NOTTNICK <google@bellows.org.uk> wrote:
> I need to boost a wireless signal as the belkin modem/router won't
> reach the top of my house.

The signal coming from your stock antenna is shaped like a donut slipped
onto the antenna. You want it broadside to the target, not pointing
end-on, like might be typical if the downstairs antenna were pointing
straight up.

You might try a simple reflector. http://www.freeantennas.com EZ-12,
printed on photo paper for thick stock, with aluminum foil glued to the
sail, provides a substantial boost in signal.
http://www.rahul.net/dold/clarence/EZ12-windsurfer.jpg
http://www.rahul.net/dold/clarence/w...fer-dining.JPG The signal with
the reflector is not only 13dB stronger, it's more stable.

With 54g connections, I find that watching the "current bandwidth" in the
Windows perfmon.msc is a pretty good signal indicator.
start-run-perfmon.msc
+ Performance Object = Network
Numbers agree with dslreports.
+ Performance Object = TCP
"current bandwidth"

If you run Remote Desktop or VNC, you can monitor the remote signal
strength from a PC near the router while repositioning the antenna at the
router. Monitoring the remote screen moves enough data that the
performance monitor will show reasonable data.

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Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5