WIFI range extenders

I have a friend trying to get a better signal from his neighbor with one of these.  It seems to me that only the sender can boost the signal and the receiver has to deal with what is there.   What's the story ??

Not sure what the question is, but the extenders I use are placed between the main router and wherever the location is that needs the signal. Plug it in, get it attached to the main router (network & password if there is one) and it should pump a signal to the location where the signal was not reaching, or was weak. You are correct that whatever you get, is what you get. Main router putting out 5mb/sec, extender will get somewhat less.

He doesn't have access to the "main router" so it seems all he can do is add an external antenna to his laptop ...... which may or may not help

I have also used the USB antennas and they seem to work pretty well. TP Link has them and they are cheap.

Why doesn't your friend have access to the modem? If the neighbor is sharing his signal why would he not allow your friend access in order to boost the signal?

Wait a minute, even if he doesn't have access to the main router he must know the code to get on the network. If he knows the network code he should still be able to set up the extender. Most of them have a computer interface where you select the network and enter the password, it then synchs up and it should work.

Lady Otter Latté wrote:Why doesn't your friend have access to the modem? If the neighbor is sharing his signal why would he not allow your friend access in order to boost the signal?

You think it may be something like a non-techie does not want to ask a non-techie neighbor if he can plug a box into his modem and TRY to configure it.  Since he has the code he is not stealing.   Just doesn't want to cause trouble

Ever get it working?

He said so but is a spacey guy and ignored my questions about what he was working with.   I'll visit eventually