Best repeater?

[iwannabastartsomeday]

Which type of repeater/booster is best for this?

Line of sight is mostly not there. Getting a bounced signal off a metal
gate and can just barely connect but not reliably-getting 1 to 3 stars
on the laptop windows readout. When I can connect, signal is speed is
half way decent. Sometimes if I power off the router and on again and
change my mac address, I can then connect. I don't know what is going on
with that, but I do have the logon PW for connection to the router. This
is an ISP that is known for it's flakiness. And they
are using some kind of software so as to prevent weak connections,
either by mac address or position of the units. I could do a factory
reset of the modem but it's a hassle, I don't want to mess with it.

This is a shared router with the owner and I don't have the password, so
can do nothing with those settings. (for all you netcops: YES I do have
owner permission)

Router is in a separate house may not be on same electrical circuit. I
have positioned the router for max. benefit, but it's not enough.

I need a repeater or signal booster. I am using a laptop, windows 8.1.
Number of bars on laptop does not reliably show the signal strength, I
can either connect or not connect often depending the weather and other
unknown variables.

I want a repeater that is easy to setup, plug in, without having to
enter the settings for the main ISP router/modem. Any constructive
replies welcomed.

[Rudolph Rhein]

Post by iwannabastartsomeday
Which type of repeater/booster is best for this?
Line of sight is mostly not there. Getting a bounced signal off a metal
gate and can just barely connect but not reliably-getting 1 to 3 stars
on the laptop windows readout. When I can connect, signal is speed is
half way decent. Sometimes if I power off the router and on again and
change my mac address, I can then connect. I don't know what is going on
with that, but I do have the logon PW for connection to the router. This
is an ISP that is known for it's flakiness. And they
are using some kind of software so as to prevent weak connections,
either by mac address or position of the units. I could do a factory
reset of the modem but it's a hassle, I don't want to mess with it.
This is a shared router with the owner and I don't have the password, so
can do nothing with those settings. (for all you netcops: YES I do have
owner permission)
Router is in a separate house may not be on same electrical circuit. I
have positioned the router for max. benefit, but it's not enough.
I need a repeater or signal booster. I am using a laptop, windows 8.1.
Number of bars on laptop does not reliably show the signal strength, I
can either connect or not connect often depending the weather and other
unknown variables.
I want a repeater that is easy to setup, plug in, without having to
enter the settings for the main ISP router/modem. Any constructive
replies welcomed.

My first recommendation is something like this, but see more below.
Loading Image...

This is what I "think" you have based on what you said.
1. Your laptop connects to an access point of weak/flaky signal strength.
2. That AP appears to be a router which connects to a modem (to the ISP).
3. You have the passphrase for that AP but not the password for the router.
4. You want a better connection without messing with the router or modem.

While we don't know the frequency range (2.4GHz or 5GHz), or what your
120VAC power considerations are at the location of the laptop, even so it
seems to me you have a few options, one of which is the "repeater" you speak
of (assuming you can keep it dry & power it up wherever you end up placing
it).

That repeater can be almost any extra router you have on your shelves. If
you can protect it from the elements and get power to it, that repeater can
be positioned roughly about halfway between the laptop and what I'll call
the "main router" to act as a wireless repeater.

I have only set up wired repeaters (because the speeds are double that way)
but I don't recall that you have to mess with the main router to set up a
repeater (but double check that this is a correct assumption). If that's the
case then almost any router will work as a wireless repeater and even if the
one you have on your shelf doesn't have the firmware to be a wireless
repeater, most can be set up with DD-WRT or Tomato or the like which will
likely allow wireless repeating.

Another option is to plug in a more powerful transmitter and a more
sensitive receiver to your laptop USB or Ethernet port. If you're not LOS
and hence bouncing signal it would at least give you more signal to bounce
to the main router, and it would pluck out more signal to receive from the
main router.

While USB transmitter/receivers are what most people would use to increase
the signal strength and receiver sensitivity of a laptop, you may need more
powerful & more sensitive professional equipment to plug into your laptop.
https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-USB-WiFi-Adapter-PC/dp/B07V4R3QHW

A much more powerful transmitter and a more sensitive receiver could be
plugged into your laptop's Ethernet port if you have 120VAC power at the
laptop location. https://help.nmsu.edu/files/2020/03/thumbnail_IMG_3814.jpg
https://help.nmsu.edu/connection-settings-for-apartment-communities/

Almost any access point will work plugged into your laptop Ethernet port
which is why that's what I recommend, because you can find powerful ones.
https://community.ui.com/questions/Which-device-bullet-nano-pico-loco-bests-serves-DUAL-use-needs-as-a-laptop-and-home-wifi-extender/32192267-3a65-4264-bea8-bcc247b77549

I guessed at a few things above so let me know if I guessed wrong.