Does increasing "radio power" on wireless router increase the range?
On my Asus WL-520g router there's an option to increase the "radio power" from the default number of 19 (which is recommended) up to 84 (max).
Will this increase the range of the wireless signal? It doesn't seem to! My computer on the other side of the house is still "Low" and sometimes "Good" even when I ramp it up to 84.
Was that what it was designed for or is it for something else?
Public Comments
1. There are many things that can affect the effective radiated power of a transmitter other than sheer strength of signal:1) height of transmitter
2) obstacles between the transmitter and receiver
3) distance of transmitter to receiver
4) whether the signal is directed or not
5) frequency of the signal
In your situation, you have the ability to change 1) 2) 3) and 4). You're stuck with the frequency 5).
For 1), Make sure that your transmitter (your router) is as high off the ground as possible
For 2), try to avoid having the signal go through concrete floors or lath and plaster walls.
For 3), install your router in a centralized location in your house.
For 4), if all of the above do not help, buy a directional antenna for your router and direct the antenna in the direction of the general areas in your house where you use your computer.
Good luck,
Annorax64
2. Annorax64 has great info. You can also try the receiver (computer side):
1) Is your computer antenna in a spot surrounded by materials or obstructions?
2) Can you move your computer higher?
3) Sometimes you can purchase an extender for you computer antenna with higher gain. Higher gain = better reception. But check on the return policy in case it don't do the job. Ask your local electronics store.
3) You can buy a device called a repeater. It helps for computer antennas having some signal reception problems.
Good luck.
