"jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk" <jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk> hath wroth:
>got a belkin wireless G+ NIMO router, and Belkin Wireless G+ NIMO USB
>adaptor
I'm too lazy to lookup the exact model numbers.
>But windows xp effectively says signal is weak. When the desktop is
>far away it shows only one thing lit up. But it has to be far away.
>I have one desktop near the router and another further away.
How weak? How far? Through what obstacles?
Numbers are more interesting than generalizations.
>I've heard that with MIMO there isn't much I can do . ??!!
That's correct. The multiple antennas cannot easily be extended
unless you want to extend all 3 antennas. Flat plate reflectors
*MIGHT* work, but a single parabolic and corner reflectors will
probably not work. I haven't tried it, but you're welcome to
experiment.
Your best bet is to position the router or the USB adapter for the
best possible line of sight location. Otherwise, some other form of
networking (ethernet, power line, CATV, phone line, etc) might be a
suitable alternative.
Actually, your best bet is to return the MIMO router and purchase a
more conventional 802.11g router that allows the easy addition of
external antennas. I don't recommend amplifiers. However, if your
line of sight is severely obstructed, or your area is infested with
severe interference, then no amount of antenna work is going to help.
>And, i've been told that i can't use any kind of booster or amplifier?
>it won't work?
Correct. Same problem. You would need 3 phase matched, identical
amplifiers, for this to work.
>I'm going to try repositioning the router antenna so that the side of
>it faces the router. Rather than the tip.
Monitor the signal strength on the wireless client (USB) end. Move
things around slowly. Look for maximum signal to noise ratio.
>I tried changing Channels. 4,6,11. That didn't help.
Try 1, 6, or 11. That's to avoid interference. For squeezing that
last bit of range out of the system, use Ch 6, which tends to have
very slightly higher gain in the antennas, and less loss in the RF
filters. I don't think you'll see a difference, but it doesn't hurt
to try.
>And i'll try changing "Air Connection rate"/speed? (apparently lower
>speed can give more range?!
Correct. The router will try to always display the highest speed
possible. That's not what you're currently looking for. I suggest
you temporarily lock the speed at 6Mbits/sec, which is the slowest
OFDM (802.11g) speed available. That will give you the range benifit
of the slower speed without losing the ability to better survive
reflections using MIMO. Also turn off all the speed enhancement
features.
>this is all quite alien to me.. I lack an amateur radio background.
>Are there any books and websites on it?
Well, yes. It's an awful lot of reading to do in a short time to fix
one router. I'm not sure what reading you're looking for. Try these
for a start:
FAQ:
<http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Intel Wireless Hotspot Deployment Guide:
<http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/crud/Intel%20HotSpot%20Guide.pdf>
Lots in there on how Wi-Fi works at the user level. Unfortunately,
nothing on MIMO.
--
Jeff Liebermann
jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
150 Felker St #D
http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060
http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
effects and remedies for low signal? 
Linear Mode
