wireless signal receiver?

[Max-Powers]

I am deploying to Africa here next week. The base will have wireless internet, but it is said to be slow and week signal in places. What kind of thing can help me out in this situation? I have a inspiron 1520. Dont know what kind of wireless card I have.

 

[tiraides]

First off, best of luck to you in your deployment.

Based on its specs page, the Inspiron 1520 supports 802.11b/g. You may want to consider buying an add-on card that suppports 802.11a and/or 802.11n. Though unnecessary, it may improve your chances of obtaining a signal.

For slow/weak coverage, a range extender may be your best bet. But it's often more expensive than buying a new wireless router/card and, depending on where you'll be located at, it may not even be a feasible option. (For example, the wireless signal range is beyond the range of the range extender's coverage area. Or, you may be in an area where you can't use a range extender, which often looks like a standalone modem/router.)

 

[Max-Powers]

a range extender would have to plug into the source of the internet right? I don't think I can just go up to whoever controls the internet on the base and say, plug this in. So I need to improve it on my end. there is no big antenna i can get?

 

[Max-Powers]

So i am here. We are living in small conexes quite a ways from the source of the internet. Signal where I am at is there but just to low signal. Would something like this work? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833164156 I know where the internet is coming from. So I just want to put something on my roof that will pick up the signal for me.

 

[tiraides]

If you know exactly where the signal is coming from, then that could be a great option. (Just make sure that you have a cable long enough to connect it to your router/range extender.) Otherwise, you may want to find a good omnidirectional outdoor antenna to use.