Beat wrote:

> hi guys
>
> i want to connect to a free wireless ap, i don't have any influence
> to this ap. unfortunatly the signal is a too weak in the apartment
> but it works on the stairs outside my front door. as soon as i enter
> the room, the signal's gone :(
>
> i have a US Robotics 805411 PC Card (MAXg) PCMCIA Wireless card in my
> laptop without any external connector for a antenna. is it possible
> to improve reception a little so it might be possible to use wireless
> in my apartment? i heard that it can be done eg with a cd spindel.
> but how do i place it since there is no connector on the card?
> or maybe special drivers to boost signal strength?
>
> thanks for your hints. (if possible with link to howto)
>
> greets
>
> beat

Aluminum foil might do the trick.

I'm a big fan of corner reflectors.

See my link http://homepages.picknowl.com.au/glo...gnet/ant1.html

If you have a corner in your apartment that roughly faces away from the
source of the wifi signal, it might be worth a try to turn it into a
giant corner reflector.

Just cover the wall each side of the corner apex with aluminum foil
over a fairly large area - down to floor level.

Then place the laptop into the corner with the PCMCIA card near the
centre line of the apex and see if you get a signal.

Slide the laptop into and away from the apex until you get the
strongest signal.

Also try to position the laptop height about mid way up the foil.

Try to keep your body out of the signal path as much as possible.

Should work to some degree.

Lets know how it goes.

Rob