Single Access Point, Extending Range

Hello! I'm searching for the best option for a non-technical friend
to extend the range of their wireless network. I've found many
related posts/threads herein, but am still a bit uncertain given the
information/responses in them, so I'm asking for the first time
myself, and with a 'clean slate'.

Their configuration consists of a wireless router/access point in
their home, (a Linksys WRT54G specifically, with 128bit WEP) and it's
definitely quite sufficient within the home by itself (good signal
everywhere within the house and immediately outside).

However, there is a 'barn' which is used as an office, about 100 feet
from where the 54G is located in the house, and when the wireless
laptops are used out there (using Belkin pcmcia cards), the signal
strength is fair at best (and 'fair' only when direct line of site
from a barn window to the window in the house where the WAP is), but
when the laptop in the barn is moved away from a window, farther back
into a corner in the barn for example, the signal degrades to a point
where it either drops entirely or is very 'poor'.

Okay, I've seen posts in here suggesting that the best way to 'extend'
a wireless network to distant wireless clients is to setup multiple
access points connected to a central hub or switch, and I agree that
would likely be the best possible approach at a reasonable cost given
the good results it would have, however no such luxury here because
the 'barn' has no cabling option back to the house (very much isolated
from the house).

Overall, what configuration would you recommend in this case/scenario?
I'm leaning toward replacing the 54G's factory antennae with either
an omni-directional or directional antenna product, but I'm certainly
considering all options, including a wireless repeater perhaps.
Thanks!

James

On 24 May 2004 12:47:25 -0700, J. Ford wrote:

> Overall, what configuration would you recommend in this case/scenario?
> I'm leaning toward replacing the 54G's factory antennae with either
> an omni-directional or directional antenna product,

My choice. Since the Linksys allows diversity operation you can put a
directional antenna pointed at the barn on one antenna jack, and leave the
origonal antenna on the other one for operation in the house.

(E-Mail Removed) (J. Ford) wrote in message news:<(E-Mail Removed). com>...
> Hello! I'm searching for the best option for a non-technical friend
> to extend the range of their wireless network. I've found many
> related posts/threads herein, but am still a bit uncertain given the
> information/responses in them, so I'm asking for the first time
> myself, and with a 'clean slate'.
>
> Their configuration consists of a wireless router/access point in
> their home, (a Linksys WRT54G specifically, with 128bit WEP) and it's
> definitely quite sufficient within the home by itself (good signal
> everywhere within the house and immediately outside).
>
> However, there is a 'barn' which is used as an office, about 100 feet
> from where the 54G is located in the house, and when the wireless
> laptops are used out there (using Belkin pcmcia cards), the signal
> strength is fair at best (and 'fair' only when direct line of site
> from a barn window to the window in the house where the WAP is), but
> when the laptop in the barn is moved away from a window, farther back
> into a corner in the barn for example, the signal degrades to a point
> where it either drops entirely or is very 'poor'.
>
> Okay, I've seen posts in here suggesting that the best way to 'extend'
> a wireless network to distant wireless clients is to setup multiple
> access points connected to a central hub or switch, and I agree that
> would likely be the best possible approach at a reasonable cost given
> the good results it would have, however no such luxury here because
> the 'barn' has no cabling option back to the house (very much isolated
> from the house).
>
> Overall, what configuration would you recommend in this case/scenario?
> I'm leaning toward replacing the 54G's factory antennae with either
> an omni-directional or directional antenna product, but I'm certainly
> considering all options, including a wireless repeater perhaps.
> Thanks!
>
> James

I have been doing alot of research on this particular subject since I
need to extend access to my wireless LAN to a house across the street.
I would suggest connecting a Linksys WAP11 in bridged mode to one of
the ports on the router via CAT5. Place the WAP11 in the far corner of
the house towards the Barn. If that doesnt work you could always place
the WAP11 near a window and use of the the directional antennas
http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/re09p.php pointed towards the barn
that should do the trick. I just ordered a similiar antenna off of
e-bay and will post how it works next week.

Lonnie