Wireless Router signal strength improvements

Hello all! I'm looking for input from the community on how to improve a wireless routers signal strength.

I have visited a couple of free antenna sites but there seems to be an overload of "in-depth" info that's not specific to home users.

I am using a Dlink DIR-655 draft N wireless router with cable internet. This router is placed in an upstairs bedroom on top of the computer desk and close to the cable modem. The wireless signal is fair at best on that floor and the main floor.

With all that said I am looking for input from those that have experience with addressing the issue of improving this type of wireless issue.

I am very interested in "home created" antenna vs. retail antenna improvements.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Tags: antenna, signal, wireless

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Permalink Reply by Kildar on April 28, 2009 at 8:30am: Here is a link and a video...I hope that this helps!!!

http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template/

WIFI Antenna Hack! - For more of the funniest videos, click here; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ken Jones on April 28, 2009 at 8:58am: Have you tried this and if so did you see an improvement?

Thanks!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kildar on April 28, 2009 at 9:02am: No sir, I have not tried this. My wireless router works phenomenally. I have no need to boost the signal strength!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Greg De Santis on April 28, 2009 at 3:41pm: Here are a few more designs of various types to look at and generate more ideas. It seems like almost everyone has a slightly different take on antenna enhancement designs. I have not used any of these designs because I ended up running a cat5e network cable through my floor and hooking up a second router for the downstairs which gave me both full coverage upstairs and full coverage downstairs. And in my case - so what if I have two wireless access points connected by a single network wire to get full coverage upstairs (even in the attic) and downstairs (even outside on the patio) with no dead spots. For me this was a very easy solution to do.

Home made WLAN 802.11 Antennas.
http://www.educypedia.be/electronics/Wlan-antenna/wlan-antennas2.htm

Deep Dish Cylindrical Parabolic Template
http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template/

Homemade WiFi Lid Antenna.
http://www.josepino.com/other_projects/?howto_wifi_lid_antenna.jpc

Make A Home Made Wi-Fi Antenna
http://www.techtastic.ca/articles/homemade-antenna.html; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ken on April 28, 2009 at 4:24pm: Remember this guy?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Greg De Santis on April 28, 2009 at 4:34pm: Oh yes this is one good video. I was looking for it and I actually could not find it today. Thanks for posting the video. :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ken on April 28, 2009 at 5:39pm: Your welcome, the google TV beta is a hoax though:(; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by RicAldr on April 29, 2009 at 1:37am: Does this cell phone need to be a cell getting "service"?

OR

Can i put to use an old cell i have in a drawer by just adding battery power to it and turning it on?

Also would there be any charges to this cell phone using it in this matter?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Charan on April 28, 2009 at 6:56pm: IF any improvement is seen . inform us.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Baulddude on April 29, 2009 at 2:26am: I added a couple of parabolic antenna to my router because I was not getting a good signal, i was only getting 1 bar but after I installed the antennas it went to full strength. My system was on the same floor and because the parabolic antennas focus the signal in a specific direction this might not work or your multi floor set-up. I used the windsurfer design, made from cardboard and tin foil using this template.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ken Jones on April 29, 2009 at 2:57am: Thanks for all the great replies, I plan on working on building a few of these this weekend; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by LADYTECH on April 29, 2009 at 5:58am: this is the second one i see like this Kildar and it cracks me up !!

u spend well some of us do an estimate of $100 on a router and make your own antenna. FOr my linksys router (G) i purchased separately (3) 7db linksys antennas on it instead of the ones it came with and i also got a singal booster made by hawking that worked great !! so you have alot options. make it or buy it. Personally I've never tried to make my own. but I have used what i stated above and it works great !!! acutally i have a wireless n booster if i'm corrct that i have sitting around for like months and i still haven't decided on what wireless router to buy.

how does your work for u and what type of cards did you buy? i guess thats why i'm holding of on the N routers because the word out there is these things are still so new N stands for NO GOOD !

so I'm still searchn.; ▶ Reply to This