I set up a 3D printer bay in the corner of my Faraday cage (i.e. steel shop} assuming an X2D would be powered by cable from shop computer - that could sit by shop window looking towards house. Of course, NO cable connection and the printer struggles to make a decent connection to house. I have similar problems with cell phone, that I usually leave by window on the valve grinder. So: if I buy a signal booster, where do I put it? Assume in window space as per all other wireless devices?
Wifi Signal Boosters
- Thread starter cannuck
- Start date
KenB
Well-known member
Distance from shop to house? Clear line of sight?
inphx
Well-known member
A range extender you may get from Walmart (staples or target) like TP-Link AX1500 placed at that window may be a solution to echo the signal inside the building. If you use your cell phone wifi near that window inside the garage can it connect? If so this would most likely work. If you have an Android phone a "WiFi Analyzer" app provides visual clarity on frequencies and signal levels as you walk out to the shop.
A WiFi mesh repeater network will do wonders for you.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
forget a signal booster. if the signal is already marginal to begin with, the booster is not gonna improve the signal or quality
instead run an ethernet line or use point to point radios and then install a local AP. Now you can use WiFi calling...
instead run an ethernet line or use point to point radios and then install a local AP. Now you can use WiFi calling...
Last edited:
dcg9381
Well-known member
This. When I was boosting cell phones, the real answer was to rig up an external antenna. There are booster solutions, but I think they are expensive and actually use external antennas.
Modern cell phones can use wifi for calling instead of cellular. Probably already built in. Fix the internet (wifi), you fix the problem.
I have the same problem with a steel shop and steel cargo trailer - it massively attenuates signals. Just put an access point inside your shop.
Mesh works great in most situations. Probably not the answer with a steel building. The mesh signal gets attenuated, you really need to get a wire inside the building.
Last edited:
justsam
Well-known member
What are you using inside the house in terms of modem, router, gateway etc? Can any or all of it be relocated so it has a better view of your shop and still give proper in house coverage?
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
yes an exterior roof mounted directional antenna is the key but if there are trees and or marginal signal even on the roof, or you dont know where the tower is, you may still not get good useable signal
Wifi calling is definitely the way to go as there are no doubts or chances it wont work....
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Especially if you are trying to run a 3D printer !
Serious 3D people put the printer and computer on a UPS !!!
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
dcg9381
Well-known member
The attenuation from these metal buildings is pretty substantial. If Starlink is 20' from my cargo trailer, the signal inside the trailer is ****. Same thing with the shop, the inside access points are marginal 5-10' from the building exterior....
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
If he is concerned about WiFi signal to a 3d Printer (OP said "assuming an X2D" which is a Bambo Lab 3D printer ) he should be more concerned about interrupted power ruining his part !what?this discussion is about cell signal boosters and wifi calling NOT UPSs
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
The printer is in a faraday cage so it should be hardwired after he runs an ethernet line or a P2P.
the latest discussion is about cell signal and wifi calling. nothing to do with UPSs.... youre derailing the convo as usual...
rd65
Well-known member
it's going sideways.....
Anyway, I subscribed to this to get ideas for wifi in my shop. Shop is 200' from my router, it is a pole building with metal sides and back. Front of the shop is lap hardie w/ comp roof (HOA, I know...)
Anyway, I subscribed to this to get ideas for wifi in my shop. Shop is 200' from my router, it is a pole building with metal sides and back. Front of the shop is lap hardie w/ comp roof (HOA, I know...)
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
either trench in CAT6 or do a P2P.... set a POE switch in the shop for hardwired connection and WAP
rd65
Well-known member
Uh, ya, what? It isnt worthy of a trench, that is for sure. Dont know what the other p2p, poe, wap stuff is.
dcg9381
Well-known member
Hard wire is your best option. Down from that, you could "try" a directional antenna. P2P is "point to point" wifi, basically two directional antennas... Usually two. You could try it with one, but it needs an interior access point INSIDE the shop as well...
Either you're digging or you're doing some tech.
Ubiquiti airMAX NanoStation
The lower end option to try (hasn't always worked for me) is Ethernet over power lines:
TP-Link AV2000 2-Port Gigabit Passthrough Powerline Starter
Sure, you can get a cell phone booster and put it in a window. Might work for your cell phone, won't help the printer.