Improve your WI-FI Signal

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This page suggests ways of improving your WI-FI reception inside mobile homes, caravans, canal boats, or at any location where the signal strength is reduced by buildings or metal structures. If you have any questions that are not answered below click here to contact us. Items with an Add to cart button can be purchased via Google Checkout or with your credit card. All prices include UK Mainland Delivery. Please allow up to 7 days for your hardware to be prepared and delivered.

Why do I get a problem with WI-FI reception?

WI-FI signals are broadcast on 11 standard frequencies in the 2.4GHz range. This is a high frequency signal similar to your mobile phone and you may have noticed that the reception on a mobile is not always as good indoors as it is outside. Because WI-FI is on a public unlicensed frequency the transmitter has to be relatively low powered and this makes the problem even worse especially inside buildings or metal structures such as mobile homes and canal boats. The best way to overcome this is to have unobstructed line of sight between the transmitting antenna and the receiving computer or device. Unfortunately it's not always practical in the British weather to sit outdoors with your laptop so one of the simplest ways to achieve a better signal is to fix a USB Wireless Adaptor to the inside of a window facing the transmitter. You can get significantly more improvement by connecting the adaptor to a High Gain WI-FI Antenna.

What type of Wireless Receiver do I need?

For the vast majority of Hotspot Users a simple USB Wireless Adaptor is the best answer. If you want to connect a single computer to the Wireless Hotspot it's easy to install and use. 1stHotspot USB Wireless Adaptors can be used with or without a High Gain WI-FI Antenna and drivers are available for Microsoft Vista. A Wireless Ethernet Bridge works in the same way but through your network port. If you want to run a number of computers or devices on you own internal network from a Hotspot Internet Connection then you will need a Wireless Ethernet Bridge and a Router. The 1stHotspot Wireless Client and 5 Port Router combines these two pieces of hardware into one easy to use box. Attach the antenna, plug your computers and devices into the ethernet ports, then connect to your Wireless Hotspot.

	802.11g USB Wireless Adaptor with built-in Patch Antenna and Reverse SMA Connector for a High Gain Outdoor WI-FI Antenna	£32.00
	Combination Wireless Client and 5 Port Router with standard 2dB Antenna and Reverse SMA Connector for a High Gain Outdoor WI-FI Antenna	£80.00

Which sort of Antenna is best for me?

If you have a window facing the WI-FI transmitter our new Patch Antenna can provide an easy and inexpensive answer. When you're not sure which direction a signal is coming from or you want a low cost solution that can be connected as required a Magnetic Omni Directional Antenna will be the best bet. High Gain Panel Antennas will give a stronger signal reception but like your TV aerial must point in the general direction of the transmitter. They cost a little more but are highly effective when you have a permanent stand or mooring.

	Low Cost Patch Antenna with adhesive pad for Window Fixing. Supplied with cable for a Reverse SMA connection.	£15.00
	Low Cost Omni Directional Antenna with Magnetic Base. Supplied with cable for a Reverse SMA connection.	£18.00
	High Gain Panel Antenna with wall mounting bracket. Supplied complete with 5 metre cable for a Reverse SMA connection.	£40.00
	Adjustable Wall or Pole Mount for a High Gain Panel Antenna	£10.00

Can I extend the cables to suit my needs?

In general it is better to extend the total distance from the computer to the antenna using CAT5e network cable or USB extension leads between the wireless adaptor and the computer rather than coaxial cable between the wireless adaptor and the antenna. This is because the more coaxial antenna cable you use the higher the signal loss. We supply a 3 metre USB extension lead free of charge if you order a USB Wireless Adaptor and antenna at the same time.