Wireless PCIe card antenna extension

Brouw3r on 13/06/2013 - 09:58

I have this wireless card in my pc, but I am quite a distance away from my router and only get 2-3 bars. I want to somehow increase the signal to my computer, preferably without getting one of those range extenders you plug into a power socket. Is it possible to get biggest/better antennae to put on my PCIe card? The router itself can't be moved and doesn't even have an external antenna, it's a Netgear CG3100, bigpond supplied it.

PC is used from gaming almost exclusively so I need good connection. I would even consider a new card if it would greatly increase my signal.

Thanks in advance,

Brouw3r

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • bladerunner on 14/06/2013 - 18:25

    Some cards come with an antenna, which you can often unscrew to fit a network cable and then screw on a better antenna with the right fittings, perhaps elevating it and/or moving it to a better position.

    Best bet would be to upgrade your router and maybe card to the new 802.11ac standard. They're talking gigabit speeds!

  • cheepwun on 15/06/2013 - 20:55

    Disable and/or uninstall and remove the current card.

    Get a USB one with external antenna that you can move around with its usb cable to experiment with better positions. Metal will block the signal unless the metal is behind the antenna where you want the signal to go; if it's blocking the path (in front of the path of where you want the signal to emanate from the antenna, then it's no good).

    Positioning. Usually bring the unit up from the ground if your tower or whatever is down on the floor. Keep it as free from obstructions as possible. Don't be afraid to blu-tack it to a good position if necessary. Sometimes the smallest movements horizontal or vertical can make a big difference.

    Something like this should be fine (and available at plenty of computer stores)
    http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/?model=TL-WN722N

    Experiment with positions for both the adapter and router.

  • Brouw3r on 16/06/2013 - 18:30

    What about this one, only slightly more?

    • cheepwun on 17/06/2013 - 11:50

      Up to you. Try it if you like it. I prefer the single larger antenna model over the 2 smaller antennas of the one you suggested since I have tried both. Don't be swayed by the 300mbps figure thinking you'll get higher speeds.

      Even USB models without an external antenna should be better than your current model hidden behind metal. The (main) key is simply the right position. After that it's antenna gain and power of the unit.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join