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I am currently using an “amplified” USB Wi-Fi Adapter. The reason I quote “amplified” is because even though I am able to connect to my neighbor’s ap from 0.4 miles away, with a good signal, the Internet is basically unusable most of the time even though their plan is a fast 5 to 10 mbps.
The problem is I cannot get over 1Mbps most of the time. I can get two if I am lucky, but this doesn’t last long. Speed test on a bad day show upload speeds as slow as 0.01Mbps and downloads as slow as 0.08-0.15Mbps.
I have tried the following with no real luck.
- Moving my adapter and mounting it on my outside window.
- Limiting the Wi-Fi speed to 802.11b mode (11Mbps)
- Checking wireless channels for interference and cannot find any interference.
- Fixing my extended USB 3.0 rig.
I have a couple theories but I can’t be certain.
- My USB 3.0 cable: It’s is made up of three other cables that are kept together with electrical tape so I thought that it had something to do with it. However, using the cable that came with the device did not improve things.
- The negotiated link speed needs to stay at 2Mbps: I have 4 bar signal with a 54Mbps link speed. When the Wi-Fi works rather well—and I can watch YouTube without stuttering interruptions—I notice the link speed is usually at 2Mbps and when my download speeds reach 0—and when YouTube dies—the link speed is back to 54Mbps. I want to keep it at 2Mbps.
The short version is I would like to know:
- If there are any ways to fix my Wi-Fi and prevent dead download speeds
- If any of the theories presented are valid.
- If anything can be done without spending money I do not have on paying a monthly bill for dedicated Internet.
- And if any of this can be done without ripping my house from the foundation and move closer to my neighbors.
2Do you have your neighbours permission to use their wifi conection? – DavidPostill – 2015-03-10T12:35:33.577
@ryanmccurry Do you know that the throughput is actually much lower than you think it is.....So regardless of what you are getting, it will always be roughly 60% of the the advertised ones. – hagubear – 2015-03-10T12:36:50.033
@DavidPostill Yes I do :) their AP is secured. they gave me the password. – Ryan McCurry – 2015-03-10T12:36:51.463
@hagubear I figured it would be. it's just I spent $25 for the adapter :( – Ryan McCurry – 2015-03-10T12:39:26.520
@RyanMcCurry Also, as you mentioned already your USB 2 cord (USB 2 right? or 1) can only go as far as 60 MBps theoretically....However, this is well within the high-speed (expected) internet throughput...so shouldn't cause any problems. – hagubear – 2015-03-10T12:46:27.810
Opps, I should have mentioned that. It's actually USB 3.0. Does distance affect that? – Ryan McCurry – 2015-03-10T12:47:36.090
Do you only have an "amplified" USB adaptor on your end? IMHO, you should have a long-range WiFi link consisting of two dedicated adaptors/routers with directional antennas. – Colin 't Hart – 2015-03-10T12:49:29.527
@Colin'tHart I am not sure actually if they have an amplifier. I have to doubt it since it rarely works. – Ryan McCurry – 2015-03-10T12:54:03.250
Got the budget for a wok? Some folk use them as a parabolic dish ;p – Journeyman Geek – 2015-03-10T13:58:06.153
Something else worth considering is, while you are picking up signals from the other side well, they might not be picking up your signals. – Journeyman Geek – 2015-03-10T14:27:04.913
@JourneymanGeek Hmm.... Well, Is there a way I can boost my transmitting power? – Ryan McCurry – 2015-03-10T15:22:25.820
Do yourself a favor and get some decent equipment. The Ubiquiti PBE-M2-400 is less than $100 and can do this kind of thing very, very well. Many other manufacturers make similar products. You need a very good antenna and you need to connect using Ethernet if the antenna is far away. All other considerations are secondary.
– David Schwartz – 2015-03-11T20:23:49.643You need to check various points in your setup. 1st - its there a clear path between your antenna and your neighboors antenna ? 2nd - are you using outdoor antennas set up on masts etc ? If not, no power in the world will get your signal into your neighboors house and vice versa. 3rd - are the antennas properly aligned ? 4th - what protocol are you using ? 2.4GHz B ? G ? N ? 5.8GHz A ? N ? What you are trying to do is usually not possible without proper equipment and knowledge. – Jorge Aldo – 2015-03-27T04:50:46.780