Best wifi booster?

[One Awesome Inch]

Which wifi booster would work well for an urban vandweller?

Are you happy with the one that you have?

This one seems to get okay reviews...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005K...ref=plSrch&dpPl=1&dpID=51XhKl3uxDL&ref=plSrch

Thoughts?

 

[highdesertranger]

I am surprised no one has replied. isn't there a thread on this very subject? sorry I can't help I don't have one yet. highdesertranger

 

[One Awesome Inch]

Me too.

 

[highdesertranger]

I just did a wifi booster search and got seven threads. I guess no one wants to talk about it at the moment. to bad because I also need all the info on this that I can absorb in my little pea brain. highdesertranger

 

[compassrose]

This works for me.... when the damned signal has something on the other end. Cable One internet sucks. I also have a netzero mifi and am looking for a cheaper one.

 

[Matlock]

Who's WiFi signal are you boosting?
Are you accessing a public WiFi and boosting it to your computer?

 

[GotSmart]

Bob has something that works. He is able to I am sure he will chime in soon.  He is able to access this site from his van... Quite often.   

 

[One Awesome Inch]

Im just looking to boost signals from coffee shops etc so i dont have to be parked right in front of their business.

 

[Matlock]

Im just looking to boost signals from coffee shops etc so i  dont have to be parked right in front of their business.

Gotcha, that I understand.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I haven't bought mine, yet.  I was planning to get something from WeBoost (formerly Wilson Electronics).  This company specializes in this kind of thing and has an excellent reputation.  I just assume they know what they are doing.

Regards
John

 

[akrvbob]

Maybe I misunderstood, I thought we are talking about WIFI not cell signal.

I have a cell signal booster but I almost never use WIFI so I know nothing about it. However, I do know somebody who has one form C Crane and raved about it. I don't know which oneL
http://www.ccrane.com/Antennas/WiFi...AwtIfoMjWsOeWmY-ekfxhRmWQ_tjJkiu0YaAvCw8P8HAQ

If it were me, they have such a great reputation I would call them and do whatever they suggested. You are generally better off to listen to an expert than speculation on the net.

Then I'd report back on the results here!!
Bob

 

[B and C]

I haven't bought mine, yet.  I was planning to get something from WeBoost (formerly Wilson Electronics).  This company specializes in this kind of thing and has an excellent reputation.  I just assume they know what they are doing.

Regards
John

I think WeBoost is only for cell services, not wifi (as in coffee shop's, McD's)

 

[minimotos95]

The way I read is you really aren't looking to "boost" the wifi signal but just get better reception of it with a laptop/desktop?
While I haven't had good luck with wifi though USB on a laptop it's your best bet for better connectivity unless you have an expresscard or other expansion slot.
On a desktop there's more than a few wifi cards with external antenna.
On phones andstablets I think the only option is an outdoor WIFI repeater?


I'm in the same boat, my desktop gets acceptable reception while my laptop gets very poor and my phone doesn't get any at my RV park.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I think WeBoost is only for cell services, not wifi (as in coffee shop's, McD's)

Yeah, I was confusing WeBoost and the 4G Store, which sells WeBoost for cellular and Cradlepoint and Pepwave for wifi.  I plan to buy both setups from them.  I hear their tech support is great.

Regards
John

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

The way I read is you really aren't looking to "boost" the wifi signal but just get better reception of it with a laptop/desktop?

I had understood that he wanted to snag free wifi in his vehicle while sitting out in the parking lot.  For that, I believe he will need an external antenna on the vehicle, and possibly an amplifier, depending on the distance.

Regards
John

 

[Canine]

Search Amazon for wifi boosters, then read the reviews.  That's how I got the one I have in my "wish list".  A directional one seems to be better.  I have this one to buy later:

Alfa AWUS036H High power 1000mW 1W 802.11b/g High Gain USB Wireless Long-Rang WiFi network Adapter with 5dBi Rubber Antenna and a 7dBi Panel Antenna and Suction cup / Clip Window Mount - for Wardriving & Range Extension
by Alfa
2,354 customer reviews | 40 answered questions
Price: $32.99 & FREE Shipping on orders over $35. Details


I figured nearly 2400 reviews was enough verification...

Hope this helps you...

 

[Bdog1]

Pringles can and a USB wifi on a 6' cable.

Google it.

 

[cdiggy]

Pringles can and a USB wifi on a 6' cable.

Google it.

Yes! These work well. Pringles can or other size cans can work as a directional antenna. There are many kinds that can be made for next to nothing. I have used this method as well as others (colander with a usb nub mounted in the middle of it with a usb extension) YouTube will have many vids of people making these. Also a program you can use with it to find out which way the signal is coming from although the name escapes me T this moment.

 

[oldogre]

new age nomad had mentioned an alfa 2000mw he got from amazon but I don't know how stealth it is, the link wouldnt work on the post but I guess you can look it up on amazon. sorry not good at posting links and stuff.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

i tried a cantenna, even went with the pipe built one upgrade rather than pringles can. It didnt work very well, the beam is so focused its hard to get a signal without knowing exact location of router and having total unobstructed los. i have had the most success with the little dish style, they are directional but have a wider focused beam. the alfa adapter is as good as any. i have a knockoff too that works as good, it has 2 antennas but one does nothing lol alpha sells the little dish antenna for like 10, and a big antenna with magnet mount for about the same. swapped the big antenna (works worse than stock) with dish. Still, dont expect miracles...mile long claims are more to do with the source being powerful and perfect line of sight. Ex: i cant get solid connect on mcds across street and few hundred feet down but i get 5 bars from days hotel (huge tower rig on hill) from mile away (too bad its locked).