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Mac Fallout Shelter
Extending Your Range and Reducing WiFi Interference
- 2006.02.28 - Tip Jar
This week we'll try to solve your wireless problems. Everyone has them, especially when you're on the go and need to find access points.
I'm going to show you different options that you can use to extend the range of your wireless 802.11a/b/g connections.
Wireless Network Adapters
Which method you choose depends on your wireless network adapter. If you don't have a wireless card, I highly recommend the MacWireless cards for both desktops and 'Books. I really like their 'Book cards because they go in your PCMCIA port and have a external antenna port. They are also compatible with Apple's AirPort drivers.
Wireless Antennas
If you have a built in AirPort card, you can increase your wireless range by adding an external antenna. Every Mac model is different, but here's one example: 12" PowerBook External Antenna Hack.
Notice! This will void your warranty and is for experienced persons only.
You can also upgrade your access point's antennas using your own antenna or purchasing upgrade kits like this one from Linksys.
Range Extenders
Range extenders relay wireless signals in the area, making them stronger. These are pretty new and promise to be the easiest way to boost your signal without modifying your hardware. Range extenders only work with 802.11g and later networking; they are not compatible with 802.11b hardware, such as Apple's original AirPort system. Linksys's WRE54G is an example of a range extender.
Another option, which is more advanced, is to set up a Wireless Distribution System (WDS) using a wireless router that supports WDS to extend an existing wireless network.
Interference
To finalize, make sure you don't have microwave ovens nearby that are going to be used a lot. Some newer ovens are cleaner and don't pollute the airwaves affecting your wireless communications.
The other devices that really mess with WiFi are the old 2.4 GHz cordless phones. These will constantly hurt your signal strength, and I recommend either getting an older 900 MHz or a newer 5 GHz cordless phone to solve this problem.
The last things I can think of that affect your range are concrete and high voltage power lines.
Enjoy your stronger wireless access.
If you find Joe's articles helpful, please consider making a donation to his tip jar.
Recent Mac Fallout Shelter articles
- My Newton: Why I won't buy an iPhone or iPod touch, 09.07. The iPod touch and iPhone sound wonderful, but I love the handwriting recognition, fax support, and email abilities of my Newton MessagePad.
- Network administration tools for Mac OS X users, 06.25. Thanks to Mac OS X, today's Macs are great network citizens and excellent tools for doing network administration.
- Apple's secret battery reset utility for WallSteet and Clamshell iBooks, 07.05. If your old 'Books battery isn't taking a charge like it used to, Battery Reset 2.0 could help recover its useful life.
- Replacing Lombard with a TiBook: Which one is enough?, 04.19. Nice as the Lombard was, it has a new owner. The new 'Book should have FireWire, G4 power, and run Tiger nicely. How much TiBook is enough?
- More in the Mac Fallout Shelter index.
Links for the Day
- Mac of the Day: 15" MacBook Pro Core Duo, Jan. 2006 - The first Intel-based MacBook launched at 1.83-2.0 GHz, had several teething problems.
- Group of the Day: System 6 is the email list for those who choose System 6.
- November 21 in LEM history: 00: OS upgrades, downgrades - AltiVec vs. Pentium III - 01: Saved by the clones - Computer of the future - 02: Apple Education: Let's get to it - 03: Panther lets Macs and PCs work together, - Lombard SCSI bug - 05: 3 survivors from the 1970s - Real world battery life inadequate - Windows to Mac file transfer with Zip disks - $99 alternative to Microsoft Office - 06: Parallels 1.0 far more polished than beta
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Recent Content on Low End Mac
- Apple's Tablet an End Run Beyond Netbooks, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 11.20. Whatever Apple has planned will leverage existing technologies while going beyond what its competitors can offer.
- i5 iMac Benchmarked, Mac mini 'Shouldn't Be Overlooked', Twitter Client for Classic Mac OS, and More, Mac News Review, 11.20. Also why Apple leaves the low end to others, 10.6.2 fixes video playback problem in 27" iMac, 3D Leopard and Snow Leopard performance, and more.
- NASA Chemical Sensor for iPhone, Smartphone Death Match, iPhone Earrings, and More, Ian R Campbell, 11.20. Also mobile phone dangers, new apps, GPS solution for iPod touch, new iPod and iPhone cases, and more.
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- Replacing the Hard Drive in a Clamshell iBook, John Hatchett, Recycled Computing, 11.19. Yes, it is one of the most difficult Apple notebooks to disassemble and reassemble, but a 10 GB hard drive just will not do.
- IBM Model F: A Great Old Keyboard with an Outdated Layout, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 11.19. Although it used a different technology than the revered IBM Model M keyboard, the Model F was a great keyboard in its own right.
- Soft Touch Keyboards, Wireless Mouse Options, Loving SeaMonkey 2, and More, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.18. Also the future of browsing with PowerPC Macs and the multiple mouse input bug introduced with OS X 10.5.8.
- More links in our archive.
Recent Deals
- Best eMac Deals, 11.18. Used 1 GHz Combo, $100; SuperDrive, $269; 1.25 GHz Combo, $119; SD, $319; 1.42 GHz Combo, $289; SD, $498.
- Best Mac OS X 10.6 and Mac Box Set Deals, 11.18. "Snow Leopard", single user, $25; 5 users, $45; Mac Box Set, single user, $139; 5 users, $180; Server, $414. Shipping included.
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- Best iBook G4 Deals, 11.16. Used 12" 1.07 GHz Combo, $210; 1.33 GHz, $298; 14" 1.33 GHz, $398; 1.42 GHz, $479; SuperDrive, $498.
- Best iPod shuffle Deals, 11.16. Used 1 GB, $35; 4 GB, $65; refurb 1 GB, $39; 2 GB, $59; new 2 GB, $55, 4 GB, $75. New and refurb prices include shipping.
- More deals in our archive.
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