5 easy tricks to boost your home Wi-Fi

[Rollo Tomasi]

hope this helps the radio show dead air time or anyone else with
wi-fi dead spots:

5 easy tricks to boost your home Wi-Fi


1. Update your technology
If your router, computer and gadgets were made in the last two or three years, they probably support the latest wireless-N standard. If so, make sure your router is set to N-only mode for maximum speed and range. The b/g/n setting - needed to support older devices - will be slower.

If your PC is getting on in years and stuck at wireless-G, consider upgrading to a new model or a new wireless-N card.

Buy a new router if it doesn't support wireless-N. Chances are, it also doesn't support the latest security encryption.
Make sure your computer is running the latest version of its operating system and has the latest driver for your router.

Visit your router manufacturer's website to see if you've missed a firmware upgrade. I bet you have.

2. Find the sweet spot
Routers aren't the best looking gadgets, so your inclination may be to hide them. That's a bad idea because routers are susceptible to overheating and need good airflow.
The devices also perform much better when placed in an open, central location - away from walls and obstructions, such as metal filing cabinets.

If you place a router that has an omnidirectional antenna against an outside wall, it will send half its wireless signal outdoors. That might create a dead spot on the opposite side of your home.

A high location is usually better than a low one, especially if you have a two-story home. If you can, put the router on a high shelf or on top of a cabinet.

3. Change the channel
Like radio stations, wireless routers can broadcast on a number of different channels. When you and half the neighborhood are on the same channel, it causes a lot of static.

This shouldn't be a problem if your router features automatic channel selection. If it doesn't, tune in a channel with less interference. Consult your router's manual for quick assistance in changing router channels.

4. Reduce interference
Another nice thing about having a newer router is that it is probably a dual band. The 5 GHz frequency reduces interference from 2.4 GHz cordless phones, garage door openers, baby monitors and other common wireless gadgets.

Microwave ovens also emit a very strong signal in the 2.4 GHz band.

Put some extra distance between your router and interfering appliances.
5. Pop open a beer
If you've tried all this and your router still doesn't have enough reach, it's time for the trusty beer-can hack.

This involves cutting a beer or soda can open with a utility knife to make a parabolic antenna out of it. I know, it sounds a little crazy, but this trick can boost your network by two bars or more. It's easy. And I made a fun video to show you exactly how to do it. Watch it now.

Finally, once your home Wi-Fi is humming along again, don’t forget to secure your network. Encryption has little effect on the performance of newer routers.

Why does it matter? If your network is open, neighbors can piggyback on to it to do their Internet surfing - and that will really slow you down. Worse, hackers can exploit your unsecured network and snoop for personal data.

Be sure to use the latest WPA2 encryption and create a strong password.

8/25/2012 komando.com

[Belly Buster]

Use inssider http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider/ to check your network strengths and also the channels in use close to you so you can pick the best channels to use.

[DirtyB]

If so, make sure your router is set to N-only mode for maximum speed and range. The b/g/n setting - needed to support older devices - will be slower.

I stopped reading there. N is indeed much faster than G. But due to N using twice the frequency, its ability to penetrate walls, and thus range, is actually worse.

Many portable devices use G, because that's plenty fast for what they do. Setting your router to N only mode will prevent them from connecting.

Whoever wrote this article doesn't know shit.

[Belly Buster]

If so, make sure your router is set to N-only mode for maximum speed and range. The b/g/n setting - needed to support older devices - will be slower.

I stopped reading there. N is indeed must faster than G. But due to N using twice the frequency, its ability to penetrate walls, and thus range, is actually worse.

Many portable devices use G, because that's plenty fast for what they do. Setting your router to N only mode will prevent them from connecting.

Whoever wrote this article doesn't know shit.

Better still get a dual band router such as the Netgear DGND3700 which transmits on both b/g and a/n channels so you get the speed of n on devices that use it but still supports your iphones/mobile devices/etc on g.

If you have lots of walls between you and your router, get a homeplug and a wireless access point.

[anonamoose]

I stopped reading there. N is indeed must faster than G. But due to N using twice the frequency, its ability to penetrate walls, and thus range, is actually worse.

Many portable devices use G, because that's plenty fast for what they do. Setting your router to N only mode will prevent them from connecting.

Whoever wrote this article doesn't know shit.

Better still get a dual band router such as the Netgear DGND3700 which transmits on both b/g and a/n channels so you get the speed of n on devices that use it but still supports your iphones/mobile devices/etc on g.

If you have lots of walls between you and your router, get a homeplug and a wireless access point.

you're implying that the people that needed the above tips would be smart enough to do any of that.