Relocating the antenna

Is there any means (cable and fittings available) for moving the antenna from a Linksys WMP54G Wireless adapter and putting it on top of the CPU box instead of behind it? I am getting a weak signal on that computer, and I think the main reason is that the CPU box is shadowing the adapter's antenna.

This computer is downstairs from my gateway, and about 60 feet horizontally removed from the gateway. Unfortunately, the downstairs computer has to face toward the gateway, putting the adapter's antenna behind and in the shadow of the metal CPU box.

I would like to find a small base and the necessary cable to put the antenna on top of the CPU box and try it that way. Have any of you ever done this?

Reply to
Gordon
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Bill Crocker

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Bill Crocker

This is made especially for you ............

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the data sheet

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AirHead

This guy (Brian) has just about anything you'd need and is VERY helpful. I've sent many questions and he sends fast and informative responses back.

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Good luck,

- Tom C.

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Tom C.

Thanks to all who responded. I did some more checking, and my laptop also indicates a weak signal in the region of the downstairs computer. So, it must be related to the house structure. The signal has to pass through the upstairs wall which has fiberboard siding, then through a comp shingled roof, into the down stairs part of the house. It may be that the comp shingles are attenuating it excessively.

The house is in the shape of an L, with my main computer upstairs near the west end of the east-west part of the L, while the other computer is downstairs near the south end of the north-south part of the L. There is nothing else between the two except the house structure. The roof to the downstairs part has fiber particle board sheathing with an aluminum skin on the attic side. This may be the cause of the severe attenuation. This aluminum skin on the roof sheathing is supposed to reflect Infra Red back into space and keep the attic cooler. Maybe it is also a fairly effective radio frequency shield.

The wireless setup works moderately well. It does drop the connection from time to time, but only about 2 or 3 times a day. It may be that someone else in the neighborhood has an RF source that is causing minor interference.

Reply to
Gordon

The signal coming from your upstairs WAP is in the shape of a donut centered on the antenna. You might try reorienting the antennas so that the are parallel with each other, or pointing broadside, not end-on.

You could also use reflectors on both antennas.

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is really easy, and might give you an idea if one of the other reflectors would help even more.

You are not wrong to move the antenna out from behind the computer, regardless of what else you do.

I found that the signal in my house is strongest through the windows, even though they are not in line with the antennas. With a directional antenna on my laptop, pointing directly at the wall where I knew the antenna was did not give the highest signal.

Reply to
dold

Reply to
TechMeister

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