Yet another of my weird ideas

[IrishAyes]

As some may remember, I'm currently piggybacking on a friend's terrible wi-fi signal because I'm in deep-saving mode for another round of major home renovation. Anyway, the first little Speed King (ha!) wi-fi signal booster I bought only works in an open window. I wasn't too familiar with signal boosters and bought the wrong one first time. Now I've ordered what should be a dandy from my new favorite online electronics store, WorldStart.com in which I promise I have NO stock whatsoever. But a friend recommended it to me and I appreciated it very much, so I'm passing the word along.

Anyway, back to my idea: The new signal booster on the way is indoor/outdoor but I don't want to drill any avoidable holes in my house, so I'll still put it in the window. When I went out to the shed this morning, I saw the big metal parrot cage on its tall metal stand, and I thought Bingo! I'll try that. At the very least it will look odd enough to serve as a conversation starter in the living room! I'd probably make some dumb reply about wondering why that critter never learned to talk.

Main question is, do any of the group techies here think being surrounded by all that metal might actually give the device a little extra boost whether it's really needed or not?

[Downwinder]

1. Might do the opposite.

Remember, there is a screen in your microwave door to stop microwaves from escaping. A chain link fence can affect the wireless signal.

[JBoy]

2. Agree. Almost certain to be counterproductive.

While not quite a Faraday Cage (purposely designed to shield something from external electric fields), it's certainly not going to help.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage

[BlueJazz]

3. I Agree...although giving it a cracker or two might help.

[IrishAyes]

4. Ewwww...

Maybe that's been part of the problem. I have a 1920's style scallop-top metal fence all around my place, and he has a modern chain link fence - a very nice one, but still, from what you say - I hope I stand a ghost of a chance for better reception. But I darn sure won't hang the booster in a parrot cage, no matter how pretty!

[Downwinder]

5. Can you see over the fences from the window?

Not sure on your set up.

How to Make a Wi Fi Booster Using Only a Beer Can
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Wi-Fi-Booster-Using-Only-a-Beer-Can

[IrishAyes]

6. I looked into those homemade booster designs

and didn't go with the beer can because a) I boycott Coors for political reasons, and this tiny town doesn't carry the only other kind I like, either German dark beer or Corona. And b) I'd probably cut myself and bleed to death anyway.

But the present unsatisfactory Speed (ha!) King has 2 antennas and I put copper pot scrubbers on each, which seemed to help a little.

Yes, I can see over both fences because they're only 4' tall, and I'm not quite that short. But even when I placed the SP higher than that, it didn't seem to make much difference.

Thanks, btw, for all the help.

[ChromeFoundry]

7. I am not clear on what you are using to boost your signal

if you are using some sort of passive antenna, such as a yagi, or an actual wifi repeater. I am assuming that since you mentioned that it is indoor/outdoor and needed to be near a window that you went with a passive antenna. I think the best solution if you are getting a low signal is to use a device that provides a new SSID for you to connect. The device provides the bridge back to the original access point.

Laptop <-> Extender-SSID <-> Neighbor-SSID <-> Internet

There are a lot of devices that extend the wifi connectivity area. See the following link for an example:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833315112

[IrishAyes]

8. Thanks, I'll look into that.

It's the new device already ordered, though, that's indoor/outdoor and about 3 times stronger than the present unsatisfactory Speed (ha!) King that I'm using now. Obviously that works somewhat because I'm online - but the window has to be open, which won't be good for winter, and it just barely works at best. If the wi-fi signal booster that's on order proves insufficient as well, I might be forced to get one of those you're suggesting.

But can you tell me, does a bridge device leave me more open to hackers than what I've got now? I trust my friend absolutely, but he keeps an open signal meaning people we don't know could snoop. Since my favorite browser's still Chrome, I got one of their free VPN apps.

Regardless, any device wears out eventually, so I like to archive info for later retrieval when and if needed.

[ChromeFoundry]

9. On security...

and Open WiFi network will always leave you somewhat open to having your packets sniffed. If you are using a VPN that encrypts your traffic, then all of your browser traffic is encrypted and not able to be monitored.

A WiFi extender will not add any additional security vulnerabilities to your current connection. Since the extender creates a new SSID, you have the opportunity to add a password to the extender's SSID, making your network more secure than your neighbor's open network. I am assuming that your neighbor knows that you are using their ISP connection, If you have fear of being spied upon, you may want to talk with him about adding a key to his configuration and sharing the key with you.

[IrishAyes]

10. Thanks for the info.

I would suggest my friend should encrypt, but this is a poverty pocket area overall, and he feels that those of us who are more comfortable should be sharing all we can. However, next time I upgrade equipment I'll get an extender. I'll tell you the truth, most people around here are lucky if they know how to turn on a computer so it's very unlikely anyone would be an effective hacker anyway.

And yes, I did ask permission. He's the pastor at a church less than a block away as the crow flies.

[Gore1FL]

11. Start with easy with antenna improvements

One of these should help.

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Wi-Fi-Booster-Using-Only-a-Beer-Can

http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-WIFI-Antenna-Reception-Booster/

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cheap-and-easy-WIFI-antenna-signal-booster-that-is/

It would help even more if the source had one aiming at yours.

I did something like this a few years ago:
http://www.dxzone.com/dx26950/cookie-cantenna-wi-fi.html

(I used a broth can instead of a cookie can. In retrospect the cookie can would have been much better because of the smooth surface.)