Wireless question

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One venue I play at has wireless set up, but the stage area seems to be a bit too far to get a good signal. Is there some kind of booster or antenna I can get to add to my laptop to connect better? I do have an older Belkin wireless USB stick. Can I use this like an antenna? I also have my own router for home. Can this be used to pick up the signal? Or maybe something I can add on their end?

Thanks
 
Depending on what equipment they are using, they may be able to extend the antenna closer to you. But it may be simpler and cheaper for them to just add a new access point closer to you. They also may need to change the channel settings to remove any interference providing a better signal.

From your end all you can do is make sure that you have the best wireless adapter you can get. That usually means a built-in unit in the laptop hopefully using multiple antennas wired into the top cover providing the strongest possible signal. However, if you have an older laptop you can easily try a newer 802.11N adapter. Although the hotel probably doesn't have an "N" network, the new adapters typically provide a stronger signal for the older "B" or "G" networks. You can put a USB network adapter on a cable and place it in a better position to reach the access point than you can from your laptop. Just like using a wireless mic, you want to minimize interference in the signal path so keep it away from your equipment.

Scott