[Wireless] Does changing the aerial help much?

Hey geeks :sunny:

I've been using a wireless network at home for well over a year now and I want to improve the signal (currently its always low and occasionally dropping out)

My router:
D-Link Australia & New Zealand - DSL-G604T-GenII (http://www.dlink.com.au/Products.aspx?Sec=1&Sub1=1&Sub2=2&PID=50)

My PC wireless card:
D-Link Australia & New Zealand - DWL-G520 (http://www.dlink.com.au/Products.aspx?Sec=1&Sub1=11&Sub2=19&PID=110)

I'm using wireless because the phone lines in this house are downstairs, but my study is upstairs. The desktop would only be about 20 metres away from the router but there's 5 walls between the two (two of those are double brick) and a concrete slab.

I'm using the standard omnidirectional aerials.

I'm thinking about getting one or two of these puppies:
TP-Link TL-ANT2406A, 2.4GHZ 6DBI Indoor Desktop Yagi-Directional Antenna (Product Detail (http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/ProductDetail/tabid/104/ProductCode/NWWLTLANT2406A/Default.aspx))



Cliffs:
Wireless signal is not as groovy as the ladies like
Will a directional antenna halp?


Questions:

1) Will they make a difference?

2) Should I get one for the router and one for the PC? Or just one at one end (which end)?

It's hard for me to ever recommend these rediculous antenna upgrades for wireless routers because believe it or not, there's actually a free alternative that most people don't know about, it's called Windsurfer. It's a simple parabolic antenna reflector that's made out of paper.

You can see a quick instructional video here (http://learnhowto.tv/how-to-make-a-free-wifi-antenna-booster) that shows the process, which I think involves nothing more than paper, aluminum foil, scissors, and a little bit of Elmer's glue. And of course the actual template, to make your own, can be found here (http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template2/index.html) (image resizing may be necessary).

Just remember that this antenna will cripple some of your wireless omnidirectional range, as it's forcing the signal in specific direction, which means you'll need to aim towards your desired location, but it will help the signal stay a bit stronger over that distance, and can usually boost the signal enough to stabilize it if not raise it by a bar or two.


Try this first, it's virtually free, doesn't take long to make, and you'll know right away if it works.


However, if this doesn't work - I strongly recommend you consider upgrading your wireless to N. N can candle walls and other obstacles much better than G can, and while it's expensive, it's still a one time upgrade, and once you're established with an N router - you can still utilize your other wireless gear - if necessary, but I do recommend that if you're using a machine that's going through several walls and isn't able to effectively hold a connection that those specific devices get wireless N cards themselves to ensure they can get a good steady connection.

Two Cheap Yagi with roughly 80 degree horizontal and 50 degree vertical range should do wonders to improve the connection.

Ok.

I'll try the ugly looking alfoil parabolic mutants first.

If they don't work well, I'll go pick up a pair of the YAGI antennae.