I have a D-Link router (b/g). I can use the laptop anywhere in the house except the screen porch, which I'd like to do.

What's the difference between a "range extender" & an "antenna"? The terms seems self explanatory but I'm not sure it's that simple. Does the antenna replace the supplied antenna on the router or does it somehow plug into the laptop to better receive the signal?

I'm more interested in the antenna since it seems to be much less expensive.

Thanks for the info!!

D-Link Antenna

I'm not sure, I would have bought and Xtreme "N" router and not had to worry about the coverage. It's suppose to give 6x further range the "G". I have a "G" router but am using Pre "N" adapters which give me better coverage then wireless "G" adapters, I've tried both and can notice the difference.

A screen porch is a wireless killer. You won't get a signal there unless you have an access point or antenna within a few feet. Water is a big killer, too. Companies design buildings using things like metal screens and pretty waterfalls in the lobby to keep their wireless signals from bleeding out beyond the perimeter of their structures.

To your question, the range extender is basically another wireless access point but it can only work as a repeater for an existing wireless access point or router. You set it up with the same SSID and encryption (if you use any) and it will act like an extension of your wireless router. You may or may not have to also add in the MAC address of your wireless router on the extender.

Your wireless connection is always looking for the strongest signal on any wireless network that you have it configured to use. If move closer to the range extender, your laptop will switch over to that signal on the fly. Just make sure you use different channels on the router and extender.

And you are right on the antenna. It replaces the one attached to your router. They usually add 4 to 8 dBi gain to give you better range. In your case, I'd go with the extender and get it as close as possible to the porch.

You could change your screen material.

Thanks for the replies folks.

Tim - I've had the router for a while, before N was available. Would rather not upgrade unless I have to, especially if I could solve my problems with a $25 antenna.

PH - do you think the antenna would help at all? I'm not sure it's anything to do with the screens but rather a distance issue. I've tried the laptop in the garage (a bit further than the porch) & it drops there also. The extender goes for quite a bit more than the antenna; if I drop that much coin, maybe I'd be better upgrading to N......

GBFFL - I did a couple of years back, replaced the metal screens with fiberglass (so I'm not sure that's the problem).

Oh, fiberglass probably won't be a problem. The antenna might be enough if you only need to add about 20-30 feet of range.

Thanks PH. I'm leaning in that direction.

Update. I bought the antenna. $35 from Amazon w/ a $20 rebate (can't beat that with a stick). I now get reception in the screen porch. The laptop says it has low signal strength but the speed is virtually identical to anywhere else in the house. Well worth the $15 to me.