Extending wireless range

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Amans · #1 Post by **Amans** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 8:53 am

Hi, All.
Has anyone found a good way of increasing the range on the T42's wireless card, or a card that has excellent range and which is particularly effective on the T42? I find that the T42 will often not see an access point where I've had other equipment see it. However, when I get closer to the access point, the T42 connects beautifully. I'd be grateful for any recommendations, either for a way to extend the range of the T42's own card, or for a good card I can buy to get more of a signal.
Thanks

sktn77a · #2 Post by **sktn77a** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 11:05 am

My experience has been that the antenna in the T4x series gives pretty good range. Are we talking a big difference here? If so, one of the antenna cables may have come off.

Amans · #3 Post by **Amans** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 11:25 am

sktn77a wrote:My experience has been that the antenna in the T4x series gives pretty good range. Are we talking a big difference here? If so, one of the antenna cables may have come off.

Hi.
It's quite a big difference, but not huge. I haven't measured it to check. Note that I received no external antenna with the unit, and that, if the antenna is in the screen, the screen is usually down and in a bag. Does this make a difference? That is, must the screen be open for the antenna to work? I can always test this when I'm next near a wireless access point. Is there a way to check the antenna cables?
Thanks.
Aman

JHEM · #4 Post by **JHEM** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 11:29 am

How, exactly, are you using the WiFi connection with the laptop in a bag???

No, the display needn't be open for the antennae to work, but you'll certainly get better reception with it open.

There's no external antenna connection on the laptop so there's no need to ship and external antenna with it.

Regards,

James

sugo · #5 Post by **sugo** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 12:00 pm

Which model of t42 is it? Does it have an intel or atheros card?

#6 Post by **RonS** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 12:08 pm

You could always get a PCMCIA WiFi card with an optional external extended-range antenna.

Amans · #7 Post by **Amans** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 12:18 pm

JHEM wrote:How, exactly, are you using the WiFi connection with the laptop in a bag???

I have the unit in a bag, and use the unit with an external keyboard and wireless audio (I'm blind and don't use the screen).

JHEM wrote:No, the display needn't be open for the antennae to work, but you'll certainly get better reception with it open.

Thanks, that's what I meant by asking whether the screen had to be open (though I didn't put it very well). I'll have to try it with the screen up to see what happens.

JHEM wrote:There's no external antenna connection on the laptop so there's no need to ship and external antenna with it.

That's good to know. Another user mentioned that the antenna cables might have come off. He was obviously refering to internal connections. Has anyone tried any card with an external antenna and found it particularly good?
Thanks for the reply.
Aman

Amans · #8 Post by **Amans** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 12:20 pm

sugo wrote:Which model of t42 is it? Does it have an intel or atheros card?

It's a 2378FZU. The card identifies itself as intel in device manager. If there's another check that needs to be done to verify whether it's an Intel or atheros card (if Intel is branding atheros' cards as their own), I haven't done it, as I don't know about it.
Aman

Amans · #9 Post by **Amans** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 12:22 pm

RonS wrote:You could always get a PCMCIA WiFi card with an optional external extended-range antenna.

Has anyone worked with any specific card they'd recommend for this particular system?
Aman

#10 Post by **carbon_unit** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 1:06 pm

Nevermind

Plinkerton · #11 Post by **Plinkerton** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 1:32 pm

I notice a strong difference in my wifi connection with my lid down, as opposed to my lid up.

As far as PCMCIA cards, I've heard great things about Orinoco, and many of them have holes for external antennas on them. If that helps any...

-Plink-

Extending wireless range

Extending wireless range

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