Improving router signal

[ERCougar]

Someone on here must have dealt with this problem. Router in office which is upstairs. Crappy wifi coverage downstairs. Aside from repositioning the router (which isn't very feasible), how do we improve coverage downstairs? I have a spare router that still works well. Can I somehow hook this up downstairs and then relay the signal from there? Or is it just relaying an already weak signal? We're setting up a home theater, so a strong signal is actually more important downstairs (not in the office) than upstairs, although I'd obviously prefer a strong signal both places.

I've looked around online and am seeing two main suggestions--a wireless "repeater" and the Apple Airport Extreme. But when I look on Apple's website, it looks like the Airport is just another router, and overpriced at that (shocker). Help?

[Jeff Lebowski]

I recently dumped my linksys and got an Apple Airport Express (~$100). Best wifi router I have ever had in terms of signal strength and robustness.

You may want to consider a powerline adapter kit. Turns your home wiring system into a wired ethernet network. Works beautifully. That way you can have a superfast wired connection for your home theater. You could also add a second wifi router for your basement if you wanted to.

[ERCougar]

I recently dumped my linksys and got an Apple Airport Express (~$100). Best wifi router I have ever had in terms of signal strength and robustness.

You may want to consider a powerline adapter kit. Turns your home wiring system into a wired ethernet network. Works beautifully. That way you can have a superfast wired connection for your home theater. You could also add a second wifi router for your basement if you wanted to.

Interesting.
Is this what you're talking about?

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS442US442&q=powerline+adapter+kit&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=4141847349384562763&sa=X&ei=7s2pTuycOuqIsQLT5InnDw&ved=0CEUQ8wIwAA

Would the second router just connect directly into the adapter (which I assume just plugs into an AV outlet)?

[Jeff Lebowski]

Interesting.
Is this what you're talking about?

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS442US442&q=powerline+adapter+kit&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=4141847349384562763&sa=X&ei=7s2pTuycOuqIsQLT5InnDw&ved=0CEUQ8wIwAA

Would the second router just connect directly into the adapter (which I assume just plugs into an AV outlet)?

Yep. I have the Panasonic version.

My incoming broadband connection is in my garage. I have a fast router (non-wifi) there that acts as my core router. I have my master powerline unit connected to that router and it is plugged in to the wall socket. That provides the link for all of the wall sockets in my house. For certain locations (office, home theater, etc.) I use a child powerline unit to get a superfast wired connection. Then I put my Apple wifi router in the center of my house where I get optimal coverage for the entire house (up and down). I connect the Apple wifi router to the system using another child powerline unit. Works beautifully.

[ewth8tr]

What kind of routers do you have? Some options are replacing the antennas on the primary router, or, if the spare router is capable, you can use DD-WRT firmware to turn the spare router in to a wireless repeater.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Yep. I have the Panasonic version.

My incoming broadband connection is in my garage. I have a fast router (non-wifi) there that acts as my core router. I have my master powerline unit connected to that router and it is plugged in to the wall socket. That provides the link for all of the wall sockets in my house. For certain locations (office, home theater, etc.) I use a child powerline unit to get a superfast wired connection. Then I put my Apple wifi router in the center of my house where I get optimal coverage for the entire house (up and down). I connect the Apple wifi router to the system using another child powerline unit. Works beautifully.

By the way, in this scenario my Apple Airport Express acts simply as a wifi bridge, not a router. You can change it in the settings. Otherwise you have two networks and printing, file sharing, etc. becomes a hassle.

[doctorcoug]

What kind of routers do you have? Some options are replacing the antennas on the primary router, or, if the spare router is capable, you can use DD-WRT firmware to turn the spare router in to a wireless repeater.

I second this comment. DD-WRT firmware is awesome.

[ERCougar]

Thanks guys. That power link thing looks perfect. Ddwrt isnt available on my new router, but I haven't checked on the old one yet.

[Parrot Head]

I, too, highly recommend a Powerline adapter. I bought this Brite-View a year ago for the price and that it was a 200 Mbps model and while the first set they sent wasn't working properly, the replacement was sent quickly and it has worked great. My home router is a Buffalo and I have a VPN-enabled Cisco for my office so I needed a direct connection in the office. I tried a NetGear in place of the Buffalo, as well as some other Verizon router, but went back to the 4-year-old Buffalo.

[FMCoug]

I agree that wired is always the best way to go. My house is wired with Cat5 but if it wasn't I would go with a PowerLine network for sure. WiFi is fine for laptops, phones, tablets, etc. but anything stationary should be hardwired IMO.

[TripletDaddy]

I agree that wired is always the best way to go. My house is wired with Cat5 but if it wasn't I would go with a PowerLine network for sure. WiFi is fine for laptops, phones, tablets, etc. but anything stationary should be hardwired IMO.

Our place is hard wired throughout but I have the wi if problem with the tablet.if I'm all the way upstairs, the wi fi signal is weak. Although I don't know how much of that is the iPad itself. I often find that I need to turn the radio off and then back on again otherwise the device simply loads and loads a page, eventually disconnecting altogether. It can be very annoying.

[FMCoug]

Our place is hard wired throughout but I have the wi if problem with the tablet.if I'm all the way upstairs, the wi fi signal is weak. Although I don't know how much of that is the iPad itself. I often find that I need to turn the radio off and then back on again otherwise the device simply loads and loads a page, eventually disconnecting altogether. It can be very annoying.

I have the same problem with my Android tablet.

[Parrot Head]

I have the same problem with my Android tablet.

Shhh! Don't admit that -- here's a chance to have the Apple product show it's inferiority.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Our place is hard wired throughout but I have the wi if problem with the tablet.if I'm all the way upstairs, the wi fi signal is weak. Although I don't know how much of that is the iPad itself. I often find that I need to turn the radio off and then back on again otherwise the device simply loads and loads a page, eventually disconnecting altogether. It can be very annoying.

Add a wifi bridge. They aren't that expensive and you can get strong coverage everywhere.

[ERCougar]

By the way, in this scenario my Apple Airport Express acts simply as a wifi bridge, not a router. You can change it in the settings. Otherwise you have two networks and printing, file sharing, etc. becomes a hassle.

Can most routers act as either a bridge or a router? The thing is, I already have two routers--and old one that still works (but I'm not using) and a newer one that I'm using, but that doesn't have a great signal in the basement. So I'd rather not buy a third router or a bridge. I'm guessing the bridge picks up the wifi signal and amplifies it somehow? Or does it have to connect into the wall as well (i.e. I still need the powerline adapter)?