Wireless Router Recommendation

[ginky4]

What router on the market these days provides the greatest wireless signal distance? I have a friend with a fairly large house that is having signal strength issues because of the size of his house.


I prefer Linksys routers myself but I am not sure which one to recommend to him. His current router is giving him a distance of about 30 feet and then the signal drops off. I would need a wireless router that will broadcast a signal about 150 feet or more.

[ecross]

Hello Ginky,

Adding a wireless repeater would help extend the range of the signal. Linksys does provide wireless range extenders, also called signal booters which works like a repeater.

For more information, please see:

http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/1571601

http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/WRE54G

[Midknyte]

His current router is giving him a distance of about 30 feet and then the signal drops off. I would need a wireless router that will broadcast a signal about 150 feet or more.

Could you at least tell us what he has now? 150ft is asking a lot with all the interference in a house.

Even the best routers will have problems with solid walls and multiple floors. Could you give more information about the environment? (# of floors, wood/drywall/concrete walls, etc.)

You can look at reviews here:
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/

[ginky4]

He has a Westell Verizon modem/router combo. Not sure of the model. It has one single antenna. This house is mostly drywall but it is 8000 square feet with 3 floors. I am getting a Wifi signal distance of about 40 feet. After that the signal pretty much disappears. What do they use in Airports, Schools, Libraries, ect. that are broadcasting these robust signals?

[Train]

Change the antenna for a starter.

10 tips for improving your wireless network
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/setup/wirelesstips.aspx

[Midknyte]

He has a Westell Verizon modem/router combo.

That's pretty weak sauce. If anything, I'd start by looking at a draft-N router, since it would have mimo.

What's the budget?

[ginky4]

Money is not an issue in this case. The person is willing to spend whatever it takes to increase this signal throughout their house. I was looking at some of the new Linksys Wireless N routers. I just haven't used any of them yet so I wasn't sure if they would increase the signal range that much.

[Midknyte]

Your mileage will vary, but you can compare here:
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/component/option,com_wireless/Itemid,200

Linksys is as popular as ever. D-Link makes some pretty good draft-N routers also.