{"id":4315,"date":"2021-11-12T13:35:19","date_gmt":"2021-11-12T12:35:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/?p=62412"},"modified":"2021-11-12T13:45:14","modified_gmt":"2021-11-12T12:45:14","slug":"how-to-boost-wi-fi-and-get-the-internet-in-your-garden","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/how-to-boost-wi-fi-and-get-the-internet-in-your-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"How to boost Wi-Fi and get the internet in your garden"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Daniel Griffiths\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 12 November 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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We\u2019ve all been there. You\u2019re relaxing with a movie on your tablet or simply endlessly scrolling through Instagram as usual and \u2013 hey \u2013 the sun is out so why not continue in the garden? You take two steps outside and\u2026 \u2018loading\u2019\u2026 [spinny wheel]\u2026 \u2018loading\u2019\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Fact is, while Wi-Fi may be one of the modern era\u2019s greatest miracles, the little box in your hallway is the internet\u2019s weakest link, doing your downloads a disservice, and letting the world wide web down.<\/span><\/p>\n

\""Live\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Live the outdoor internet dream with our guide to the fastest fixes.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Don\u2019t worry. We\u2019re here to help with a brace of connection-boosting tips guaranteed to bring broadband to your borders and gaming to your greenhouse. And \u2013 good news \u2013 many don\u2019t involve lifting a finger or spending a penny, starting with some basic router knowledge and housekeeping that might just work wonders.<\/span><\/p>\n

How can I get Wi-Fi internet in my garden?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Incredibly, it may be that all you need is a little rearranging of your furniture to get your garden connected.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wi-Fi hates all of the objects and materials that make up a modern home, meaning that by the time the signal gets to your garden\u2026 there\u2019s not a lot of it left. By minimising the amount of furniture, objects and people between you and your router and you\u2019ll finally see what your router is capable of.<\/span><\/p>\n

\""Wi-Fi\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Cutting down on the volume of obstacles between you and your router is your first quick fix.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

What materials block Wi-Fi signals?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Concrete, stone and brick<\/h4>\n

Avoid. In that order. Worst to \u2018best\u2019. Of course, avoiding walls altogether is impossible but do try to cut down the number of obstacles (ie, walls) between your router and where you need your internet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It may be that moving your router just a few feet from its usual spot will suddenly increase its range as signals bounce around in new ways. Be mindful of chimney breasts and fireplaces. They feature TWO walls to block signals, rather than the alcoves beside them which only feature one.<\/span><\/p>\n

The less walls, the stronger your signal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Metal<\/h4>\n

You\u2019re probably thinking that you\u2019ve no metal walls in your home (cosy, right?) but chances are that if you live in a modern construction, internal walls could be within metal frames, filled with insulating panels covered with metal foil. They\u2019re great for reflecting heat back into the room, but are also brilliant for blocking and confusing Wi-Fi signals too.<\/span><\/p>\n

Try to get a line of sight through openings and doorways instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

Glass, mirrors and tiles<\/h4>\n

All are great for reflecting and redirecting Wi-Fi signals. While a mirror in the hallway is great for reflecting light and making the room look that little bit grander\u2026 It does no favours to your Wi-Fi.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Avoid placing your router by a mirror, window or low down on a tiled floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Everything from fish tanks to furniture<\/h4>\n

It\u2019ll come as no surprise that large bodies of water and lots of heavily stuffed furniture (with lots of water-based people sat upon them) are your Wi-Fi\u2019s enemy so if you always sit in the same spot to work or play, try to clear a direct line of sight to your router to stop signals getting lost on the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\""Cutting\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Got a room overlooking your garden? With an open-able door or window? That\u2019s the ideal place to position your router.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Wi-Fi 5 Vs Wi-Fi 6\u2026 2.4Hz Vs 5GhZ\u2026<\/b><\/h2>\n

A basic knowledge of (boring) standards could help nail your Wi-Fi problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wi-Fi comes in an increasing number of flavours all beginning with the prefix \u2018802.11\u2019. Mercifully standards have simplified in recent times, renamed to \u2018Wi-Fi 5\u2019, \u2018Wi-Fi 6\u2019 etc with 6 being the current \u2018best\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Older routers made before the current standard use an older wavelength \u2013 2.4GhZ. This transmits further (perfect for reaching the garden) but 5Ghz goes faster, letting you \u2018see\u2019 more of the internet speed that you\u2019re paying for.<\/span><\/p>\n

\""Close\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
With an up-to-date router close by you\u2019ll get top speed, and then there\u2019s the slower, rangier 2.4Ghz option if you need to head out further.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

So if you\u2019ve not replaced your router for five years or more you may be stuck with a slow 2.4GhZ router \u2013 Google its make and model for more info \u2013 so you could enjoy an instant Wi-Fi win by getting an upgrade from your internet provider or buying a new router using one of the later modern Wi-Fi 5 or 6 standards.<\/span><\/p>\n

So 5 is faster\u2026 but 2.4 goes further\u2026 And having both gives you the best of both worlds.<\/p>\n

THE simplest AND fastest solution for better garden Wi-Fi<\/b><\/h2>\n

Sounds obvious, but why not just bring the router closer to you? Investing in something as simple as a longer cable to use between your phone socket and your router can free it up to be lifted onto a windowsill overlooking your garden.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\""Wireless\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Positioning your router outdoors may not be a realistic permanent fix\u2026 but it works.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Better yet actually placing your router on a sill, or table <\/span>actually outside<\/span><\/i> will (albeit temporarily) work wonders. Just remember to bring it in out of the rain when you\u2019re done\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

So if you don\u2019t mind the wire, a simple phone extension lead such as this one is all you need to move your router to a more garden-friendly position. Just choose the length you need.<\/span><\/p>\n

ASNQ RJ11 to RJ11 Telephone Extension Internet Wire<\/h3>\n
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