Can you add an external antenna to a HM to improve WIFI range


 
Andrew F

Andrew F

TVWBB Super Fan
My house seems to be a black hole when it come to wifi range. The fact that is aluminum sided probably doesn't help. Also, ATT installing my router in the basement may have something to do with the signal strength as well.
As you can guess, my wifi out on the deck where I smoke is sketchy at best. I can get a signal if the HM if I make the correct sacrifices to the WIFI gods, and have the HM positioned just right. Is there any way to attach an external antenna to boost the wifi?
I have a 4.2, with the small USB wifi, so I'm guessing no. Could I use a different wifi adapter? Maybe something like:

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003516BJU/tvwb-20

Or perhaps :

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00MXD2T5G/tvwb-20

Or should I just run a network cable out to my deck and put in a weatherproof box?
 
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The HeaterMeter site has a page listing compatible/tested wireless adapters, but it doesn't look like many of the type you are looking at have been tested.
https://github.com/CapnBry/HeaterMeter/wiki/Wireless-Adapters

I think at the very least, find a wifi adapter that advertises linux compatibility. I have one of these at home, maybe I'll try it out on my HeaterMeter sometime.

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003YHYIT0/tvwb-20

Another option is to use a second router to extend/repeat your network. I do this occasionally when I need a little extra boost to my backyard. You could run a network cable from your router to another one on that side of the house and set it up as an access point. Then your HM is still wireless and you'll have better wifi on your deck for all your devices.
 
Another option would to be to re-purpose an old router into a wireless bridge. You could then connect the HM to the old router via ethernet cable.
Lot's of info on the net can show how to get this done.

The old router/access-point would probably outperform most external antenna solutions.
 
Because the firmware image is only 10MB, there isn't support for every wifi adapter, just the chips listed on the HeaterMeter wifi page. I've tried some of those that have antennas and did not notice any extended range (powered with a 12V battery and walking beyond my properly) with them so it seems like a bit of a crapshoot with these cheap adapters. The best bet is to use wired ethernet if you're having range issues or maybe try a wifi extender somewhere close.

I've used one of these at a friend's house and got another 30m of range out of their existing wifi. They don't make that any more but it was $20 at the time and there are comparable models now that I assume will work just as well without saddling the HeaterMeter with a giant whip antenna.
 
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