Boosting WiFi Signal if Possible Please

[leon]

Hi Guys,

We are currently on a property where the WiFi signal is quite poor and are only able to pick up 3G at the moment and I expect this will be the case for the duration of our stay here, which will be at least 12 weeks.

Of late I have had great signal strength elsewhere with 4G and even 5G which made loading pages very quick, i think i have been spoiled.

Anyway, is there anyway to boost my signal strength whilst i am on this property, maybe put the WIFi unit outside, maybe put it further from the Computer in the Caravan, or maybe someone could suggest something else.

We use a Telstra 4G portable Wi Fi unit which has served us very well of late.

I also currently use a Netgear WHA3100 Adapter with my Desk Top as well which dose serve me well also.

Would a new faster D Link Adapter or similar prove more efficient maybe :shrug: as i have had the one in the desk top form many years.

So any suggestions would be appreciated please, or am i stuck with the signal strengths until i relocate.
Also the Telstra Tower is in sight wit less than a kilometer away. :shrug:

So is it the WiFi signal strength causing the issue or has the adapter got something to do with it as well.

Thanks in advance.

Leon :thumbsup:

[bojan]

High-gain antenna can help here, position of WiFi server should be as high as possible.
This adapter (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/USB-WiFi-Wireless-Adapter-Dongle-802-11ac-AC600-WPS-5GHz-Dual-Band-5dBi-Antenna/254408211636?epid=14021655092&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item3b3be93cb4:g:RLoAAOSw3ehdv SkH&enc=AQAEAAACQBPxNw%2BVj6nta7CKEs3N0 qX778bxZzeuTzZVV361vX3QB9L0quKyoL2% 2Fw2Hg43gLZFNBHwWeHraAeAIj8SrZykDhh EwDOo0S%2BRZR0sdO2uqcEUjmXSPX7dlgyP cW7Yqt2lTvQ%2B%2BuqISxKJbdo%2BGjKfg QYT8PtfZEnxxRiywbWqZFyOy74WH%2BHQ0J FN1AoZEZW5u%2Bg%2B4j9URB%2FLTeKuRts QN1qf87EZBX6XHT6qLnR9GMdLA6KCV2gB28 hw9KaegVH93x7aw0KsCFrRO3hWYYhxJixXM KSpPyuuE0g3up384VM88JIzOFShJ9lyLX%2 Fso%2BHMLgu%2BLOD3SdFMians0FxtpmHao MQvY9M3T4VBF2o3KWRrQLd9vL%2Ft2dZtxu fbLY1JER5cnQ8fXmn5zk89TIAF7QyunMJrM 1nEJ6jTh8ZZczMOhOZjP4ntTrgF9Mi%2FXO nQbNH9jgHW2%2BSTIADkYx1W6TqPLiqP3Wo aCsZ4yRoCY3TjwloWwau4WAtn%2F1tOBtQZ DCsvZh2%2BG58Bhy%2BJdtaSX%2Fn6jo6ry Kf4neXTe%2FiVD%2BnKwxnSMWfJpKQngRAu 24wB8PBFwJZKjIvN1j9gzV1yBMV6zZNLRA2 5HKC9roPmW4g2pRPBJRmU4lKsAlKJ4af01w bJweYSm6HEWVVQvL0%2BHb0MFZZ9psPUy8K KzOLARnQkNqhAQzjqqL%2Ba4R%2F2ZGYAkm cvH1DMqGe4dNqcwQ2JePL%2BpEpUnq5TlLS wolY%2Bwpfp8cAImRAp1zrX3jI47Zag%3D% 3D&checksum=254408211636290d10a473564f bcaa80ca7ce1f15055) (on comp side) is very useful, as the USB cable could be longer (up to ~3m), and antenna has ~5dB gain.
I was using high gain (15dB), similar to this directional patch antenna (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/14dbi-Long-Range-Antenna-Panel-High-Gain-WiFi-Wlan-Extender-Direction-2-4Ghz-AU/392263412750?epid=21027560034&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item5b54b8ac0e:g:~hUAAOSwgbdcL HX8&enc=AQAEAAACQBPxNw%2BVj6nta7CKEs3N0 qXQuNjDrRw8tDLEg5ydhclgNz4WcrXuSUDA uMw30uQq%2FtuVqjnpozYVgp%2BCmDiEl9P nHzFC%2Fh2yL%2FBeltSyUYffA%2BUVTb4p zn7x%2Fjkyb7sxoNvdSK3AkMd0Y%2FSMusm nPJSKPq62nBTVNTc9ufiDE6fkfumEkNtOdX 6okNPAzyDkfmUyh8KCUe%2BwW4dHHvsbS69 e%2F6jSSuhV%2Fiia4DQsQ1%2FUJL43hUAn H3P1cw3xo1wKNoX2yrnJjTC17iU00H9RWS2 CjNYUvRJni89cjL1HlYvr2E0T2pDHrpxuVQ 7NHNjc7MffG8Pk7TIF7pVx%2Bte9qphiNUZ 4a6daaXmKNeh9FKyu9JwyiXgIwtAu4ykKPF FSNO9H79E%2FY9%2FGm%2FgjjUTSoqiu4B7 SXLdUODwmIf%2FD5h6e%2Bpbxc1dlW%2B7n 69%2F52RGP4tDzy5um0xkpZ%2FPapeGwIWU WVz8GM66hvLOce8PlRAoZ84PvudeLdwTRHD l7cYdmxeqtytOGH6KwWNRMnNnGweG8qLXEU y22sHA%2FW1YBZa%2Bc1Dmuq5kLILTdRx4Q NRZE2tyJna6c%2FS%2FRiZexUOORF3euAK6 YA9e2Ihdr%2FXO76bqPiu2Zj7%2B2g8mLrW tvYl4wTWeblnKLs4VrBrIgTIzugt5YpGUmG Dd9Shhm2h0dss6o7PfUEXcoXEEHNlpYIxMV W2LooKdsCZfdBaKNeXe89JvWb71E8sJs96p yTyKNmzX1VjulmimYgxWRXQydODS%2F3A%3 D%3D&checksum=3922634127506a3321b740254d 308d009b35cfb030c9)..

[leon]

Thank You Bojan, that maybe just what I am looking for, I will have to order one of each i reckon, twenty dollars well spent.

Leon

[multiweb]

:thumbsup:

[leon]

Ok Marc, now what am I to do with a coat hanger please. :shrug:

Leon :thumbsup:

[multiweb]

Bigger antenna. Worked for my 2CV radio back home. Sorry. Bad joke. :P

[JA]

Hi Leon,

Any or all of the the factors you mentioned and others, could easily conspire to degrade the signal you are receiving. In order to maximise the signal you may need to experiment, with the telstra 4G unit and your connection to it to possibly improve matters, but it would be instructive to know:

Q1. Exactly which Telstra 4G unit are you using? Link or picture perhaps
Q2. How are you connecting the Telstra 4G unit to your laptop or PC, wirelessly or via Network Cable or via USB? (There may be more than one way to connect to better advantage)

Having clarified that I would take your Telstra 4G unit outdoors (for testing) to minimise any potential obstruction (metal body of caravan,etc..) , connect it preferably via network cable or USB (if either is available) and initially compare the received signal strength with what you experience inside your caravan.

Then rotate the telstra 4G device to see whether there is any increase in signal strength (there may not be depending on the directionality or omnidirectionality of the receiving aerial inside the device or outside the device if an external aerial is fitted.)

Next try to use a metal reflector (perhaps a metal trash can lid or sheet metal circa 300-400mm square or so) to increase the signal strength, placed behind the aerial and perpendicular to the line in space between the Telstra 4G unit and the Telstra Tower you believe is servicing your area. Experiment with reflector position Perhaps 10-100mm away from aerial/4G device), orientation and shape in an attempt to maximise received signal, providing that your device has some way of showing you the received signal strength (hopefully).

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|..........o....................... ................................... ...............................X < Telstra Tower
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Reflector ^Telstra 4G Unit


If you notice any improvements fine tune them for max signal and then go inside and compare and don't play outside/leave gear out during storms, etc..

I once had success with twin metal parabolic reflectors on an indoor twin aerial wireless modem increasing range and reducing omni-directionality (helping to keep out potential snoops towards the front of our property). I've never tried a "cantenna waveguide" (Think large coffee can with aerial "precisely" located inside), but it may be of use to you in creating a stronger signal.

Or ask an RF guy :D

Best
JA

[leon]

Thanks for all that helpful information JA, I have a number of options open available for me.
The unit that i use is very similar to this in the picture.

Leon :thumbsup: