Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Signal Sucks? Seven Ways To Boost Wi-Fi Signal That Actually Work
https://www.iflscience.com ^ | 31 December 2021 | Rachel Funnell

Posted on 01/03/2022 11:03:56 AM PST by Red Badger

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-72 next last
To: fuzzylogic

All microwaves are “wifi safe”, at least when new and in good condition..

An old worn out microwave with a door that’s warped or otherwise doesn’t close tightly will leak signal...

...and should probably be replaced.


41 posted on 01/03/2022 12:27:12 PM PST by brianl703
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Billthedrill

“Before I gave them the heave-ho I was getting 20Kbps on an average day. “

Verizon DSL. Horrible. Now I have Suddenlink(SometimesLink) 250M download. When I had Comcast Xfinity, it was 750M.


42 posted on 01/03/2022 12:27:18 PM PST by AppyPappy (Biden told Al Roker "America is back". Unfortunately, he meant back to the 1970's)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget

I get no interference from my microwave oven on 2.4GHz.

I did try putting some water in the microwave and running it while my laptop was pinging the default gateway via a 2.4GHz wifi connection.

No packet loss at all.

Then I started pulling on the door at the top edge away from the hinge.

I was able to make it start dropping packets by pulling on the door with just a little force. Not enough to make it pop open, but just enough to distort it slightly so it compromises the shielding and allows 2.4GHz RF leakage from the microwave.

The harder I pulled, the more packet loss I saw.

As soon as I let go, the packet loss stopped.

Conclusion: A properly functioning microwave oven causes no interference to 2.4GHz wifi.

However, even the slightest warpage of a microwave oven door is enough to compromise the shield.

Therefore, if your microwave oven is causing 2.4GHz wifi interference, there is a good chance that something is wrong with it. Replace or repair as needed to remedy the problem.


43 posted on 01/03/2022 12:36:00 PM PST by brianl703
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: GingisK

Many thanks!


44 posted on 01/03/2022 12:41:42 PM PST by gloryblaze
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: gloryblaze

Happy to pitch in.


45 posted on 01/03/2022 12:45:56 PM PST by GingisK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Never had a problem with the signal. I did have to replace the old router because the cat kept going down to the basement and chewing up the three antennas, got one that is enclosed in plastic with no external antennas.


46 posted on 01/03/2022 1:02:07 PM PST by Roadrunner383 (;)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

The best one out there is Amplifi Alien.
You need more range, just buy another one.
Just don’t get the kit (which includes two) as you never add another.
Takes 5 min to get up and running.


47 posted on 01/03/2022 1:07:52 PM PST by Zathras
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zathras

Correction: If you use the kit, you are stuck with just the two and you can’t add a third.
For myself I use Ubiquiti with 14 wired connections in my home but Amplifi Alien is plenty good for those who don’t want to spend the $ to get home wired for CAT6


48 posted on 01/03/2022 1:13:15 PM PST by Zathras
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Around the sheep household, to up our exposure the highest damaging EMF frequencies and exposure levels possible, we leave the door open on the microwave when making instant oatmeal. It’s what’s for breakfast =o)


49 posted on 01/03/2022 1:16:25 PM PST by SheepWhisperer (My enemy saw me on my knees, head bowed and thought they had won until I rose up and said Amen!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

“SETTLE FOR SD”

Done reading there.

I’ve been struggling to get my Linksys Velop network working reliably, so eyeballed this to see what I might have missed. Where a home network should be approaching/exceeding 50Mbps, “hey, just settle for SD data rates” doesn’t exist in a palatable paradigm.


50 posted on 01/03/2022 1:16:42 PM PST by ctdonath2 (Statistics don't matter when they happen to you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GingisK; gloryblaze

“Because computers do not typically contain cellular radios. They are available. There are also data limits applied to cellular connections.”

We may be talking completely different things here, but I have T Mobile Home Internet. My wifi router is basically a cell phone (with its own phone number). I have no data limit and it’s $60 a month. Compared to ATT DSL, which is my only alternative, it’s great.


51 posted on 01/03/2022 1:32:13 PM PST by suthener ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Wifi bump.


52 posted on 01/03/2022 1:44:31 PM PST by TChad ("Joe, we should evacuate the civilians before the military. You understand that, right? Joe?")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: suthener

My router is in the basement and the wifi is turned off on it. I have two access points in the house that connect to my switch via ethernet. Works great if you can run the ethernet. I had ethernet strung all over when the house was built.


53 posted on 01/03/2022 1:50:41 PM PST by IndispensableDestiny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: suthener

I’ve to seen that! We use T-Mobile for our phones, so I’ll give that service a hard look. Thank you for the tip.


54 posted on 01/03/2022 2:00:27 PM PST by GingisK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: GingisK
I’ve to seen that!

Too many thumbs on each hand, GingisK. How about "I haven't seen that"?

55 posted on 01/03/2022 2:01:59 PM PST by GingisK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: brianl703

Is your microwave 1/2 way between your laptop and router and signal to the router isn’t great to start with? Test like that. I will guarantee interference. Dont be pulling on the door... :-)

A Federal standard limits the amount of microwaves that can leak from an oven throughout its lifetime to 5 milliwatts (mW) of microwave radiation per square centimeter at approximately 2 inches from the oven surface.

Given power drops off at something like a power of 10 at distance, and that routers are limited to 80mw in the 2.4ghz range, and that for both the router and microwave 2 vs 20 inches would be approximately 1/100th of the value measured at 2 inches and that microwaves have a very large radiating surface... QED.


56 posted on 01/03/2022 2:10:44 PM PST by LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

We use att for internet and have to use their router. Is there away to improve that?


57 posted on 01/03/2022 2:14:44 PM PST by DainBramage
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GingisK

“I’ve to seen that! We use T-Mobile for our phones, so I’ll give that service a hard look. Thank you for the tip.”

No problem. I got referred to it by someone on FR, too.


58 posted on 01/03/2022 2:22:51 PM PST by suthener ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: IndispensableDestiny

“My router is in the basement and the wifi is turned off on it. I have two access points in the house that connect to my switch via ethernet. Works great if you can run the ethernet. I had ethernet strung all over when the house was built.”

I’m a firm believer in ethernet over wifi when possible.


59 posted on 01/03/2022 2:27:33 PM PST by suthener ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: DainBramage

Depends... some ISP’s put in good stuff and some dont.

What do you have?


60 posted on 01/03/2022 2:30:08 PM PST by LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-72 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson