What range should I expect from a Linksys Wireles-G/54g/draft 802.11g router?

CZroe · 03-02-2003

I'm getting crap range with this router. I live in an 80' trailer and I'd expect it to cover all. However, I can only get 100% link and connection quality when I hold the laptop within 2' of it and even then I can see the quality bars fluctuate out of "Excellent" range.

I'm using Belkin version 1 802.11b adapters. I have two, so I guess it's not a range problem with them. At work, I can detect APs from pretty far away with comparatively good range using this card (Though I'm not allowed on the network, I'm just a security guard).

This is my first access point at home, so I'm not sure what I should expect, but less than 25' away in the next room with clear line-of-site I only get ~70% connection quality. It be surprised if the signal even makes it out of my trailer! I can't even walk 50' away through a wide-open hallway to the bathroom without it loosing connection (Not a flaky on/off kind of loss, I mean the connection is gone until I get back in the living room with the access point).

I noticed that Linksys started selling their signal booster at about the same time this was released. Is there a conspiracy here to sell range-boosters?

I've been told to expect between 100-150' range for average equipment in normal situations. I can't even get 60' before it's unuseable. An Orinoco card is ABOVE average, so please don't suggest it as what I need AGAIN

extremegnome · 03-04-2003

Probably some kind of interference. My 54G AP works great and has pretty good range. I am using a Linksys 54G PC Card and I can get a strong signal anywhere in my house and even outside atleast 1 house down.

I did notice that my 2.4ghz phone causes some trouble. I have dropped my connectin when answering the phone a few times. Since then, I changed the channels and it has worked great ever since.

CZroe · 03-09-2003

Hmm, well I'll have to try it with a 54G card...

Anyone wanna trade one for two Prism2 cards?

biggus · 03-10-2003

My Cybergenie 24.Ghz transmitter sits right next to my WAP, D-Link.

I could NOT get a stable connection using a D-Link PC card in my laptop. I switched to an external Wireless USB Adapter I picked up a comready.com ... perfect signal every time.

The USB adapter was cheap $35, it has a small antenna built-in. It flips up to make connection. My guess is that the "cheap" USB design is better due to antenna placement.

Okay, so what do YOU do? I'd move the WAP first, 4' can make a big difference in a shotgun shaped space. Due to the shape of your home you may want to try both verticle AND lateral movements.

I assume the WAP has the little stick antenna(s), rotate the antenna(s) 90 degrees. This will change you doughnut's orientation from horizontal to vertical. Now, move the wap so that is is against a side wall, antenna(s) pointing inwards toward the room. This may help with reflections from the sidewalls of your home.

If those don't do anything, I'd go with a diskone or patch antenna under the trailer, upside down. The patch looks almost too easy to build and it's been used to solve in-house signal problems. Follow the patch links to find details. (Links in the faq section.)

agentgrn · 03-10-2003

If it's any comfort, I can't sit in my living room and use the wireless signal from my office...and I live in a 2-bedroom apartment. That's probably 40' corner to corner.

Granted, I think interference in the spectrum is probably more likely to blame...but I don't have the equipment to test for sure just yet.

03-02-2003	#1 (permalink)
CZroe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 38	What range should I expect from a Linksys Wireles-G/54g/draft 802.11g router? I'm getting crap range with this router. I live in an 80' trailer and I'd expect it to cover all. However, I can only get 100% link and connection quality when I hold the laptop within 2' of it and even then I can see the quality bars fluctuate out of "Excellent" range. I'm using Belkin version 1 802.11b adapters. I have two, so I guess it's not a range problem with them. At work, I can detect APs from pretty far away with comparatively good range using this card (Though I'm not allowed on the network, I'm just a security guard). This is my first access point at home, so I'm not sure what I should expect, but less than 25' away in the next room with clear line-of-site I only get ~70% connection quality. It be surprised if the signal even makes it out of my trailer! I can't even walk 50' away through a wide-open hallway to the bathroom without it loosing connection (Not a flaky on/off kind of loss, I mean the connection is gone until I get back in the living room with the access point). I noticed that Linksys started selling their signal booster at about the same time this was released. Is there a conspiracy here to sell range-boosters? I've been told to expect between 100-150' range for average equipment in normal situations. I can't even get 60' before it's unuseable. An Orinoco card is ABOVE average, so please don't suggest it as what I need AGAIN Last edited by CZroe : 03-02-2003 at 11:17 AM.

03-04-2003	#2 (permalink)
extremegnome Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: TX Posts: 1	Probably some kind of interference. My 54G AP works great and has pretty good range. I am using a Linksys 54G PC Card and I can get a strong signal anywhere in my house and even outside atleast 1 house down. I did notice that my 2.4ghz phone causes some trouble. I have dropped my connectin when answering the phone a few times. Since then, I changed the channels and it has worked great ever since. __________________ Jeremy

03-10-2003	#4 (permalink)
biggus Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5	2.4Ghz. phone vs. WAP My Cybergenie 24.Ghz transmitter sits right next to my WAP, D-Link. I could NOT get a stable connection using a D-Link PC card in my laptop. I switched to an external Wireless USB Adapter I picked up a comready.com ... perfect signal every time. The USB adapter was cheap $35, it has a small antenna built-in. It flips up to make connection. My guess is that the "cheap" USB design is better due to antenna placement. Okay, so what do YOU do? I'd move the WAP first, 4' can make a big difference in a shotgun shaped space. Due to the shape of your home you may want to try both verticle AND lateral movements. I assume the WAP has the little stick antenna(s), rotate the antenna(s) 90 degrees. This will change you doughnut's orientation from horizontal to vertical. Now, move the wap so that is is against a side wall, antenna(s) pointing inwards toward the room. This may help with reflections from the sidewalls of your home. If those don't do anything, I'd go with a diskone or patch antenna under the trailer, upside down. The patch looks almost too easy to build and it's been used to solve in-house signal problems. Follow the patch links to find details. (Links in the faq section.)

03-10-2003	#5 (permalink)
agentgrn KB1JQO - Packin' Heat Join Date: May 2002 Location: Worcester, MA Posts: 517	If it's any comfort, I can't sit in my living room and use the wireless signal from my office...and I live in a 2-bedroom apartment. That's probably 40' corner to corner. Granted, I think interference in the spectrum is probably more likely to blame...but I don't have the equipment to test for sure just yet. __________________ -A.G.-

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03-09-2003	#3 (permalink)
CZroe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 38	Hmm, well I'll have to try it with a 54G card... Anyone wanna trade one for two Prism2 cards?