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I am currently using an “amplified” USB Wi-Fi Adapter. The reason I quote “amplified” is because even though I am able to connect to my neighbor’s ap from 0.4 miles away, with a good signal, the Internet is basically unusable most of the time even though their plan is a fast 5 to 10 mbps.

The problem is I cannot get over 1Mbps most of the time. I can get two if I am lucky, but this doesn’t last long. Speed test on a bad day show upload speeds as slow as 0.01Mbps and downloads as slow as 0.08-0.15Mbps.

I have tried the following with no real luck.

  • Moving my adapter and mounting it on my outside window.
  • Limiting the Wi-Fi speed to 802.11b mode (11Mbps)
  • Checking wireless channels for interference and cannot find any interference.
  • Fixing my extended USB 3.0 rig.

I have a couple theories but I can’t be certain.

  • My USB 3.0 cable: It’s is made up of three other cables that are kept together with electrical tape so I thought that it had something to do with it. However, using the cable that came with the device did not improve things.
  • The negotiated link speed needs to stay at 2Mbps: I have 4 bar signal with a 54Mbps link speed. When the Wi-Fi works rather well—and I can watch YouTube without stuttering interruptions—I notice the link speed is usually at 2Mbps and when my download speeds reach 0—and when YouTube dies—the link speed is back to 54Mbps. I want to keep it at 2Mbps.

The short version is I would like to know:

  • If there are any ways to fix my Wi-Fi and prevent dead download speeds
  • If any of the theories presented are valid.
  • If anything can be done without spending money I do not have on paying a monthly bill for dedicated Internet.
  • And if any of this can be done without ripping my house from the foundation and move closer to my neighbors.
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    Do you have your neighbours permission to use their wifi conection?
    – DavidPostill
    Mar 10, 2015 at 12:35
  • @ryanmccurry Do you know that the throughput is actually much lower than you think it is.....So regardless of what you are getting, it will always be roughly 60% of the the advertised ones.
    – ha9u63a7
    Mar 10, 2015 at 12:36
  • @DavidPostill Yes I do :) their AP is secured. they gave me the password. Mar 10, 2015 at 12:36
  • @hagubear I figured it would be. it's just I spent $25 for the adapter :( Mar 10, 2015 at 12:39
  • @RyanMcCurry Also, as you mentioned already your USB 2 cord (USB 2 right? or 1) can only go as far as 60 MBps theoretically....However, this is well within the high-speed (expected) internet throughput...so shouldn't cause any problems.
    – ha9u63a7
    Mar 10, 2015 at 12:46

1 Answer 1

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Do they really qualify to be called neighbors if they stay half a mile away? :P

About your question, this is due to with the lower power transmitted from your USB Wi-Fi adapter. When signal sent from the AP reaches your USB Wi-Fi adapter properly then USB adapter needs to send an ACK back to AP.

USB devices are low powered, so signal sent from it does not have enough power to reach AP properly, consequently lot of those packets are dropped. Without an ACK the AP keeps re-transmitting, that is why you are getting lower overall throughput.

This also explains why your upload is so low. An externally powered (aka: amplified) antenna should do a better job. Having said that with all the packet losses which will happen for this kind of distance, you wont ever reach 10Mbps, also yours AP seems to be 802.11b/802.11g (54 Mbps) which doesnt do enough error correction, thus higher packet loss.

Get directional antennas if you really want to see 10Mbps else for minor improvement upgrading AP to 802.11n and using an externally powered Wi-Fi adapter will help.

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  • A search for 'Pringles can directional antenna' will yield very interesting results.
    – blaughw
    Mar 11, 2015 at 20:39
  • What is an externally powered antenna?
    – user326006
    Mar 11, 2015 at 20:43
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    @Saeed, Where you use a different power source for the antenna, such as a power outlet or battery. I would assume Mar 11, 2015 at 21:42
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    @JakeGould Thank you for understanding the pain of being a "country boyh" LOL Mar 11, 2015 at 21:46
  • @RyanMcCurry Can you please show me one of those antennas? i'm really interested to try them.
    – user326006
    Mar 12, 2015 at 7:34

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