Beginners question (coverage and ap)

Probably been asked before but can't see it in the present listings..
We are trying to set up a small community wifi connection.
We are using DWL-900+ and DWL-2000 APs, first are the 2 compatible?
We have set up same SSID's and same ip range (10 range)
one set up as AP the other as client, if we do it locally, ie: where we can
speak to both with a wireless card, both will ping ok.
Just out of range we then increase the range with an external antenna and
this is where the problems start.
Using network stumbler I can identify each AP (if we set AP mode rather
client) this is from laptop to each AP.
BUT if we try and ping from a lan through a linked AP in client mode to an
external antenna, Nothing, where are we going wrong??
is there software similar to network stumbler for doing similar through a
lan-ap (network stumbler is looking for a wireless card)

Note that you can detect radio signals outside the range that they'll
be useful. For instance, the receiver in one wireless device might be
less sensitive than the one in the other: the other can hear the first
not vicey-versy.
That aside, there's been much discussion over at
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/dlink about the 900+ not actually
using the external antenna unless you drop back to an older version of
the firmware or, possibly, the newest.
Please let us know how this works out. I'm researching the possibility
of a resort in an inaccessible area in Canada providing access to its
rooms and the surrounding cabins and cottages.
-John
(E-Mail Removed)

"les" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:<(E-Mail Removed)>...
> Probably been asked before but can't see it in the present listings..
> We are trying to set up a small community wifi connection.
> We are using DWL-900+ and DWL-2000 APs, first are the 2 compatible?
> We have set up same SSID's and same ip range (10 range)
> one set up as AP the other as client, if we do it locally, ie: where we can
> speak to both with a wireless card, both will ping ok.
> Just out of range we then increase the range with an external antenna and
> this is where the problems start.
> Using network stumbler I can identify each AP (if we set AP mode rather
> client) this is from laptop to each AP.
> BUT if we try and ping from a lan through a linked AP in client mode to an
> external antenna, Nothing, where are we going wrong??
> is there software similar to network stumbler for doing similar through a
> lan-ap (network stumbler is looking for a wireless card)