wireless router signal booster?

[beer batter]

Some neighbors at the lake installed a wireless router and gave me permisstion to use it any time. This past weekend I was on call and had to log in to our VPN to check some things. We must be on the 300ft border for the signal because it would come and go constantly.

Short of walking closer to the neighbor's house to get a better signal, is there anything I could add to boost the signal so that it's accessible from a further distance?

[upnorth]

There are a few wireless extenders out there, but you would still need to get that device close enough to your neighbors router to get a decent signal to extend. And they aren't free. Marketing blurb below.

Quote:

Expand the range of your wireless network! The Linksys Wireless-G Range Expander is the easy way to increase the effective coverage of your wireless network.

Unlike adding a traditional access point to your network to expand wireless coverage, the Wireless-G Range Expander does not need to be connected to the network by a data cable. Just put it within range of your main access point or wireless router, and it "bounces" the signals out to remote wireless devices.

This "relay station" or "repeater" approach saves wiring costs and helps to build wireless infrastructure by driving signals into even those distant, reflective corners and hard-to-reach areas where

[MuleShack]

if you google hawking technologies, they have a few products that you can hook up to your laptop. One looks like a mini satelite dish 6-7" diam that you can point toward the signal and it is suppose to hone in on the source signal to get better reception.

The other option is to purchase a directional antenna. But this would hook up to their router and point toward your cabin for better reception.

Just some options.

[merkman]

Use multiple network cards (usb type if you have a laptop)

Works like a charm.

If you can find something with an external antenna all the better.

Just remember even though your neighbors gave you their permission to use the signal the permission may not be theirs to give (check with the internet provider to be 100% legal)