What is the easiest and least expensive way to extend the range of a
Wi-Fi (802.11g) network?

We have a Linksys router on our 3rd floor - signal on 2nd floor is
limited, and non-existent on 1st floor.  Moving the router is not an
option, and I want to limit spend. What is the best way to
extend/boost/repeat signal?

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Request for Question Clarification by tar_heel_v-ga on 22 Oct 2004 06:01 PDT

When you say "limit spend" what is the limit you are willing to invest
to improve your signal?

-THV

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Clarification of Question by ericr1-ga on 23 Oct 2004 11:24 PDT

If I could get strong signal all the way to the ground floor (2 floors
down), I would be willing to invest another $50-100.  Obviously the
less, the better.  And if no other alternative, I might be willing to
go a bit higher.
The problem is that our two highest use computers are literally in
separate wings, 2 floors apart, in a 4500sqft house.

Thanks, THV.

ER

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Request for Question Clarification by tar_heel_v-ga on 23 Oct 2004 11:32 PDT

eric..

Visit http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=38&prid=629
as I am confident this will meet your needs.  This is a Linksys
repeater that will "bounce" the signal for you.  My recommendation
would be to place it as close the the stairs or other open area from
the third floor to the second floor.  This should increase the signal
dramatically to the 2nd floor.  As for the first floor, I can't speak
to the quality you will receive, though there may be an option to
place a second repeater towards the first floor as well, but you will
receive signal degradation by repeating the signal twice.

You can see various pricing options for the WRE54G at
://www.google.com/froogle?hl=en&tab=wf&q=%20%20WRE54G

-THV

Hi ER,

In your situation, it sounds like your options include:
Buying a repeater, and placing it near the edge of your range.
Buying a new antenna.

I will deal with the second here, as the first is fairly straightforward.
When it comes to increasing your wireless range using a new antenna,
there are two types that are commonly used:

Omni-Directional, such as the following:
http://www.radiolabs.com/products/antennas/2.4gig/8dbomni.php
http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/hg2409u.php

Directional (Yagi), such as the following
http://www.pcconnection.com/ProductDetail?sku=5279215&SourceID=k22350
http://www.cantenna.com/

Either of these can be bought or built, and I believe will hook up
easily to your linksys router. The cantenna site has a list of
supported parts on this page:
http://www.cantenna.com/catalogue/SCB10.html

From your situation, it sounds like a directional antenna would be
ideal, since you are connecting two computers, so a straight line
would be most efficient.
Once you have an antenna, you can experiment to figure out the ideal
position for it. If possible, you should obtain a laptop that has WiFi
and use a program such as netstumbler(http://www.netstumbler.com/) to
assess the strong and weak points of WiFi in your house. The number,
thickness, and material of walls can play a significant factor in
determining signal strength. There don't seem to be any strict
guidelines, but I've found that sometimes moving from one room to the
next can drop a signal from excellent to barely there.

If you are interested in building your own, here's instructions for a
directional antenna:

http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html

And here's instructions for an OmniDirectional antenna

http://flakey.info/antenna/omni/quarter/

I hope this helps, and that your wireless woes are a thing of the past.

Take care,

Passive

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=418931#a

dear Sir,
         As you already have a linksys wireless router, my
recommendation is to buy a Netgear WGXB102 wireless kit. It is a combo
of two Powerline products. One is a XE102 and WGX102 802.11g Wireless
Access Point which can also be used a wireless access point/router.
You can continue to use the linksys wireless router as your
main router, Use the Netgear WGX102 as a access point. Connect the
XE102 with the linksys router using a ethernet cable and connect the
xe102 to power socket. Go to Second floor and connect the WGX102
(close to the stairs) or connect the WGX102 at the first floor with
power socket and it will give you good signal strength at most of the
first floor and second floor. I would also recommend you to buy a
WG511 wireless card for
the laptop and it has a backward compatibility with 802.11b wireless
networks. Make sure that you should have a same power socket
throughout your home.

Access the following link to view the features of WGXB102

http://www.netgear.com/products/details/WGXB102.php

This will the most cost effective (close to 100 dollars) and custom
built solution for your problem.

Regards

Techie guy