Networking & wireless forum: Router distance, low signal

As Michael has suggested, you may be at the range limit for this particular pair of devices. How could that be, you might ask, if this is only 20-30 meters and the nominal standard range is around 100 meters. The nominal standard is based on clear line-of-sight. If the radio signal must penetrate anything denser than open air, the range is diminished. We joke about consumer WiFi being a "3-wall solution," meaning it will only penetrate a total of 3 normal walls (a ceiling is the same as a wall) going straight through the shortest thickness of the wall before disappearing. If a wall is thicker or denser (e.g., brick) than a normal 2x4 stud partition wall, or if the signal must penetrate at an angle which increases the effective thickness of the wall, the signal is diminished that much more. You said there are 2 rooms in the way. It may the walls that are causing more trouble than you might have first thought. Try moving the router and the adapter antenna to see if you can improve things.

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I had a similar problem but have now solved it. I am using a D-Link DWL1000AP WAP and my wife's PC which is around 30m, two walls and a ceiling away, had a DWL120 USB adaptor. The adaptor put too much of a drain on the cpu, so I tried three different branded pci adaptors. Each failed either failing to establish a connection, or dropping it very fast. Finally, on D-Link's advise, I put in a DWL-510 PCI adaptor with a high gain screw-on antenna (DWL-50AT) and the average signal and connection strengths are 80-90%. Drop-out is *very* rare and when it happens, simply re-set WAP and router. I bought all the wireless equipment on E-Bay. D-Link have a very good reputation and I can see why.

I was talking about a replacement antenna for de pci adapter but I know there are some that can be placed on your desk or whatever. Probably the best solution.