Maximizing my router's range

[RobW]

Good news is I got my wireless router working and was 'gasming with joy as I took my laptop from the study to my room :trex:, but after a differentiating while, it disconnects which seems pretty obvious, that it means the routers are out of range. I'd like to keep it in my room whilst my little sister can "lol w/ her m8s" on the computer downstairs, so does anyone know of any tips and tricks, if any, for maximizing my router's range?

[The Grim Reaper]

Yep.
Tinfoil.
You know, that alluminium foil stuff?
Make a form of curved face and stick it to something sturdy, and place this on the oppisite side of the router than to where your room is, so its like a dish. Apparently this works rather well. http://www.hackaday.com/2005/02/20/a-better-wifi-antenna/
You can also use parabolic items like a wok, but they are hard to fit around your router. They work best around a usb dongle to creat a satellite.
Also keep it away from microwaves and telephones.

If that fails, buy a new antennea for it, a lot of them are detachable. Or make one, like this:
http://www.a42.com/book/print/73

[RobW]

That's handy :D

Plus coming yr way.

[Timmeh]

Tinfoil.
You know, that alluminium foil stuff?


Tin = alluminium?!

Couldn't resist :p.

Another, less effort involved method is to stick a mirror behind the router. It works. That said, most of these methods won't add much... if you live in an old house, you may find your wireless signal will suck no matter what you do because of the thicker walls and floors. I suffer from this, so I've got a "relay" computer set up under the stairs to carry the signal to the rest of the house... most people are a) not that nerdy and b) just don't care that much :p.

[The Grim Reaper]

Tin = alluminium?!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinfoil
:eng101:
also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin-foil_hat

[Timmeh]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinfoil
:eng101:
also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin-foil_hat

I know, it's still not the same material though :).