2 replies to this topic

[Motor]

I live in an apartment complex that offers us public WiFi.  I can log on to the public WiFi, 50 feet from my apartment (THE APARTMENT CLUB HOUSE) and the service is great.  If I stay logged in on the internet and walk 50 feet to my apartment, the signal drops in about 15 minutes.   I have no access to the public WiFi router    What product do I need to purchase for my laptop that will keep the signal strong?  I DONT WANT TO purchase individual internet service for for my apartment.  The public WiFi offering is why I chose to live in the apartment complex

[paws]

Hi motor and welcome to our forums

Sorry to hear about the wifi issues you are experiencing:

 

If you chose the apartment because of the advertised included wifi and then on taking up residency you found that wifi was not available in your apartment's location then may be it would be wise to take it up with the owners of the wifi service. In a lot of jurisdictions this would be  up to the owners of the service/apartment complex to put right, either by improving the antenna of their wireless access point (transmitter) or offering you an alternative apartment that has the promised wifi access.

 

Assuming that for the moment you would prefer to purchase a device to boost the reception capabilities of your laptop computer then a directional antenna ( plugging into a USB port) might fit the bill, Something with a 8dBi gain or so would provide a substantial improvement over the standard antenna fitted into most laptops.

 

I have used a parabolic USB wifi adapter plugging directly into a USB port to good effect, and "focusing" this on the wireless access point is made easier if it is equipped with a signal strength indicator.

 

You can make your own parabolic device if you are handy at this sort of thing but proprietary versions are widely available... here's an example of a small form factor version that is only a few inches across, that has its own USB cable and can sit easily on a desk or windowsill making it easy to focus in, on the wireless source

 

https://www.amazon.c...D/dp/B000DINCIQ

 

The DIY version needs a little research .. more information available from here:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WokFi

 

Post back if you need amplification on any of this.

Regards

paws

[Tomk]

For what it's worth... my son had a similiar situation a few years ago.  He built a simply pringles can antenna.  Had good luck with it.  Basically he did this: 

 

I think this is an easier antenna: http://mods-n-hacks....ception-210506/