Boosting Signal

[CMrsdobbs]

I am staying in a cottage on holiday at the moment with my wife,I am using my laptop on the draining board next to the sink because the owner of the cottages has a Linksys router in his home.

His home is about 15 yards away from my cottage I tried to get a signal from the frontroom table but could not get a signal strong enough to get my laptop working,question is there a booster I can get to boost the signal that fits into my laptop and how much roughly would it cost.

Thankyou for any help given.

[ACtheTROLL]

There are a couple of cleaver things you can do with an old pringles tin http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/has.html

But using mainstream kit - without spending silly money the answer is no.

(almost) All boosters I've heard of work at the transmitter (A)end .... if the signal won't reach .... you basically add extra transmitters (waps) untill it does

the only sure boost you could give the system would fit at the A end.
Either buy an extra wap, convert the existing wap to one of the newer higher coverage devices or fit a High Gain Antenna Kit for TNC Connectors (�28-30).
and get the landlord to put it in his window ... or attic ... or .....

An external wireless adapter for your laptop MIGHT help - you would certainly have more control over it's position.
... but then again it might not.

wireless (802.11) can be tricky even in an ideal situation .... when you are "borrowing" a connection ... you just have to learn to type standing on one leg with your head in a cupboard.

[fo3nix]

As ACtheTROLL suggests, you want something like this:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp ?WebProductID=518671

[abranei]

I have a PCMCIA Card which attaches to a panel antenna like the one Fo3nix has suggested.

Phone solwise and ask them about the card and antenna that fits it. www.solwise.co.uk

The downside is that the card is 802.11b and I have yet to find a g version.

[CMrsdobbs]

Thankyou ACtheTROLL &fo3nix &abranei,I am still at the kichen sink??,can't wait to get home to use the desktop sitting in a comfy chair.Still shouldn't wish our holiday away it only comes once a year.

Thanks to the three of you for your help much appreciated.