Top Tips for Long-Range WiFi / Wireless & Better Coverage
Top 3
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- TIP #1: The channel matters – a lot ! Click to read about best WiFi channels.
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- TIP #2: Use a directional antenna (rather than omni-directional) : Narrower beam = longer range. (Exceptions: Mobile situations like boats)
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- TIP #3: Antenna upgrade will result in big increase in range: Small increase in dBm will multiply the power of the WiFi device
WiFi range comparable to the longest-range WiFi USB adapter
Top Tips for USB WiFi adapters
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- Select from Longest-range WiFi USB adapters & choose best for your situation
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- Antenna upgrade can very significantly increase the range of the WiFi USB adapter
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- Mounts: Set the USB WiFi adapter outdoors, higher or outside a window, where it can receive and transmit WiFi signals much better.
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- Outdoor Enclosure: Set the whole unit outside, in line of sight if possible, or otherwise set it high
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- Use USB ext cables to place the USB wireless adapter in the best position to achieve line-of-sight.
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- Use a directional antenna: The narrower beam = longer range and better signal strength
- Run WiFi adapter/card in 802.11B mode rather than 802.11G mode for more range / distance
- WiFi adapter/card: Should have an antenna jack and the jack should be RP-SMA, rather than other types of antenna jacks
- Frequent travelers should carry a mount for their USB wireless adapter with them, to keep their antenna by the window when in hotel rooms or RV.
Point-to-Point Links
Long-range wireless links: If you are not an expert, and you are experimenting with trying to make a very long-distance link: Try this:
- Use signal booster with a high-gain antenna on one end, and test the link.
- If it’s not enough signal-strength: Put a high-gain grid antenna (such as the A24 Grid Antenna above-left) on both ends.
Pass Thru Trees, Walls; Send High/Low
- 2.4GHz frequency is far better at penetrating walls than 5GHz frequencies. See more advantages and disadvantages of the frequencies
- Long-range wireless links: Use signal booster with a high-gain antenna on one end: See example network diagram. Test and if it’s not enough signal-strength; put a high-gain antenna on both ends.
- TREES: If the tree(s) are not too thick or if your link is from a high point to a low point, 2.4GHz will probably suffice. But if 2.4GHz is over-crowded or the tree(s) are thick, 900MHz would be a better solution.
- The following 900MHz options can pass through a single thick tree, or a small group of trees.
- The lowest-cost option for a short link, to pass through trees, is LOCOM9
- For long-distance links to pass through trees, use NanoBridge M9
- See our category of 900MHz gear
To reach a signal higher or lower than your elevation: Use smaller dBi omni dipole antenna: 2dBi, or 5dBi (not 9dBi or 12dBi). Of the omni-directional portable antennas, 7dBi has the optimal balance between horizontal and vertical range. Read details
To reach a signal higher or lower than your elevation: Use smaller dBi omni dipole antenna: 2dBi, or 5dBi (not 9dBi or 12dBi). Of the omni-directional portable antennas, 7dBi has the optimal balance between horizontal and vertical range.
