[OT]802.11g signal strength

[mailings02 at ttlexceeded.com (Bob George)]

Jerry Feldman wrote:

>  My friend just bought a Linksys 802.11g router for his condo along
>  with a new laptop [...] If the signal strength is still somewhat
>  weak, I was wondering if one of the remote signal boosters might help
>  (I probably wont need this).

Before popping for another piece of equipment, I'd try using some of the 
higher-gain antennas that fit the Linksys. They're about $45 with the 
Linksys brand 
(http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?childpagename=US%2FLayout&packedargs=c%3DL_Product_C2%26cid%3D1115416829416&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper), 
but you can find others cheaper. The antenna stands 
(http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?childpagename=US%2FLayout&packedargs=c%3DL_Product_C2%26cid%3D1115416829262&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper) 
allow you to place the antennas away from the base unit by an additional 
six feet without running power or cat 5, so it's a decent aesthetic 
solution.

My favorite solution, depending on the specific Linksys device you use, 
is some of the alternative Linux-based software that expands the 
capabilities. I use Sveasoft (www.sveasoft.com) but there are others. 
Using this firmware, out of the box, I can do the following on my 
Linksys WRT-54GS:

- SSH
- QoS
- syslog (send log to syslogd on linux server)
- boost power from default 24mw to 250mw (though pracical range is 
lower, I use 48mw)
- WDS mesh (allowing me to use cheap linksys routers as repeater rather 
than fancy "extenders")

With a boost in power to 48mw + the 7dBi antennae, my bookshelf-top 
mounted router in the basement is serving up to the second floor with 
good coverage. I use a 2nd WRT-54g (cheaper unit) as a repeater to cover 
some dead areas.

- Bob