low signal strengh

[Wasim]

Hi all. I have recently purchased a wireless linksys router for my home internet connection.

I have setup the router with my broadband modem and all works fine on the pc which is hardwired ( cat 5 to cat 5 of router).

Also the internet on my wireless laptop is working with no problems however there is just one little snag; the connection quality is low on the LAN status box. I have looked over the manual which came with the router and cant find a cure to this little problem. For the record the router is downstairs and the wirless laptop is basically upstairs directly beneath the router.

Any help guys.. and is this a good router which i have bought?

Thanks in advance folk!

[Zxian]

Well... you've made a good choice in the router you bought. I've got the same one at home (different version number, but same model).

As for your signal strength problem, it could simply be a problem with your layout. (You said the laptop is beneath... I'm guessing you meant above) The signal is usually the weakest directly above and below the antennae because of how they work (look into basic E&M if you're interested). If you can imagine a large invisible "donut" around your router (about 15m radius), where the donut would be is where you will find the best signal. It's a funny way of thinking about it, but it's how the signal is emmited from standard antennae.

I'd suggest seeing if you can move the router to another location where you aren't directly above it.

Hope this helps.

[Wasim]

thanks zxian for your fast reply. lol yeah thanks for putting me right about the placement of laptop. i understand what you have said about the doughnut. i will try moving about the router to a better reception place.

i just wonder does wirless telephones have anything to downgrade the signal strengh??

[Zxian]

Only if the phone is a 2.4GHz phone. There are some bands that may interfere with your wireless signal. If you find that you're getting disconnected when talking on the phone or a call comes in, try changing to a different channel in the wireless setup of the router.

[ripken204]

you should never have a wireless card located above the router, the signal going up is horrible. the router send the signal down and out. try plugging the router+modem into a cable line upstairs and see how much better of a signal you get. if its much better then you can consider keeping it upstairs and get a 10$ wirelss card for you comp downstairs. the 10$ card is at newegg and works amazing.

[Wasim]

@ ripken: i have moved the router around a little and i am starting to see an improve in signal strength. i will have to work around to get the router and cable modem in a place which will give me some full strength.

[ripken204]

place the router as high as possible, like on top of a bookshelf. and do not but it near anything that will block the signal like any type of metal or tile. with my router it used to have to go trough a wall which was the bathroom and there is tile on the bathtub's wall, then i rearranged the room so that the router wasnt by that wall and my signal is better.

[Zxian]

I'm pretty sure that the signal is just as weak directly below the router as it is above.

Athough the general idea is correct. I ended up moving my router to the other end of the desk and just running slightly longer CAT5 cables to the computer in that room. I used to get Poor/Low/Average signal in my room (other side of the house), and by simply moving it, I now never see anything lower than Very Good.

Also, keep the antennae away from any EM fields (speakers, CRT monitor, TV, any kind of electric motor, etc). They will interfere with your wireless signal, degrading your wireless capabilities.