In reply to a post by MHC:

Yes, it is costly but a possibility if everything else fails. You would need, the right AP too.

I think for the OP's very small budget the powerline solution once tested is the way to go but the Wifi Access Point would always be my choice as it gives better overall garden coverage.

For years we have used a TP-link extender along the length of our house. The far end is an extension on a separate mains circuit supplied of course from the same meter. Works well and no problems, first FTTC and currently 80/20 Plusnet FTTP. Tests at 72Mb from router and from the TP-Link.

One thing I found: being an old house I checked the original socket connections. After years the copper does flatten and the conductor wire may be loosened. A quick half-turn on the securing screw does the trick and avoids any nasty crackles.

In reply to a post by burble:

In reply to a post by br1anstorm:

More thinking, more homework, and more ideas needed!

If you are happy to plug in a USB antenna into the laptop, and use 2,4mhz, then there are plenty on the bay for about £30, look for "long range wifi", I got one years ago for IIRC £15 as a cheap trial and have been using it ever since in the van, if you want to wait a week or two I could retrieve mine from the van (parked at our other house) and try it from the bottom of our garden where wifi is marginal, to see what speeds might be achieved, in fact I might try it myself just to get some figures on how well it works.

Got the antenna out the van today and did some speed tests.
The set up, 100/20 FTTP which usually runs at 105/22, router is a Sagemcom Fast 5364, antenna is a (el cheapo) Signalking SK-11TN.
Total distance from router to laptop 35yd, obstacles in the way of signal, 1 wattle and daub wall and single sheet green house glass.
With laptop's internal antenna approx 10/5. https://www.thinkbroadband.com/_assets/speedtest/but...
With Signalking 30+/20
https://www.thinkbroadband.com/_assets/speedtest/but...

Thanks @burble, for following up on this and posting your findings.

I'm experimenting with a couple of other arrangements at the moment, but it looks as if a USB antenna may also be worth considering.

I'm trying out a quick, simple, cheap and cheerful option at the moment - a TP-Link WA854RE range-extender/repeater. Doesn't make a massive difference, but choosing the right location between router and garden room does seem to extend the range and gives a stronger signal in the latter location, which is good.

Thanks to another kind forum member I also have the opportunity to try a Devolo Powerline arrangement - which I plan to set up in the next week or two just to see how it performs.

And then maybe I'll go looking for a USB antenna, especially if I feel the need for a better signal further away from the house....

Edited by br1anstorm (Wed 12-Mar-25 18:27:51)

For el cheapo USB antenna's like the SignalKing you need to consider their limitations, for me in the van it works very well, can be positioned and directed to get best signal, and the lead is long enough. For a garden room you might find the length of lead a problem depending on how big the garden room is and where in it you would use the laptop.