# Wireless router that fulfills these specs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 11, 2011, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-router-that-fulfills-these-specs/581478 "2011-05-11T04:02:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anise/32/21721_2.png) [@Anise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anise)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-router-that-fulfills-these-specs/581478/1 "2011-05-11T04:02:09Z")
Hi all… (waves) It seems that this should be a simple question to answer, but I haven’t been able to find that simple answer yet. I’m between dating computer geeks, so that might be a big part of the problem… anyway… I need a wireless router that will a.) actually transmit a signal up a flight of stairs to a room in the opposite corner of the house and b.) be easy to set up for someone who is between those geeks, with no new and helpful geek in sight to proffer advice. If a.) cannot be done, I will settle for one that will transmit the signal to the room on the opposite side of the house. The Linksys Wireless-G I have now is absolutely hopeless at this task and the second computer is now insisting that it doesn’t exist at all. There must be a way to do this without running a 50-foot cable… all advice appreciated… ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-router-that-fulfills-these-specs/581478/2 "2011-05-11T04:06:16Z")
> [@Anise](#): > > Hi all… (waves) > > It seems that this should be a simple question to answer, but I haven’t been able to find that simple answer yet. I’m between dating computer geeks, so that might be a big part of the problem… anyway… > > I need a wireless router that will a.) actually transmit a signal up a flight of stairs to a room in the opposite corner of the house and > b.) be easy to set up for someone who is between those geeks, with no new and helpful geek in sight to proffer advice. > > If a.) cannot be done, I will settle for one that will transmit the signal to the room on the opposite side of the house. The Linksys Wireless-G I have now is absolutely hopeless at this task and the second computer is now insisting that it doesn’t exist at all. > > There must be a way to do this without running a 50-foot cable… all advice appreciated… Well, I was gonna suggest the Linksys WRT54G because that’s what I had. I was in the basement on the opposite side of the house from the router and I always had a super strong signal. ---
**Author:** ![Anise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anise/32/21721_2.png) [@Anise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anise)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-router-that-fulfills-these-specs/581478/3 "2011-05-11T06:06:39Z")
Oh dear. That’s the exact one I have, and it’s just been a nightmare. I’m about ready to just run a cable across the kitchen floor. ---
**Author:** ![Hambil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3be4f8/32.png) [@Hambil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hambil)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-router-that-fulfills-these-specs/581478/4 "2011-05-11T06:13:48Z")
> [@Anise](#): > > Oh dear. That’s the exact one I have, and it’s just been a nightmare. I’m about ready to just run a cable across the kitchen floor. Before you do that make sure all the little antennas on the back of the router and the wireless access point are tightly screwed in. You can also get a [wireless range extender](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_23?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=wireless+range+extender&x=0&y=0&sprefix=wireless+range+extender) if you really need. They require virtually no setup. Personally, for easy setup, I’ve had a lot of luck with Netgear products. ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-router-that-fulfills-these-specs/581478/5 "2011-05-11T08:35:22Z")
A change of wifi channels or a firmware update might be in order then, but you probably don’t want to hear about it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-router-that-fulfills-these-specs/581478/6 "2011-05-11T10:18:49Z")
My experience of the Linksys WRT54g is that the radio transmission/reception is better than average. You might get better performance from a wireless N router, but you’re not likely (IMO) to find a wireless G router that works better. Some versions of the WRT54g can be reflashed with new open-source firmware such as DD-WRT or Tomato, enabling them to be re-purposed as a wireless extender or bridge, so one possible solution would be to buy a new router and re-use the WRT54g in the middle of the property, as a range extender. ---
**Author:** ![Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marconi_N.Cheese)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-router-that-fulfills-these-specs/581478/7 "2011-05-11T12:36:56Z")
Have you tried adjusting the location/orientation of the router to the extent possible? 50 feet should certainly be within range of a stock unit. WAPs are usually omni-directional but the coverage isn’t a perfect circle as one might expect. Often the coverage is more egg-shaped due to various reasons. Do you have plaster walls? These usually have metal mesh inside them to hold the plaster. Short of reflashing the firmware you might search for DIY range extenders. I’ve seen some aluminum foil hacks on the web that claim good results. I’ve never tried any so I can’t vouch for their effectiveness. ---
**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:** [May 11, 2011, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-router-that-fulfills-these-specs/581478/8 "2011-05-11T12:45:23Z")
I suggest you consider a powerline network. Here’s some info from Brian Livingston’s Windows Secrets page (It’s a subscription site, so this link might not work for everyone): [http://windowssecrets.com/top-story/get-wired-performance-from-your-wi-fi-network/#story1](http://windowssecrets.com/top-story/get-wired-performance-from-your-wi-fi-network/#story1) > [@](#): > > **The secret sauce: powerline network adapters** > > The secret to success? I ditched the wireless mesh design and connected each of the routers to the network with four new 500Mbps powerline adapters from Netgear. > > By using powerline gear, which turns home electrical wiring into an Ethernet network, we turned a sketchy wireless network backbone into a rock-solid wired one without having to run new Ethernet cabling all over the house. > > Although older 75- and 200Mbps powerline gear has been around for years, it has never really broken through to the mainstream due to both cost (about $75 per adapter, far more than Wi-Fi adapters) and the relatively slow throughput compared to Ethernet cabling. > > The new 500Mbps standard finally breaks the elusive “Ethernet-equivalent” speed barrier, with real-world transfer rates of 70–80Mbps in one direction and more than 100Mbps in both directions at once, thanks to built-in gigabit Ethernet ports. > > Perhaps more to the point, 500Mbps powerline gear can comfortably deliver 40Mbps streaming 1080p video (as from a ripped Blu-ray disc), the current gold standard. And it doesn’t suffer the vagaries of wireless reception. > > \ > > \*\*Mixed Wi-Fi/powerline network-design strategies \*\* > > Although most houses don’t need four Wi-Fi access points to get full coverage, using powerline gear gives you the freedom to put your routers/access points in the places they do the most good. You can place them pretty much anywhere you have a power outlet. If that isn’t your cup of tea, there are RF boosters and better antennas available for little cost. ---
**Author:** ![Anise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anise/32/21721_2.png) [@Anise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anise)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-router-that-fulfills-these-specs/581478/9 "2011-05-31T20:27:59Z")
Hi all… (waves) I kind of lost track of this discussion for awhile, but then I got laid off when my job position was eliminated, so I’ve got lots more time! 🙂 (It’s important to look on the bright side of things, I think…) One more try. All I need is: a.) Simply the name and make of a router that will work better, and THAT’S IT or b.) Horribly technical explanation as to why this isn’t possible, until I run screaming, the last shreds of sanity gone with the wind or c.) FedEx me a geek. They’re nice to have around the house. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-router-that-fulfills-these-specs/581478/10 "2011-06-01T08:43:28Z")
You should seriously consider what Musicat said (powerline networks) or a range extender like Hambil said. While there are little tweaks you can do to the antenna, channel, etc., it’s unlikely to give you the kind of range increase you seem to be looking for; those fixes are best for marginal cases, not necessarily for when you can’t even detect the router. Otherwise, a Wireless N router will theoretically give you better range, but your computer has to support it as well (or you can buy an adapter for it). I don’t have the experience to provide any specific recommendations, unfortunately, except that I keep hearing that Apple routers are great – if you can afford them. The [Apple AirPort Extreme](http://www.amazon.com/Apple-AirPort-Simultaneous-Dual-Band-MC340LL/dp/B002TLTG9E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1306917490&sr=8-1), for example, gets 4.5/5 stars out of 283 reviews on [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com), a very impressive feat for routers (which usually get 3-4 stars). Also on Amazon is another [very highly-rated N router from Medialink](http://www.amazon.com/Medialink-Wireless-802-11n-Internal-Antenna/dp/B0044YU60M) that I’ve never heard of, but damn, it’s got amazing reviews. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-router-that-fulfills-these-specs/581478/11 "2011-06-01T10:24:11Z")
Punching to the other side of a house is tough for a lot of routers. N spec will give you better coverage than G but you need a receiving N to get the full benefit. A Linksys SRX 400 G MIMO type unit ([like this](http://cgi.ebay.com/Linksys-Wireless-G-WRT54GX4-broadband-Router-srx400-/300561505914?pt=COMP_EN_Routers&hash=item45fadc9e7a)) will give you better then normal G coverage even if you do not use a MIMO G adapter, but just regular G adapter. One thing you might want to try before getting a new router [is using one of these](http://cgi.ebay.com/Cisco-Linksys-Wireless-G-USB-WUSB54GS-Adapter-/250826390999?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a666afdd7). It solved my problem in punching across the house and was considerably better than the built in notebook antenna. The USB cable that connects it to the PC lets you move it around for maximum receptivity position. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-router-that-fulfills-these-specs/581478/12 "2011-06-01T11:15:54Z")
Make yourself one of these: [http://www.binarywolf.com/249/diy-parabolic-reflector.htm](http://www.binarywolf.com/249/diy-parabolic-reflector.htm) Put it on one of the antennas, and aim it toward the room you want. You can make one in 15 minutes, from stuff you probably have around the house, and there’s a good chance it will work. If so, it’ll save the cost of buying a new wifi, and if not, it won’t have cost you much at all to try. ETA: Where do you live. I have a geek, but I need to know where to ship him. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-router-that-fulfills-these-specs/581478/13 "2011-06-01T13:36:15Z")
In what sort of house do you live? Do you own it? Have you considered running a cable around the outside of the house, with holes drilled in walls?