Weak WIFi Signals

Accessing the WiFi at the fair with cell phones and tablets which have very small antennas and lower power radios can be problematic. This page will try to outline how you can increase your odds of it working.

First some advice that applies to all phones and tablets. If it has an optional metal case, try connecting with it off. Put your device in a place that gets better reception, this is usually up higher and with an unobstructed view down the path. If none of these suggestions apply to your situation then you might try just bringing a spare laptop out to the fair, They have better internal antennas, or you can also easily plug in a WiFi dongle similar to the ones listed below. By the way, if you have a choice of antennas, get one that is somewhat directional. Those will usually look like a flat plate, or a small dish. Less common are Yagis which look a bit like a large comb.

iPhones:

iPhones don't have an USB connector so your options are limited, and fall into roughly two categories. You can get an App that claims to up the radios sensitivity, or you can get a special case / antenna that is inductively coupled to the built in antenna.

Inductive Antennas:

• http://www.amazon.com/Linkase-Compatible-iPhone-Booster-Verizon/dp/B00C2J20S2
• http://www.yugster.com/deals/51193-absolute-linkase-wifi-signal-booster-and-protective-case-for-iphone-5
• http://www.radioshack.com/pointmobl-wi-fi-booster-for-iphone-5/1709301.html#.VRRgGnSoI5Y
• https://www.ifixit.com/Store/iPhone/iPhone-5-Wi-Fi-Antenna/IF118-025-1

Cases:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9zmjzCQZ6w
  • http://www.zazzle.com/amid+iphone+cases

Signal "Boosting" Apps:

I only found one of these that didn't strike me right off as being snake oil. Though I don't have an iPhone so if someone has experience with any of these to share please let me know.

• http://www.addictivetips.com/ios/improve-iphone-career-wifi-signal-strength-on-ios-7/

Android:

Most if not all Android devices have an USB port which gives them another option, you can usually connect an external WiFi dongle with a good antenna to the device. It must be a recent version of the android OS, and the device must have USB On-The-Go or OTG. In other words it supports USB host mode. If those two things are true, then you may be in luck. You must be careful to pick a WiFi dongle who's chipset is supported by your phones firmware, this means there is a driver already on your phone for those dongles. Your manufacturer may also provide optional drivers for download on their website. A popular WiFi chipset in the Android ecosystem is the RTL8187, or RTL8188, though you should check first with the manufacturer of your device to see if it's actually supported before you go out and buy one. Here are some devices that have those chipsets:

External WiFi Dongles:

• http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WXSO76/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl
• http://www.ebay.com/bhp/realtek-rtl8187
• http://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Wireless-Integrated-Notebooks-Computers/dp/B009940KTY
• http://www.backtrack-linux.org/forums/showthread.php?t=33740
• http://edup.en.alibaba.com/product/60093970099-209808177/EDUP_RTL8187_Wireless_USB_Wifi_Adapter_with_10dBi_WiFi_Antenna.html
• A post about how to find if a device is supported:
  • http://club.dx.com/forums/forums.dx/threadid.1017582

Inductive Antennas:

Since there are so many Android devices out there it may be harder to track down inductive antennas that will work with yours. Let me know if you find any.

Signal "Boosting" Apps:

• http://www.techgyd.com/wifi-network-signal-booster-android/11618/

Vendor Relations:

We need to be more proactive about checking in with vendors during the fair, and helping them get online. To this end we will open two new slots on the crew to work during the fair. This is in contrast to the rest of the crew that works during prefair. These intrepid souls will survey all the vendors during the three or four days of the fair, and collect survey results, while helping them get on line. Perhaps they can loan out a few devices to help a few hard cases.

Of course we should change the WiFi passwords each year. We could send out the new passwords in the spring vendor orientation packet, but perhaps that is too early to get the passwords out there in the wild. Instead we could have them pick them up at the craft inventory booth, and at that time the name and booth number could be collected. Then make sure they are contacted during the survey.

-- ClifCox - 26 Mar 2015