Tsharp
@attbi.com
|  [wireless] WRT54G Range Problems
I have a wireless network set up primarily to share my Cable connection throughout my house (802.11g on a WRT54G router). However, I have computers at opposite ends of the house and frequently run into range problems when trying to connect. I have checked into this problem thoroughly and have assured that range is the source of my frequent disconnects. I'm now wondering what my options are. What, if any, products can help solve this problem I'm having? Or is there something that I can do to my network to gain some extra range? I have a setup as follows:
The computer with the router is in an office built into the back of my garage. The signal goes through the wall into my house, through my kitchen to the first computer, through two more walls that are very close together. The second computer is directly above the first, with a doorway that opens to my entryway, only going through one wall other than the ceiling and garage wall to reach the router. The approximate distance to the router from each computer is 50 ft.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
-Tsharp |
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montee4
Premium
join:2004-02-15
Chicago, IL
| One option is to get a WAP54G. There is new firmware out there on the Linksys website that lets you have a WAP54G act as a repeater for the WRT54G.
So put a WAP54G near the end of the WRT54G wireless range and it will extend it out farther to talk to your other computer.
I have this setup at my home and it works pretty well, the only drawback to this is if you have a wireless client in the middle of the WAP54G and WRT54G, it sometimes gets confused at who to talk to and sometimes drops the connection, but I dion't think you will have this problem according to your setup. |
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Junket
@ucsf.edu
| reply to Tsharp
One possibility would be to install Wifi's hacked firmware which can be used to adjust the transmission power of the router. You can find it here: »wrt54g.sonycrx2xx.org/. I've been using the 2.02.2.1pre-wfb which has the transmission power adjustment under the advanced wireless settings webpage. The firmware is very stable and can be uploaded to the router like any other firmware update. Just make sure that after you update the router to hold the reset button on the back for about 20 seconds. Boosting the transmission power has the theoretical possibility of frying the router due to increased heat, but to my knowledge almost no one has experienced this problem. Hope this helps. |
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cableb4me
join:2002-03-09
Dunlap, IL
| Has anyone been able to "pump up" the power while still being able to use the latest linksys firmware.
Is it possible to flash my router with hacked firmware, then bump the power, then flash it back with the linksys firmware? Would it keep the new power setting? |
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Shootist
Premium
join:2003-02-10
Decatur, GA
| said by cableb4me  :
Has anyone been able to "pump up" the power while still being able to use the latest linksys firmware.
Is it possible to flash my router with hacked firmware, then bump the power, then flash it back with the linksys firmware? Would it keep the new power setting?
No that won't work. What is the problem using the hacked firmware all the time? It's more stable than the Linksys version and has more functions along with the power boost.
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Are You Ready--Stand By BEEP ******** |
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cableb4me
join:2002-03-09
Dunlap, IL | As a security analyst by trade, I mistrust hackers. How do I know what back doors they would put into my router? |
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Shootist
Premium
join:2003-02-10
Decatur, GA
| If you are that suspicious of this firmware you can download the source code and review it. It's based on Linux and is open and must be made available to the general public. Which it is.
--
Are You Ready--Stand By BEEP ******** |
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cableb4me
join:2002-03-09
Dunlap, IL | I'm not a code reviewer. I wouldn't know what I'm looking at. I wonder why Linksys won't just let you adjust the power. The FCC legally allows up to 100mw for indoor use. |
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SlimyPizza1
join:2002-12-28
Roswell, GA
| reply to Shootist
said by Shootist :
No that won't work. What is the problem using the hacked firmware all the time? It's more stable than the Linksys version and has more functions along with the power boost.
What do you mean more stable? I've had no indications of instability with the stock Linksys firmware. |
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bznotins
join:2003-01-03
Houston, TX
| reply to cableb4me
said by cableb4me :
I'm not a code reviewer. I wouldn't know what I'm looking at. I wonder why Linksys won't just let you adjust the power. The FCC legally allows up to 100mw for indoor use.
But because the firmware is totally open, there are people that look at it to determine if anything fishy is going on.
People have been using these custom firmwares for quite some time with no complaints. In fact, most people rave about the firmware! |
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qworster
join:2001-11-25
Los Angeles, CA
 ·Brand X Internet
 ·RoadRunner Cable
 ·Vonage
·DSL EXTREME
·EarthLink
edit:
February 28th, @12:36AM
| reply to Tsharp
Radio Shack 5 Db gain antennas
Radio Shack sells 5 Db gain antennas for this unit. They cost 30 bucks for the pair and are available at most stores. Make sure you get the proper ones...they also sell them for D-Link products. The stock antennas have only 2 Db gain.
I run a pair of these and the Sveasoft firmware. Power is set at 70 Mw output. I'm able to get into my network from all over the neighborhood using a Belkin USB adaptor for a client. |
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mjx
join:2003-11-09
Australia
| reply to Tsharp
Re: [wireless] WRT54G Range Problems
I believe using a repeater would reduce the network speed for your wlan. The hacked firmware's increased tx speed is a good and free solution available. On the other hand, you could get any external antenna, or make your own cantenna, to boost your range.
If you can afford it, you could try the signal booster by Linksys (although they won't be too happy if you do that). The only catch is that you will lose the benefits of diversity. |
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TheHondaMan
join:2001-03-23
Milwaukee, WI
| reply to Tsharp
TheHondaMan's take on signal boosting / range
First, the firmware is not "hacked" it is modified. The power gain used to be part of the stock Linksys firmware, until they realized a significant portion of their user base was using the power hack. Since then, they have removed it from their newer releases of the firmware. What WiFi box's firmware does is put the code back into the firmware for the power boost. He does not install any back doors or anything like that. I trust WiFi's firmware because it is stable, adds features, and the power hack.
Radio Shack's antennas are a waste of $30. Give me the $30 before you go to them for the antennas.
Finally, if you refuse to use some of the best firmware in the industry (Powered by WiFi box) then go with a D-Link DI-624. Its range is significantly better than Linksys' even with the power hack. Not to mention the wireless transfer speeds are notably faster. The firewall is also very comprehensive. With the new 2.37 firmware, I can now officially put my seal of approval and recommendation on it.
When comparing the DI-624 and WRT54G, the DI-624 comes out on top because it is less expensive and has greater signal coverage. With the latest firmware the D-Link is now by far the more solid product, and again, the price difference along with the $20 mail in rebate is sure sweet.
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The Power of Dreams. Powered by Honda |
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cableb4me
join:2002-03-09
Dunlap, IL
| Just FYI.. This worked: 
Is it possible to flash my router with hacked firmware, then bump the power, then flash it back with the linksys firmware? Would it keep the new power setting? |
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Shootist
Premium
join:2003-02-10
Decatur, GA | NO |
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cableb4me
join:2002-03-09
Dunlap, IL | reply to Tsharp
Re: [wireless] WRT54G Range Problems
Sorry, I should have rephrased that better. I tried it. It worked!!! |
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Shootist
Premium
join:2003-02-10
Decatur, GA
| The power boost is tied to the firmware. Once you load the stock firmware you loose the power boost and there is no way to enable it again with the stock firmware. If you think you have retained the power boost how are measuring it.
--
Are You Ready--Stand By BEEP ******** |
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cableb4me
join:2002-03-09
Dunlap, IL
| With this... I can tell I won't convince you. Try it yourself. |
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cableb4me
join:2002-03-09
Dunlap, IL | I agree the ability to change it tied to the firmware but the settings are written to the eprom or whatever writable memory storage these things have. |
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ncgringo
join:2004-02-25
Charlotte, NC | reply to Tsharp
I have upgraded to the WIFI firmware. When i change the transmission rate to 54 do i have to hold the reset button on the back the router? And if so, why? |
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