Boost Linksys wireless router range

adsl3g

adsl3g

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I have got a linksys (the WRT54G - Cannot unscrew antennas) wireless router through which I run my ADSL access. The wireless is basically to supply access to my laptop which is located in the dining room most of the time as its more 'user friendly' to work from there.

Recently I have been having throughput problems in that the signal appears to vary from good to very bad (54mb/s down to 1mb/s) When at the bottom of the scale, I have a major lag in accessing even local sites which is driving me crazy. I have repositioned the router which has improved access a bit but not to an acceptable level. Changing the wireless channel has also not helped.

My question is - will in help if I attach a signal extender to the router. I have seen the linksys wireless router signal extender at Makro and was wondering if this would improve my access from various points around the house and outside or would the best bet be to install an ethernet cable through the ceiling (which I am not looking forward to).
 
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Connect to the router through ethernet cable is by far the best way to connect to it. But if you're going to be using you laptop to access the internet from other places besides your dining room then thats not a very good option. The signal extender will help boost the wireless signal significantly which in turn should keep you adsl running smoothly.
 
adsl3g, the WRT54G has detachable antennas, your best best may be some sort of directional antenna, not sure of where they are obtainable.
 
rsachoc said:
adsl3g, the WRT54G has detachable antennas, your best best may be some sort of directional antenna, not sure of where they are obtainable.
Click to expand...

Thanks gents - I have looked at the antennas and they don't appear to unscrew? I think I will go the extender route. I have looked at the manual and seems easy enough to install - I just don't want to spend the money and find no improvement. I don't suppose just updating the WRT54G's firmware will help. I will do that in anycase as it still has the original firmware on and the device is about a year old now.
What is weird is that I never had these problems of the signal dropping in the past, just lately (past 3 months or so) - I even got rid of the cordless DEC phone in the room and cannot see any other SSID's in the area. Laptop's wireless drivers have also been updated.
 
depends on which version of the wrt54g u have.. some can boost their own signal
 
DigitalPlanet.co.za has a range of aerials for Wireless devices, this includes extention cabled and dirrected aerials.
 
adsl3g said:
Thanks gents - I have looked at the antennas and they don't appear to unscrew? I think I will go the extender route. I have looked at the manual and seems easy enough to install - I just don't want to spend the money and find no improvement. I don't suppose just updating the WRT54G's firmware will help. I will do that in anycase as it still has the original firmware on and the device is about a year old now.
What is weird is that I never had these problems of the signal dropping in the past, just lately (past 3 months or so) - I even got rid of the cordless DEC phone in the room and cannot see any other SSID's in the area. Laptop's wireless drivers have also been updated.
Click to expand...

Ah yes, I think I know why. Basically you need to do the following:

1) Make the aerial level (i.e where it connect to the unit, push it down so its straight
2) Pull back the little black covers (they may be a little diffuclt at first)
3) You should see some threads
4) Unscrew

You can get third party firmware (such as dd-wrt) which allow you to increase the wireless power. This may help

Otherwise I still recommened a small gain directional antenna (such as a 7 or 8dbi)
 
adsl3g said:
I have got a linksys (the WRT54G - Cannot unscrew antennas) wireless router through which I run my ADSL access.
Click to expand...
I've YET to see one of these babies on which you can't change the antennas; that said, they ARE shrouded with that silly covering and can possibly slip (in your grip) which may lead you to that opinion. Maybe try gripping 'em really tightly or with pliers (after protecting the plastic of course) and try getting them loose that way?

... I have repositioned the router which has improved access a bit but not to an acceptable level. Changing the wireless channel has also not helped.
Click to expand...
Oh,you SO want new firmware there: one of the features that DD-WRT has is a 'site scan', which tells you if there are any other SSIDs in use around you, and on what channel ..dead handy, that!

My question is - will in help if I attach a signal extender to the router.
Click to expand...
Sure, whether you do it via wireless (in which case you'll be running WDS: simple but has a speed penalty) or via a CAT5 (now *not* WDS, but a wiring hassle AND looks fugly in those Linksys extenders with the way they're built ..and no penalty)

I have seen the linksys wireless router signal extender at Makro and was wondering if this would improve my access from various points around the house and outside or would the best bet be to install an ethernet cable through the ceiling (which I am not looking forward to).
Click to expand...
You mean THIS range extender ..hot DAMN that's expensive, specially for the limited feature set it has. Tell you what, check PM: maybe we can get this sorted for you...
 
Thanks to all the suggestions - loaded the DD-WRT firmware and am up and running with a much improved (excellent) wireless connection to the laptop. And, I was able to unscrew the antennas after having a 'good' look at the back of the router.
 
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