stealing wireless from weak signal

Hi

I am looking for some advice.

I just moved into a property and basically cannot afford to get a phone
line+ADSL for internet access. However, I have noticed a few wireless
networks in the area which I get a 'Very Low' signal (according to windows
xp). I can certainly connect to 1 of the unsecure ones and use internet for
about 10 minutes before it cuts out and loses signal.

Ideally, what I'd like to do, is get permission off the owner of that router
and ask if I can connect and pay him a bit of cash each month. I don't want
to steal it because i don't want the risk of being cut off.

However, how can I improve the signal?

I have looked at wireless range extenders but dont know if these will do the
job?

Anybody any experience with this?

thanks

"Darren" <noemails@nobody.com> hath wroth:

>I am looking for some advice.

Start with the 10 commandments and install all the updates. Righteous
behavior pays in the long run.

>I just moved into a property and basically cannot afford to get a phone
>line+ADSL for internet access.

OK, you're in the UK. I guess prices are higher. Last time I
checked, you can get DSL for the price of a lavish dinner per month.
Starve a little.

>However, I have noticed a few wireless
>networks in the area which I get a 'Very Low' signal (according to windows
>xp). I can certainly connect to 1 of the unsecure ones and use internet for
>about 10 minutes before it cuts out and loses signal.

Yeah, that's about what will happen with a weak signal. You can get a
connection and probably exchange a few packets. However, if there's
any interference or changes in the intermediate path (reflections,
multipath, Fresnel zone, foliage attenuation, etc), the signal goes
away.

>Ideally, what I'd like to do, is get permission off the owner of that router
>and ask if I can connect and pay him a bit of cash each month. I don't want
>to steal it because i don't want the risk of being cut off.

Some of the local kids have banged on my door asking for a wireless
connection. However, I later find that they already have DSL at home.
What they want is a way to get to the internet without the partental
control filters running. Anyway, just ask and see what happens.

>However, how can I improve the signal?

Bigger antenna. Many wireless cards have external antenna connectors.
If that's not possible, a 2nd wireless device, mounted near the
antenna, will also work. Need to know what you have to work with to
determine the best solution. Do you have line of sight? What manner
of client radio do you currently own?

>I have looked at wireless range extenders but dont know if these will do the
>job?

The problem with range extenders, store and forward repeaters, and
such is that they generate twice the traffic over the air. Your
thruput will suffer. You also need to find a location to put it where
you have a good line of sight to BOTH the router owner and your
wireless device. Try a better antenna first.

>Anybody any experience with this?

--
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