OT: Improving laptop wifi reception

[Christopher Svanefalk]

On 08/25/2011 08:04 AM, Shiv Manas wrote:
> On Thu, Aug 25, 2011 at 4:43 PM, Tim <ignored_mailbox at yahoo.com.au> wrote:
>> On Wed, 2011-08-24 at 13:27 +0100, Paul Smith wrote:
>>> Is there some device that can boost a laptop wifi reception? In the
>>> library where I spend some time studying, I usually get a signal with
>>> a quality of about 20%.
>> Well, is that really a problem?  Some of the signal meters don't mean a
>> great deal.  They can show a combination of strength and/or quality,
>> where the threshold of goodness could be anywhere.
> I agree.
>
> In my university for example, in one of the rooms, I barely get a
> signal - however, I am able to download at a decent speed. On the
> other had, I noticed that upload speeds are directly proportional to
> the signal strength. So unless you're doing heavy uploads, I don't see
> low signal strength as an issue for regular web-surfing.
>
>
>> The alternative is to replace the wireless interface with an external
>> one, one with either a better antenna, or a removable one where you can
>> fit a better one.  You can get USB wireless interfaces, or ones that
>> plug into the card slot.
>>
>> A simpler thing to try, first, is sitting in a different spot in the
>> library.
>>
>> Better reception may not help if they have a poor network, anyway, with
>> too many clients simultaneously using a low bandwidth network.
>>
> +1 to all the above.
>
> Paul, if you do consider buying a USB wireless interface, might I
> suggest going for one which has a detachable external antenna?
> I can happily recommend any Alfa brand USB WiFi adapters - they have a
> long range, are compatible with most distros, and are very affordable.
> Personally I use the AWUS036NH which has a massive 2W output. Couple
> that with a 5dBi or higher antenna and you can catch a signal from
> miles away!
>
>
> - Shiv

Arent the drivers for external adapters rather tricky to install though?
Last time I tried I had to port Windows binaries into the kernel, which
requires the use of external repositories.