21 replies to this topic

[Hum]

I just got a wi-fi booster for when I'm on the run with my netbook.

Supposed to boost weak signals, and it seems to.

I detected 2 'Excellent' signals, so just for the heck of it, I apparently connected to the two, at the same time.


Is this possible ? Should you do it ?

The thing is, doing this seems to slow down the whole Net surfing.

Speedtest simply slowed to a crawl.

Web sites don't fully load.


I haven't played with wi-fi much, so this is all new to me.


Thanks for any info.

[+remixedcat]

what booster is it? is it Amped wireless? or something else?

it's not a TP-Link is it??

[Hum]

^ Running Windows 7 Ultimate, 64-bit

WiFi X10 booster --> http://www.betterwifirange.com/

After tinkering a bit, the SpeedTest.net doesn't seem to like the other network, 'Belkin N Wirless'.

Works OK with the usual network I use.

[+remixedcat]

my sis had a belkin that only lasted a day so I wouldn't put it past it... LMNASO

[+BudMan]

Thats not a booster - thats just a wireless card with a better antenna.. Looks a lot like a typical alfa card with suction cup holder.




Your not suppose to use it at the same time you use your built in wireless. Disable your built in wireless and just use the new wireless card you bought

That website btw reminded me of this http://j-walk.com/other/wifispray/

I would not in a million years buy something off a site like that..

I bought the Alfa AWUS051NH 500mW awhile back, works great with back track right out of the box. And yeah sitting on top desk it picks up like 25 wireless networks in my area, vs say the wifes wireless card seeing like 7.

[Hum]

^ Why does it say 'Booster' and 'up to 10 times stronger signal' then ?

Why does it use USB port power ?

No suction cup included

Also, it seems to be running fine, without disabling anything.

[+BudMan]

Yeah you can plug in as many nics as you want -- does not mean you USE them all at the same time connected to the same network

Maybe you just need some of that wifi spray to go along with your "booster"

Why does it say booster and 10X -- because you can clearly see who they are catering too.. The typical clueless user! Would you have bought it if said 500mw, with 5dbi antenna? hehehe

Where are the specs of the card and the antenna? is it 2.4ghz or 5ghz for N? What is it transmit power? What is the gain on that antenna? Etc.. So you bought the card because it said 10X on it?? Strength score 5 out 5 -- that sure seems like a technical spec to me

[]SK[]

I've seen better website designed on Geocities in 1997.

*Edit*

BudMan, on 02 May 2012 - 19:06, said:

That website btw reminded me of this http://j-walk.com/other/wifispray/

Only just saw this. That's awesome

[Hum]

I don't have Alfa AWUS051NH 500mW.

Mine is Wifix10, 1000 mW rated power.

It is picking up some more network signals, and boosting the strength on some.



One other wi-fi question:

What would cause a 'good' or 'excellent' signal not being connected to ?

Too many computers using it .... ?

[+BudMan]

they didn't include the suction cup holder because they are selling it as an add on



Look at the card in the picture from their site - that sure looks like a alfa card too me.. Which are good cards.

But your not suppose to use it at the same time as your built in card, atleast not connected to the same wireless network, etc.

Disable your built in card, and just use the new wireless card you purchased -- again its not a BOOSTER, that is just their marketing nonsense.

What is the model number on the card? From the shape I would say its a alfa card.

As to not connecting to a network, not the correct WPA PSK, WEP KEY would be my guesses. What is the setting on the network? WPA, WPA2, WEP, is mac filtering enabled?

"boosting the strength on some."

Yeah that's called an antenna with gain Vs that not very good antenna in your laptop case, etc.

[Hum]

BudMan, on 02 May 2012 - 19:34, said:

they didn't include the suction cup holder because they are selling it as an add on

suctioncup.jpg NOT paying $7 for a piece of plastic

What is the model number on the card? From the shape I would say its a alfa card.

As to not connecting to a network, not the correct WPA PSK, WEP KEY would be my guesses.

You guessed wrong.

It is not an Alpha card.

Bottom label reads: WiFi x10, 802.11b/g High Power, Wireless USB Adapter, a serial number, wifix10.com, Made in China (I'm shocked ).

And I was refering to unsecured networks -- No 'keys' or passwords needed.

Sometimes the wi-fi connects -- sometimes not.

I thought it was usually because the signal was not quite strong enuff, or too many computers were sucking up the signal.

[hjf288]

Ever heard of rebranding?

It kinda matches: http://www.alfa.com....Category=105479

Right down to the 1mW and Realtek 8187L Chipset

But yeah using both your onboard wireless and the USB adapter is not the wisest thing to do..

So just stick with your USB Wifi..

[Hum]

^ Yeah, someone could have just repackaged an old design.

Right at the moment, I'm connected to 2 signals ! Feeling mad with Power

I'll try using my new gadget, without the built-in.

Maybe I'll even read the manual ...

Thanks.

[+BudMan]

mad with power -- ok sure lets run 2 transmitters in the same freq band right next to each other.. That should allow for great reception on both of them

Like using your laptop on top of your microwave next to your cordless phone -- that sure helps your wireless signal as well

Your routing table is only going to use one of those to access the internet anyway by the way. One with better listed connection speed unless you have changed the metric, etc. Now you might want to do that if say you wanted to connected to devices on wireless network 1 on network 192.168.1.0/24 and same time connect to other devices on wireless network 2 that was on 192.168.2.0/24

connecting to 2 wireless networks with 2 different wireless cards is just asking for crappy connection on both of them. And if they happen to be on the same network - could cause you issues connecting to the devices on the one you want to connect to.

Turn off you built in and you should be good to go.

[Hum]

I have discovered there is no need to turn off the built-in wi-fi detection.

The list simply displays the normal and the boosted signals separately.

All you have to do, is not connect to the weaker 1st list.


I had 2 connections at the library today -- computer was on steroids -- got 6 meg download speeds -- amazing.


I still wonder why some good/excellent, Unsecured signals sometimes will not Connect.