatively, would installing a custom firmware such as DD-WRT make my existing device more efficient?

Attacked by tweeeeeeees!
RiemannLives on

Posts

  • Hahnsoo1Hahnsoo1 Make Ready. We Hunt.Registered User, Moderator, Administrator admin
    edited December 2011
    Couldn't you just get a wireless range extender? Like a Netgear WN3000RP? Although, I'm really not sure what's the best product for that kind of device.

    Hahnsoo1 on
    8i1dt37buh2m.png
  • RiemannLivesRiemannLives Registered User regular
    Hahnsoo1 wrote:
    Couldn't you just get a wireless range extender? Like a Netgear WN3000RP? Although, I'm really not sure what's the best product for that kind of device.

    I'm not sure where I would put it. Basicially I have the router in one room (where the only cable jack is located) and the devices using the network are in rooms next door (in different directions).

    So there is no where to put a range extender between where the router is and where the intended devices are.

    Attacked by tweeeeeeees!
  • Hahnsoo1Hahnsoo1 Make Ready. We Hunt.Registered User, Moderator, Administrator admin
    Are you using 802.11g or 802.11b? Does the router support 802.11n? While you can achieve higher throughput with 802.11g (way more than you need for a typical internet connection, by the way), you can often get a more stable experience with 802.11b despite being the older standard (which is more than enough for browsing and gaming). 802.11n can also give better range and stability, but all of your devices need to support it (and typically, they do not).

    Are you using the 5Ghz wireless connection? The higher the frequency, the lower the range of the device (but the higher the bandwidth), so you may get better results by running at 2.4Ghz (although this risks interference from other 2.4Ghz devices).

    8i1dt37buh2m.png
  • Skoal CatSkoal Cat Registered User regular
    Yes, you can boost your range using custom firmware

  • Apothe0sisApothe0sis Have you ever questioned the nature of your reality? Registered User regular
    Also, is it something that could be solved via ethernet via powerline? Specifically, is there a room that would lend itself to being cabled (i.e. a fixed machine that usually connects via wireless)?

  • HewnHewn Registered User regular
    Could this just be a crummy wireless router?

    I've had great luck with putting Tomato on the Linksys WRT54GL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190

    At $50, a pretty good deal. I'm using it to transmit through the entire house, through multiple rooms, without any trouble. Unless you're talking a mansion size home, something like this should do the trick.

    Steam: hewn
    Warframe: TheBaconDwarf
  • SniperGuySniperGuy SniperGuyGaming Registered User regular
    We have a fairly large house and use the WRT54GL as well. Great router, though I put DD-WRT on mine.

  • SyphyreSyphyre A Dangerous Pastime Registered User regular
    http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2010/09/because-everyone-needs-a-router.html

    This guy really likes the Buffalo Nfiniti. Compatable with dd-wrt and the price on amazon.com is certainly right.

  • MortalToasterMortalToaster Registered User regular
    I have a Netgear WNDR3700v2 and the thing is ballin'. A/B/G/N, 2.4 and 5GHz, and the stock firmware is better (slightly) than DD-WRT. Great range for a normal residence. The 3700 is the old version, but you can get the new WNDR4500 which Gizmodo is claiming as simply the best. Don't know what your price range is, but it's definitely worth the $180 it retails for.

  • minirhyderminirhyder BerlinRegistered User regular
    How about a DIY project?

    http://voato.com/freetime-fix-up/freetime-fix-up-increase-wireless-router-range-with-tinfoil/

    steam_sig.png
    BF3 Battlelog | Twitter | World of Warships | World of Tanks | Wishlist
  • wmelonwmelon Registered User regular
    minirhyder wrote:
    How about a DIY project?

    http://voato.com/freetime-fix-up/freetime-fix-up-increase-wireless-router-range-with-tinfoil/

    I made one of those for our original Xbox 360's antenna. It went from getting 0-1 bar in netflix and often disconnecting to 2-3 bars and being stable. Certainly a lot better than spending a ton on a new router.

  • OrosoOroso Enforcer PortlandRegistered User regular
    Is it possible there's something else that's interfering with the signal and lowering your range? Microwave, cordless phone, bluetooth, etc.? I'd also try changing the channel your router is operating on, mine defaulted to one and I couldn't get it to work with my desktop until I changed it to eleven.

  • JebusUDJebusUD Adventure! Candy IslandRegistered User regular
    Lift your router up off the ground. This can help.

    and I wonder about my neighbors even though I don't have them
    but they're listening to every word I say
Sign In or Register to comment.
Penny Arcade Forums› Help / Advice Forum