Is it possible to use a Wireless Range Expander device to strengthen the signal of a free wireless network?
I use a laptop to connect to the internet, and am able to pick up signals from relatively weak (free) wireless networks. If I were to use a wireless range expander, would this strengthen the the signal of these networks?
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Wireless Network Booster Posts
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1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_piggybacking
Just so you aren’t too surprised when you’re sued or arrested. (“Free” public wifi is normally reserved for the use of customers.)
2) The expander has to be getting a good signal from the wireless router, and your computer has to be getting a good signal from the expander. If you put the expander where your computer is, and the signal is noisy there, your computer will just be getting a stronger noisy signal. (What you’re thinking of is a signal regenerator, and now is a bad time to mortgage your house.) You normally put a range expander about half-way between the original router and the computer – if that distance isn’t more than a few hundred feet total. (A range expander is nothing more than part of a router – it doesn’t make the signal cleaner, just stronger.)
No. A Wireless Expander/Extender works as a relaying device. So, it needs to be placed in a place where the original signal is strong enough.