# New wireless system **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 7, 2007, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wireless-system/407082 "2007-06-07T03:07:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wireless-system/407082/1 "2007-06-07T03:07:34Z")
My current wireless system (d-link with one repeater) is just not getting the job done. In particular, the apple computer farthest from the router (about 150 feet through walls, with one interposed repeater) works very unreliably, and I think that this is probably due to signal strenght. If I buy all new equipment, including a directional antenna for the router, and repeaters, what is the best way to go? ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wireless-system/407082/2 "2007-06-07T03:12:28Z")
Is it really 150 feet? That would be one giant palace if you are talking about a single residence. My Linksys router with an optional high-gain antenna covers our whole 2800 square foot, two story house without any problem. However, the antenna costs about the same as the router ($40 or so). They do work and they may sell one for yours. A new combo should be much less than $100. ---
**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:** [June 7, 2007, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wireless-system/407082/3 "2007-06-07T03:17:36Z")
More powerful access points are available in the $300 range. Directional antennas can also be had for less, if that is appropriate to your situation (they concentrate the signal in one direction). If directional antennas won’t suit you, there are antenna RF amplifiers and higher-gain antennas. Many choices. But it might be enough to just move your existing equipment higher and in better locations. Experiment first if you don’t want to spend the bux. Here are some links to start: [http://radiolabs.com/products/FAQ.php?i=1160&PHPSESSID=f44ffd40147b50a39ced664d0a60ce0a](http://radiolabs.com/products/FAQ.php?i=1160&PHPSESSID=f44ffd40147b50a39ced664d0a60ce0a) > **[Home Page](https://antennasystems.com)** > > At Antenna Systems, we have the skills and knowledge to fit all types of TV aerial installation. These include Freesat fitting and repairs, TV wall mount installations and Sky TV satellite installation. We’re up for the job no matter how difficult it... [http://stores.ebay.com/War-Driving-World](http://stores.ebay.com/War-Driving-World) > **[Wi-Fi equipment and accessories for your PC](https://www.wifi-parts.com/)** > > Wi-Fi hardware and accessories for PCs are components through which you can connect wirelessly to the Internet. They can work with various devices, such [http://radiolabs.com/products/FAQ.php?i=1160&PHPSESSID=f44ffd40147b50a39ced664d0a60ce0a](http://radiolabs.com/products/FAQ.php?i=1160&PHPSESSID=f44ffd40147b50a39ced664d0a60ce0a) Hope this helps! ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wireless-system/407082/4 "2007-06-07T03:42:53Z")
You might look into 802.11n equipment, which has longer range and faster speeds than the earlier standards. The only problem is that the standard hasn’t been finalized yet, so the equipment is preliminary. ---
**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wireless-system/407082/5 "2007-06-07T04:16:36Z")
Unfortunately, it is a huge house, and one side to the other is 144 feet, so yeah, that is about right. With several intervening walls. I was looking at the Hawking 15dB corner antenna to attach to the router, and the Hawking USB dish directional antenna to attach to the Imac. The Apple airport card has no external antenna. How does the USB antenna work (how does the card know to tap into it) and would that work on an Apple Imac g5? ---
**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wireless-system/407082/6 "2007-06-07T04:23:25Z")
By the way, the dish antenna I was looking at is the HWU8DD-DT – Hawking Hi-Gain USB Wireless-G Dish Adapter