Woktenna for your integrated wifi - increase range 6x?

[AHuan]

I've got intel pro wireless 3945, no money for anything better, and the range I'm getting from this "ultraconnect" antenna is junk. It can't get through a tiny townhouse.

I've been reading about how to improve the reception, and I found out about Wokfi ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WokFi ).

I was thinking, if placing a wok (or dumpling strainer) at the right position relative to the desired network and the USB dongle's internal antenna works, why wouldn't it work for my laptop's internal antenna?

It should work fine, right, if it works on a usb dongle?

I tried it with a piece of aluminum foil in the approximate shape of a wok with netstumbler running, and it definitely changes things, but not for the better.

I know exactly where the antenna is. Maybe aluminum foil is too thin? I guess I could try making a huge dish, in an actual parabola shape.

The wavelength we are talking about is about 12 cm, so you can't really get a spot any smaller than that, due to diffraction limitations, IIRC. So positioning is not too critical, though I did experiment.

Another thing I was assuming is that the dish doesn't need to be very smooth, since the irregularities are very small compared to the wavelength. Am I right here?

I don't really want to get into passive repeaters or anything even fancier, but let's have a thread about increasing the range of your integrated wireless.

[SHoTTa35]

i know you said you don't have much money but you know you can trade the Intel for an Atheros model which will give you more performance?

Either that or sell yours and buy the atheros and you'll probably come out close to even.

With that said tho.. i understand you wanna use those antenna's but don't they limit your mobility? I guess if you are just using the system on your desk then it doesn't matter.

on a sidenote - my T60 came with a 3945 and i found it sufficient for all my needs. How big is the "tiny" townhouse and how far away is the router? Basement to 3rd floor or what?