Linksys WET11 v1 vs. v2??

All,

I have a BEFW11S4 access point on one side of the house, and a WET11 bridge
on the other side to connect a bunch of systems in that room with internet
connection (cable modem hooked into the BEFW11S4). This has been working
great for about a year. It is a version 1 of the WET11 with firmware
1.5.4. Distance is far but signal strength is adequate for my needs (about
35% signal strength).

I recently got another WET11 and wanted to use it for a different room, a
little closer than the other one. This WET11 is version 2 (WET11 v2) with
firmware 2.06. I configured it normally, placed it in the room, and it was
unable to initiate or sustain the WLAN connection, even though it is closer
(less walls to travel through also) to the AP! I then put the new v2 WET11
about 2 feet from the AP and signal strength was only 46%!!! What gives?
Is the v2's range seriously comprimised vs. the v1? How can I only get 46%
when it is right next to it? As soon as the WET11 gets about, oh, 20 feet
from the AP, it ceases to be able to maintain a WLAN connection. I tried
all the following so far:

1. Change infrastructure channels on the AP

2. Toggle broadcast of the SSID on the AP

3. Unplug the other (older) WET11

4. Change "AP density" setting on the old WET11 to low from high

5. Turn off all other electronics in the house (including microwaves and
2.4ghz telephones)

6. Enable/disable WAP (I normally use it)

Nothing seems to work. Might as well buy a 20 ft. CAT5 cable, sure
is cheaper than a crappy WET11.

Any other ideas? Is there some kind of hack to turbocharge the
new v2 WET11's? Is this kind of crappy performance common?

AHIGA,
cj