Increasing wireless range

[Bodine]

I'm looking for the simplest option for increasing the signal stregnth in my 802.11G network. My WRT54G router is in the complete opposite side of the house from my wife's office. Her laptop keeps dropping the connection, even though the signal stregnth appears strong. The only way to get the connection re-establshed is to bring the laptop closer to the router. That works for a couple hours but then it dies again. I can't move my router, so I guess my only option is to get a repeater?

I've read about the after-market firmware on the WRT54G, so I guess I could get another and change the firmware, but I've also read about D-Link Wireless Range Extender. It seems pretty affordable and probably simpler than tinkering with firmware.

Anybody have experience with either/both, and did it help. Any other recommendations for cheap 802.11G extender?

 

[JackMDS]

There is No Simple.

Each environment has its own optimal solution.

The following pages describe the most common solution; find the one that fits your specific environment,

Link to: Extending the Distance of Entry Level Wireless Network.

Link to: Wirelessly Bridging Home / Network.

Link to: Hi Gain Antenna for Entry Level Wireless.

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[thescreensavers]

i have DD-wart on my wrt54gs and i incressed my mw the power for the antensas from 28mw to 50 mw i get about 1 and a half bars more i put it to 125mw with a fan and got 3 more bars but then i jsut removwed the fan and put it pack to defult but when i had it at 125mw in the area i had very low conection went up to good or very good. go to linksysinfo.org

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: thescreensavers
i have DD-wart on my wrt54gs and i incressed my mw the power for the antensas from 28mw to 50 mw i get about 1 and a half bars more i put it to 125mw with a fan and got 3 more bars

The Bars means very little since they include the NOISE.

If you choose to boost Power with 3rd party firmware you have to increase it a notch at the time and measure the SNR after every increase, it is rare that it would work well beyond 50 to 60 mW.

http://www.ezlan.net/wbars.html

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