There are several reasons why your wireless signal is spotty or non-existent in some areas of your farm office – all of them can be frustrating. You just want reliable and speedy internet, is that so much to ask? It’s not, and it is possible to fix. Here are some tips and tools to help you improve the wireless connection in your smart office:

1. Check your antenna direction. If your wireless router has antennas, check the direction. The ideal position for maximum reach is one antenna pointing straight up and the other horizontally.

2. Avoid interference. Consider moving the location or position of your router to avoid interference from metal furniture, brick walls or other electronics.

3. Update your wireless software and firmware. Login to your router’s admin console and check for updates of the firmware. You should also check your computers and mobile devices to ensure that your wireless connection software is up-to-date.

4. Check your connected network. Some internet service providers give you access to login to mobile hotspots in the community. When you it set to automatically connect, it can do the same at elsewhere so make sure you avoid setting your ISP to connect automatically.

5. Connect to the better band. If you have newer router, you’ll notice that there are two networks – one for 2.4Ghz and one for 5Ghz. The 5Ghz band has less noise (fewer devices such as cordless phones and garage door openers), but is less likely to penetrate walls.

6. Repeat it. Wireless repeaters can extend your network throughout your office space, building or farm. Check out products and services like Ayrstone, eero and Luma. There are plenty of options for wireless repeaters, but these companies offer easy setup.

7. Replace it. If your router is old, it may be time to replace it. You can purchase a newer model online or contact your ISP to request a newer model as a part of your service agreement. They will not let you know when it is time to upgrade – you have to take action on your own!

Do you have tips to improve wireless connectivity in your smart office? Tell me about it in the comments below, on Twitter @nerdsquawk or via email at [email protected].

The opinions of the author are not necessarily those of Farm Futures or Penton Agriculture.