increase wifi range using hardware

[Guest dexstar]

Is there any hardware like an aerial or dongle that could increase the wifi range of the omnia? If not has anyone got some good ideas. I've done the sktools tweak by changing it from b to g but still could do with better range.

[Guest meabigbaldguy]

I've done the sktools tweak by changing it from b to g but still could do with better range.

This is off topic a bit, but would you please enlighten me about the wifi tweak that you've mentioned?

[Guest G1LIW]

A somewhat tongue-in-cheek answer ere, intended to have humour value as well as educational value :(

ok, your problem is to do with basic physics, radio Theory, and antenna theory. I'm a licenced UK Radio ham, for reference here, and the notes below are to hopefully cover any questions you might pop in later if I don't mention them now B) There will NOT be a Q&A session later, so you don't need to take notes.

YOU AT THE BACK, WAKE UP!

Would someone wake up Hicks?!

Ahem...

In short, boiled down, executive summary bit: sorry, but no, it's just not a starter.

Reasons:

Your phone has a small antenna, limiting the range of the unit.

Your phone has an internal antenna, covered with all manner of stuff from circuit boards to plastic and very light aluminium framings; in addition, it's likely to be wrapped up in your hand while in use as well. These factors attenuate, or reduce, the radiated and received signals, limiting still further the range of the unit.

Your phone also operates most of the time from a low-power battery with a finite charge and a design-inbuilt limitation on its' ability to deliver power to the various radios in your phone. This limits the amount of ERP (Effective Radiated power) that the WiFi radio can deliver to the antenna mentioned above, limiting even further the range of the unit.

In order to increase the range of the phone, you either need an external antenna (not possible without extensive hardware modifications to your phone), or a better base station antenna for the system you're accessing (possible, but not recommended due to radio licencing restrictions and rules).

Frankly, with all the above said and done, it's small wonder the damn things work at all :P

[Guest theidoctor.org]

or you can get some tin foil, crumble it up and make a nice looking dish, put it behind your phone, and aim it where you want the signal...

[Guest G1LIW]

well... there IS that, of course :P

fwiw, a mate increased the range of his bluetooth dongle setup at home using a metal half-sphere 6" diameter sieve, with the bt dongle fixed in place using plastic wire ties, connected to the PC using a USB cable.

Now, I'm NOT say again not, suggesting that this could work for WiFi. For one thing, the frequencies are different (wavelength is different), and I'm not at all sure you could get a phone to mount up in the same way... besides (silly mode on), using a phone tied in the maw of a metal sieve'd make you look a tad silly when parked up in McDonalds when using their free WiFi :D (silly mode off)

Never the less, if you find a way of doing it that's legal, doesn't require engineering skills, and is reliable, I'm sure we'll be all ears :( Good luck B)

[Guest dexstar]

well... there IS that, of course :P

fwiw, a mate increased the range of his bluetooth dongle setup at home using a metal half-sphere 6" diameter sieve, with the bt dongle fixed in place using plastic wire ties, connected to the PC using a USB cable.

Now, I'm NOT say again not, suggesting that this could work for WiFi. For one thing, the frequencies are different (wavelength is different), and I'm not at all sure you could get a phone to mount up in the same way... besides (silly mode on), using a phone tied in the maw of a metal sieve'd make you look a tad silly when parked up in McDonalds when using their free WiFi :D (silly mode off)

Never the less, if you find a way of doing it that's legal, doesn't require engineering skills, and is reliable, I'm sure we'll be all ears :( Good luck B)

That would look fantastic! Hopefully someone may develop a external wifi aerial for the omnia im sure many people would buy it!

[Guest trexflyer]

Recent MIT research has discovered that wearing a multi-colored hat equipped with a propeller on top, with the chin strap securely fastened will significantly improve wifi strength. +1 db if you happen to have braces on your teeth as well B)

Seriously though, it may be possible to make an external antenna using the charging port, but battery life and usability just wouldnt be there.

[Guest Mistergino]

one friend of mine did increse his GPS (i think he say gps) with addind alu-foil at the antenna...... betwenn the baterrie and the phone..... but i don know..... and he did have a htc ....

[Guest dwallersv]

G1LIW, I'm disappointed in you, being a ham (double-entendre there B) ) completely missing half the equation!

Yes, you're correct, there is little to nothing (tending strongly toward the nothing end) that can be done about the phone. However, that's only half the picture. There's this other important component called the Wireless Access Point -- the thingy with all the antennas on it, hooked up to the cable modem or DSL, and that can be addressed.

Most people these days have integrated AP/Routers. Many companies sell enhanced antennas that are simple screw-on replacements for the stock antennas. If not, and regardless, there are all sorts of things one can do with placement, DIY antenna enhancement, and on and on to improve the ERP and sensitivity of the AP's radio behavior, effectively improving the performance of Wifi in your home with your Omnia. Improving it a ton. Like 1-2 bars indicated signal strength to 5 solid bars.

Hammy G1LIW knows all about this stuff surely, and just overlooked it.

The easiest place to start is to simply move your wireless router from next to your computer or whatever convenient phone jack you put it next to to your attic, in a more or less central locale. Then play with the antenna positions. Most of the time this change alone will get 30-50% improvement in signal strength for wireless clients. Running a phone line up there is a simple, DIY that anyone can do.

[Guest bpivk]

Or you can really go crazy and modify a satelite dish and see where that takes you. B)

Edited March 15, 2009 by bpivk

[Guest dexstar]

G1LIW, I'm disappointed in you, being a ham (double-entendre there B) ) completely missing half the equation!

Yes, you're correct, there is little to nothing (tending strongly toward the nothing end) that can be done about the phone. However, that's only half the picture. There's this other important component called the Wireless Access Point -- the thingy with all the antennas on it, hooked up to the cable modem or DSL, and that can be addressed.

Most people these days have integrated AP/Routers. Many companies sell enhanced antennas that are simple screw-on replacements for the stock antennas. If not, and regardless, there are all sorts of things one can do with placement, DIY antenna enhancement, and on and on to improve the ERP and sensitivity of the AP's radio behavior, effectively improving the performance of Wifi in your home with your Omnia. Improving it a ton. Like 1-2 bars indicated signal strength to 5 solid bars.

Hammy G1LIW knows all about this stuff surely, and just overlooked it.

The easiest place to start is to simply move your wireless router from next to your computer or whatever convenient phone jack you put it next to to your attic, in a more or less central locale. Then play with the antenna positions. Most of the time this change alone will get 30-50% improvement in signal strength for wireless clients. Running a phone line up there is a simple, DIY that anyone can do.

That's some great tips. I have updated my router to a N range but still have quite poor signal strength on my omnia i might see if i can move the router around a bit. My problem is i have cable to its not as easy to run in a new socket, but it can be done!

[Guest bpivk]

That's some great tips. I have updated my router to a N range but still have quite poor signal strength on my omnia i might see if i can move the router around a bit. My problem is i have cable to its not as easy to run in a new socket, but it can be done!

Offtopic: Or do what i did and take another router and create an access point. That's what i did in each of my floors and i have a 100% coverage with Omnia.

[Guest dwallersv]

That's some great tips. I have updated my router to a N range but still have quite poor signal strength on my omnia i might see if i can move the router around a bit. My problem is i have cable to its not as easy to run in a new socket, but it can be done!

Keep in mind that metal and water are killers. This means that mirrors are major attenuators, and since bathrooms and bedrooms usually have mirrors in various places, it kills wifi transmission line of sight on the same floor. Walls frequently have plumbing in them, which isn't helpful.

This is why getting your router up high above you makes a big difference. When the "line of sight" goes through less of this stuff, you get a better signal. People are often puzzled that they get a stronger wifi signal farther away on a different floor than they get between two rooms closer together on the same floor. This is the reason why.

Finally, 2.5Ghz cordless phones, despite what wireless AP vendors tell you, do interfere with the range of 2.4Ghz wifi. Same with 5Ghz. If you're having problems and you've got your cordless phone near your laptop or omnia, put it at least 10 feet away. It will make a noticable difference in throughput.

[Guest ronzo77]

Finally, 2.5Ghz cordless phones, despite what wireless AP vendors tell you, do interfere with the range of 2.4Ghz wifi. Same with 5Ghz. If you're having problems and you've got your cordless phone near your laptop or omnia, put it at least 10 feet away. It will make a noticable difference in throughput.

and speaking of interference, wifi band itself is split into 13 channels that could interfere if you live in an apartment and your neighbor is on the same wifi channel. if you are getting weak signal try switching to a different channel.

[Guest G1LIW]

G1LIW, I'm disappointed in you, being a ham (double-entendre there :( ) completely missing half the equation!

hmm... doublé éntendré? must be the long shift I just finished, but damned if I can see it *shrugs*

Hammy G1LIW knows all about this stuff surely, and just overlooked it.

Oh... poo B) Yep, correct, trees for the woods syndrome, tunnel vision, etc. Take yer pick (or yer shovel!). you CAN work on the other end as well. HOWEVER, remember that this will only work at your main WAP, probably home or office, not when out on the move. ALSO: If you're thinking of replacing the antennae on the base unit, stop now - you may well fall in breach of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 if you do that. Keep it simple, use what you've already got, and that'll be safe enough :( Also - think ALTITUDE - the higher up the base unit is in the room, the less clutter will be in the way between it and your phone - TVs and other electrical apparatus attenuate radio signals that pass through!

Have fun :(