# Does the quality of the input signal to a cable modem affect the output strength? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 28, 2009, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-quality-of-the-input-signal-to-a-cable-modem-affect-the-output-strength/483323 "2009-01-28T01:19:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-quality-of-the-input-signal-to-a-cable-modem-affect-the-output-strength/483323/1 "2009-01-28T01:19:52Z")
Actually, I’m talking about a cable modem/router combination, like the Linksys WCG200, but that wouldn’t fit in the maximum title box. I have an installation that _might_ have a screwy cable modem signal, as the house was wired with a hodgepodge of coax, none of it ideal for today’s uses. And the cable guy says that the signal is _too_ hot in some places, too weak in others. But the wireless output signal from the router is low, as measured with two devices: a Canary detector and a laptop computer. The Canary typically shows 4 bars (max) on the display for any home-type router in the same room, but this one shows only one bar 6 feet away. The laptop shows about the same signal strength for the router 6 ft away as the neighbor’s, 200 ft away (don’t know what kind of device the neighbor is using). Both Canary & laptop seem to agree on the signal strength. So if the cable signal is bad, would that make the wireless router’s output poor also? (The alternate theory would be the router is defective.) ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-quality-of-the-input-signal-to-a-cable-modem-affect-the-output-strength/483323/2 "2009-01-28T01:25:29Z")
No, there’s no relationship. The wireless signal is ‘fresh’, generated on the spot. One doesn’t drive the other signal, except with how fast packets propagate, not radio strength. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-quality-of-the-input-signal-to-a-cable-modem-affect-the-output-strength/483323/3 "2009-01-28T01:30:56Z")
That’s what I thought. The Linksys is a newly-refurbished unit, but it may be defective. I’ll have to get another to compare. I can’t think of anything else that might affect the signal strength – the antenna is attached firmly and the orientation makes no difference. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-quality-of-the-input-signal-to-a-cable-modem-affect-the-output-strength/483323/4 "2009-01-28T02:03:39Z")
If you’ve had good signal strength with a router in the same location, then, yes, the router is the problem. If this is a new locale for you (& the router), then standard warnings apply – things like water heaters, chicken-wire in stucco, masonry walls etc can all block signals, so appraise the local conditions as needed. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-quality-of-the-input-signal-to-a-cable-modem-affect-the-output-strength/483323/5 "2009-01-28T02:11:54Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > If you’ve had good signal strength with a router in the same location, then, yes, the router is the problem. > > If this is a new locale for you (& the router), then standard warnings apply – things like water heaters, chicken-wire in stucco, masonry walls etc can all block signals, so appraise the local conditions as needed. Between the router and the table with the Canary and the laptop…lemme check…chicken-wire, none…masonry walls, none…water heaters, none…cats & dogs, none. Nothing but air! Unless the air is thicker in that house than others. Let me check the elevation… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-quality-of-the-input-signal-to-a-cable-modem-affect-the-output-strength/483323/6 "2009-01-28T15:08:34Z")
Here’s a [YouTube link](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmF2iiEt4kU) on modifying a standard WiFi antenna into a super range extender antenna. I did this, and it did help me get more bars. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-quality-of-the-input-signal-to-a-cable-modem-affect-the-output-strength/483323/7 "2009-01-28T19:26:24Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > Here’s a [YouTube link](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmF2iiEt4kU) on modifying a standard WiFi antenna into a super range extender antenna. I did this, and it did help me get more bars. Thanks, **ZenBeam** , that looks like a useful, fun project. I will try it sometime. I have commercial versions of this antenna, an RF amplifier, a cantenna (directional) and even an active repeater that I carry around for cases where such is needed. But in this particular case, I think we have a problem with the router not putting out enough, and I plan to replace it as soon as possible. A router sitting on the same table as the computer with nothing in between shouldn’t be detected as a weak signal, but that’s what I 'm getting right now.