Extension Cables?

A friend of mine had someone install a Linksys WRT54G router in her
basement home office, and then install a Linksys G PCI adapter in a PC
in a first floor bedroom. Straight line distance between the router
and the PC is probably less than 20 feet, but the PC is getting such
low signal levels that the connection barely works. I downloaded the
user's guide for the PCI adapter, to see if I could detach the antenna
and move it out from behind the PC with an extension cable. Nothing in
the manual on this. Does anyone know if this card CAN be modified this
way? If not, what else could I try, to improve the signal strength?
John Jones, Detroit

"John Jones" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> A friend of mine had someone install a Linksys WRT54G router in her
> basement home office, and then install a Linksys G PCI adapter in a PC
> in a first floor bedroom. Straight line distance between the router
> and the PC is probably less than 20 feet, but the PC is getting such
> low signal levels that the connection barely works. I downloaded the
> user's guide for the PCI adapter, to see if I could detach the antenna
> and move it out from behind the PC with an extension cable. Nothing in
> the manual on this. Does anyone know if this card CAN be modified this
> way? If not, what else could I try, to improve the signal strength?
> John Jones, Detroit


Good morning, John:

I have the same issue except my router is 250' away. Here are the
things I did to get it working:

1) Replace the router's antennas with the Linksys 7dbi gain antennas and
do the same on the PC card (if you can).

2) Tell both radios to stop using automatic speed controls. I was running
54mbps on both ends and I couldn't get a connect. I told my WRT54G
to throttle back to 5.5mbps and I did the same on my laptop. Bingo!

When you think about it, it doesn't make much sense to run 54mbps when
my cable modem is running 5mbps. The only advantage using the faster rate
is when you are transferring large files (like a movie, etc.) between your
in house computers.

Here is a link for the antennas on eBay:

http://search.ebay.com/linksys-7db_W0QQfromZR40

One more thing - I wouldn't try using an extension cable - at 2.4ghz,
cable losses are very high and even after 5 feet (with some cables),
you'd see less signal than if you simply upgraded the antennas at the
back of the router and PC card.

Hope that helps!

Ken

73's de Ken KG0WX - Kadiddlehopper #11808,
Flying Pigs #-1055, Grid EM17io, FT-857D,
Elecraft XG2, 4SQRP Tenna Dipper, Heath GD-1B

On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 07:31:59 -0600, "Ken Bessler"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>1) Replace the router's antennas with the Linksys 7dbi gain antennas and
> do the same on the PC card (if you can).

If I can't replace the antenna on the PCI card, what make and model
adapter are you using (since you COULD replace the antenna on it)? The
reason I was thinking about an extension cable is that the PC itself
is oriented so the wireless antenna is "shielded" by the PC's case
from the router. and the PC can't be turned enough to get out of the
antenna's "way".

I'll definitely look into the "throttling" you suggested, too.
John Jones, Detroit

"John Jones" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 07:31:59 -0600, "Ken Bessler"
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> >1) Replace the router's antennas with the Linksys 7dbi gain antennas and
> > do the same on the PC card (if you can).
>
> If I can't replace the antenna on the PCI card, what make and model
> adapter are you using (since you COULD replace the antenna on it)? The
> reason I was thinking about an extension cable is that the PC itself
> is oriented so the wireless antenna is "shielded" by the PC's case
> from the router. and the PC can't be turned enough to get out of the
> antenna's "way".
>
> I'll definitely look into the "throttling" you suggested, too.
> John Jones, Detroit


Well, my situation is that I'm using a laptop - I'm running an Atheros
internal (miniPCI) card. I bought a 36" coax cable with U.FL connectors
on each end (very tiny - about twice the size of a pinhead). I cut the
cable in half, attached the connector ends to the Atheros card and
snaked the 2 micro (1.37mm diameter) coaxes out the back and up
behind the screen. I then soldered the coax ends directly to the
Linksys antennas and glued the base of the antennas to the top/rear
of my screen. I secured the coaxes to the back of the screen with
"Gorilla Tape" (fantastic stuff). I can fold the antennas neatly behind
the screen or adjust them like TV "rabbit ears".

My point is that if you want to use coax, you really must get a better
antenna first otherwise the losses from the coax will make your situation
worse.

Oh, yes - one other thing - I don't know if the stock firmware in your
router will let you adjust the speed like I suggested. If not, then I
strongly recommend DD-WRT:

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php...D-WRT_Docu_(EN)

That will replace your OEM software with a much better one - It's
like comparing a VW bug to a Hummer. And, it's free.

Good luck!

Ken

Ken Bessler wrote:
> http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php...D-WRT_Docu_(EN)
>
> That will replace your OEM software with a much better one - It's
> like comparing a VW bug to a Hummer. And, it's free.

www.linksysinfo.com has the info on version 5 WRT54G units that do
not use a Linux OS. If its an older Linksys, 3rd party firmware
will work, or buy a new Linksys WRT54GL which was released with
Linux.

"decaturtxcowboy" <nope_none_@nowayspam.com> wrote in message
news:6H65h.24376$(E-Mail Removed). com...
> Ken Bessler wrote:
> > http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php...D-WRT_Docu_(EN)
> >
> > That will replace your OEM software with a much better one - It's
> > like comparing a VW bug to a Hummer. And, it's free.
>
> www.linksysinfo.com has the info on version 5 WRT54G units that do
> not use a Linux OS. If its an older Linksys, 3rd party firmware
> will work, or buy a new Linksys WRT54GL which was released with
> Linux.

Excellent point - I forgot how I bought a V5 then sold it and grabbed
a V4 router.....

Ken

I think that you are on the right track. Get your antenna out from
behind that shield. Raise it up a bit. What you want is a short cable
and 5dbi or better antenna. You are probably ok with a directional
which naturally gives more gain.

I see extension antennas at the electronics stores all the time. Try
Fry's, best buy, comp usa etc. Or ebay. Some give more.

You need the reverse TNC for that Linksys or some come with an adapter
to make it fit. $25 or less should do it.

Also, linksys sells an antenna extension kit with a base. You could
buy that and then put the existing antennas on it to see. Also

I have been fixing the wireless in relatives' houses found that raising
the antenna or router and throttling down the speed to say 11, helped
the strength makes a lot of difference.