How do I strengthen signal with Linksys WRT54GS router?

[carlitos]

Well I got the Linksys WRT54GS a couple of weeks ago, I used to have adsl before I got cable installed and had a belkin router, now after the rave reviews I read on here about the linksys I thought the signal strength would be very strong (especialliy consdering it came with "speed booster") but it just the same as the belkin.

The house is 2 storeys an I thought upstairs I would be able to get a connection continuiosly without being cut of (distance really isnt that big) the walls are thick maybe this could be an issue or maybe Ive not configuered it right,but how can I get a very strong signal without being cut of when using it upstairs?

thanks

[Gareth]

The Speedbooster isn't anything to do with signal strength, it's a compression technology that is intended to improve on the bog-standard throughput speed of 802.11g and offer an increase of 35%-40% over 802.11g (at least theoretically that's what it's supposed to do ).

However, in order for your router to use it, your Wireless NIC or USB adapter needs to be a compatible model, such as the WPC54GS.

Saying that, if you changed the firmware on the router to use dd-wrt, you can increase the strength of your signal by playing around with the Transmit Power Adjustment settings of the router, and can increase the power from the default 28mW. The dd-wrt forums suggest going up to 100mW is harmless but should increase your signal strength.

If you eliminate configuration issues, this might be something to consider.

[Nikesh]

I would recommend you upgrade the firmware to DD-WRT if you want to increase the signal. It's well worth it, I upgraded my Linksys WRT54G to DD-WRT and I could never go back to the default firmware now.

[carlitos]

where do i get dd wrt and does it void the warranty?

[Gareth]

Originally Posted by carlitos

where do i get dd wrt and does it void the warranty?

http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/index.php

Erm, yeah it will void your warranty, but if it breaks just stick the original Linksys firmware on it and send it back

[Nikesh]

Yeah, it does void the warranty but it's well worth it.

And as Gareth says you can always stick the original firmware back on it if you have any problems.

[popper]

while the firmware update is a good thing if your tech inclinded you can also go the other route and as its a weak signal your needing to boost then these
[img]Download Failed (1)[/img]
http://www.maplin.co.uk/search.aspx?...u=y&doy=search
work really well, although its hard to get maplins to stock the low loss cable and connectors or pre-made is a pain if you want to extend them past the 9inch of cable already attached.

assuming you/they have a detachable arial connection then these or something like them should do you real good.

i get around 20 foot more indoor coverage at the same signal strengh or around 87% SNR with one of these.

at one or two bars , id expect a massive increase if you position them right , rememeber its a directional arial.
the higher the dBi the better it is...

if you dont like the looks of that one theres more to choose from.

a direction arial does this

http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/Full/a19ft.jpg

im playing with 2 USB wireless cards and some old sky dishs to get a long distance directional 11G network going, great fun.

that 100mW (or rather just below it to be safe) would be very useful for getting the router distance, did anyone find any useable MESH software to install in these routers BTW?.

[Delta Whiskey]

You could make your own in best Blue Peter tradition:

Ez-12 Parabolic Reflector Template
http://www.freeantennas.com/projects...te2/index.html

DW

[carlitos]

thanks for all the help.

whats the chances of the DD-WRT software breaking the router?

---------- Post added at 02:27 ---------- Previous post was at 02:24 ----------

a lot of software on that site is this right one Ive downloaded "whrag108-firmware.bin" ?

[Druchii]

Originally Posted by carlitos

thanks for all the help.

whats the chances of the DD-WRT software breaking the router?

---------- Post added at 02:27 ---------- Previous post was at 02:24 ----------

a lot of software on that site is this right one Ive downloaded "whrag108-firmware.bin" ?

Probably not.

A good idea is to search the FA there, look for the version of your WRT54GS and follow the guide there will be.

[EssDee]

Have a look here also

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php...er_Information

http://www.wrtrouters.com/router/wrt54gs/

Cheers