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Do any of y'all know the answer to this of the top of your head?
A buddy of mine who's a student is able to detect his local university's Wi-Fi at his house (he's using a laptop w/Win XP), but the signal is too weak for him to establish a data link. Any ideas on how he can tap into it? Can he install an external antenna of some kind and connect it to a Wi-Fi repeater (if there is such a thing)?
There is no Cable or DSL offered at his location otherwise.
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its certainly possible although that sort of thing is well beyond my area of understanding
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A Wifi repeater (usually need to be the same brand as the original router-or at least the same chipset)---or he could use a Wireless Bridge/Game adapter in his room that connects to his ethernet port.
He should contact the school IP department--they will know what works---unless this really isn't for a "buddy" :-)
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[quote Ken Sp.]A Wifi repeater (usually need to be the same brand as the original router-or at least the same chipset)---or he could use a Wireless Bridge/Game adapter in his room that connects to his ethernet port.
He should contact the school IP department--they will know what works---unless this really isn't for a "buddy" :-)
Never had a problem mixing repeater chipsets, nor brands.
Try a repeater, many of them have an external antenna, that alone makes it more sensitive to picking up weak signals.
I have picked up several for friends, and clients. None over $18, all of them with external antennae. The nice thing about a repeater is that you can put it wherever the strongest signal is, so you don't have to jam yourself on top of the file cabinet just to check your email.
BGnR
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How about a Cantenna?
http://www.cantenna.com/
-Tofer
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[quote Ken Sp.]---unless this really isn't for a "buddy" :-)
Ha ha, I'm actually in the middle of a pretty nice suburb here in Little Rock. Have access to DSL and Cable (which is what I use) along w/three other Wi-Fi signals.
Still though, I wouldn't have a problem using a nearby schools wi-fi if it were available...(^_^)
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A repeater and home-made parabolic antenna -- see freeantennas.com for one that fits over the wand antenna and really boosts the signal. Made from foam, cardboard and aluminum foil.
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Many public libraries now are wifi hotspots that have no problem with such activity.
