>
>> Tim Wescott wrote:
>>
>>> I recently replaced my wireless router with another of the same make
>>> and model (Linksys WRT54G). In spite of the fact that it's 'the same',
>>> it seems to put out less power than the last one.
>>>
>>> The current one works fine in the house, but I run my business out of a
>>> detached garage, and the access point out there can't quite see the
>>> router. I've solved this problem before with clever antenna placement,
>>> and for a while by using an external antenna.
>>>
>>> But the access point I have (a Linksys WET11), aside from being
>>> 802.11b, also doesn't sport a signal strength indicator, which I need
>>> to really assess what's going on with the antenna setup.
>>>
>>> Does anyone have any suggestions for an access point that has a signal
>>> strength indicator? It doesn't have to be external -- if the thing has
>>> a means of getting to it via Ethernet to query the signal strength that
>>> would be fine. I just need a way of checking to see what good any
>>> antenna shenanigans I'm playing may be doing.
>>>
>>> Your suggestions are welcome, thanks.
>>
>>
>> I made the basic indicator of the field strength (diode + peak detector
>> + meter) and discovered that the actual transmit power is very different
>> for the different WiFi devices. No wonder that the devices with the
>> higher power are working better.
>>
>> In short: dLink sucks, 2Wire rules, Belkin and LinkSys mediocre.
>>
>>
>> Vladimir Vassilevsky
>> DSP and Mixed Signal Design Consultant
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>
>I considered that, but unless the receivers suck big time that's not
>going to help me on the receive end, which is where I really need it --
>the underlying technical problem is that the RF has to get through a 8
>inch thick concrete wall, then to an access point that's inside a metal
>building with some inconveniently located windows.
>
>I had used a Cantenna before, which was great until it corroded, but even
>then pointing it was b'guess and b'gosh.
Can't you use netstumbler?
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. I havent used it in years, but ISTR it does s/n ratios etc
this may be of interest
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martin