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wifi booster antenna

PostPosted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 10:07 am
by mnladyus
I'm interested in more info on the "wifi boosters". Some of the camps offer free wifi, but it's usually to far to reach. I usually just use my phone, but it would be nice to pick up wifi on my laptop or kindle fire.

Re: wifi booster antenna

PostPosted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 9:19 am
by Nasoosie
I use one called G Sky that I bought at Radio Shack. It really boosts the signal from my house wifi here at home from no service, or one band sometimes to a full 4 bands or three bands. I love it. Was not expensive, and I think it came with the CD to install it. Attaches to a USB port. It's also been great in campgrounds. Good luck!

Re: wifi booster antenna

PostPosted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 9:44 am
by mitch5252
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Soos, when you mentioned yours a little while ago, I went looking.
Couldn't find it! :(
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Re: wifi booster antenna

PostPosted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 9:45 am
by Princess
I am interested to find out other's experience with wifi boosters as well. I am going to be getting one for sure. I was thinking about "Alfa". I will let you all know how it works out after I have tried it out.

Re: wifi booster antenna

PostPosted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 12:35 pm
by Bethers
I have alfa. You have to install it on the device with a CD. Therefore I can't use it to boost my phone or other devices, just the signal to my computer. I'm not happy about that.

Re: wifi booster antenna

PostPosted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 5:25 pm
by Nasoosie
http://www.meritline.com/g-sky-80211g-w ... pping+feed

Here's what I have, although the Alpha brands look very similar and perhaps even better as they may be newer? Hope this link works.

Re: wifi booster antenna

PostPosted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 5:42 pm
by Bethers
Nasoosie wrote:http://www.meritline.com/g-sky-80211g-wireless-usb-high-power-adapter-with-5dbi-antenna---p-52134.aspx?utm_source=shopzilla&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping+feed

Here's what I have, although the Alpha brands look very similar and perhaps even better as they may be newer? Hope this link works.

Looks pretty much the same as my alfa - and the alfa does work - but doesn't work unless you can program it into the device, which you can't do with the pads, etc that don't have cd ports.

I did have a friend with one that didn't require the cd, but for the life of me cannot remember the brand or find it. Might have found it - have a question out, will be back if the answer is good - because it's what I really want, too. I know it cost a bit more- but would be more than worth it to me.

(oh, and moving this to the maintenance/tech room!)

Re: wifi booster antenna

PostPosted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 6:08 pm
by Bethers
OK, I believe my friend has this: http://www.ampedwireless.com/products/sr10000.html ... I know his works wonderfully, because he boosted the signal so well at a campground that I was able to get the signal in my rig better through his booster, than through the cg signal. I'm in the process of ordering this through Amazon (which is what I should have done instead of the Alfa) as I got off chat with the Amped people and have been told this will work for wifi networks as I travel. If a password is required, yes, it's needed. And I can protect it so that it's a private network for me (or a new password for those I would give it to if necessary). And it will work for phones, Nook, Kindle, etc ... No cd required.

Here's the link on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005UB ... PDKIKX0DER

Course, it might be out there for a better price elsewhere ... but I'm done looking for the day!

Oh, and their chat person was super nice - very knowledgeable and told me if I do purchase to feel free to call or come to chat if I need any help getting started with it. Wow, real customer service!

Re: wifi booster antenna

PostPosted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 6:18 pm
by mitch5252
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Beth, what's the maximum distance this device can be from the router?
It has to be close enough to the router to pick up the signal in order to "boost" it, no?
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Re: wifi booster antenna

PostPosted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 6:51 pm
by Bethers
mitch5252 wrote:..
Beth, what's the maximum distance this device can be from the router?
It has to be close enough to the router to pick up the signal in order to "boost" it, no?
..

You have to be getting the signal - however weak it might be. When my friend was using his, and I believe this was it, we all had only 1 bar. We got super fast when he used this. In the reviews on Amazon, a man is using it to give his wifi to his mother several houses away. I'm looking at sites that get weak signals - even where I am now, so will be able to tell if it works. The Alfa I have now is giving me a signal for the computer, but I can't use it for my Nook or phone ... so am hoping to get ONE unit that will do all three.

Re: wifi booster antenna

PostPosted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 7:09 pm
by mitch5252
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So, you'll put the software setup in your computer and then use the device to grab the signal and amplify it?
Installing the software in your laptop only serves as a setup.
I can't wait to hear how it works.

Image

This is what I want to get to make the wifi signal at the house stronger to be able to reach out to the driveway.

..

Re: wifi booster antenna

PostPosted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 7:18 pm
by Bethers
I'll let you know - just placed the order. I'm hoping it's the one my friend had ... and if it works ... I'll be happy. If not, I'll be returning it. I'm pretty sure it'd work very well in your situation. Now, if you wait for me, might be a couple weeks ... I did free shipping and am in AK, so I have to be patient. But free shipping and no tax ... I'll take it.

Re: wifi booster antenna

PostPosted: Fri Jul 19, 2013 12:13 am
by Bethers
The one my friend has is a Hawking repeater - not sure which model. So not what I just bought. If what I bought doesn't work, will return it and get a Hawking, which I KNOW works lol

This is one of the models:

http://www.amazon.com/Hawking-Technolog ... g+repeater

Re: wifi booster antenna

PostPosted: Fri Jul 19, 2013 6:08 am
by sharon
mitch5252 wrote:..

This is what I want to get to make the wifi signal at the house stronger to be able to reach out to the driveway.

..


I got pretty good wifi in your driveway unless we were both on it....but it still worked, just a little slower.

I'm on Tybee Island, Ga and the signal is good but it's wonky wifi. Half the time it says connection timed out and other times it says I was refused. To many people streaming movies for the kids I guess.

Re: wifi booster antenna

PostPosted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 9:26 am
by Nasoosie
Very interesting thread, and I will be looking to see what brands seem to work best for tablets, as I will need one for mine, too, which has no USB port to plug the Gsky into. I'll use your experiences to make up my mind!