Boosting Wireless Router signal to a Wireless Print Server

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geek4me

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#27928 11-Nov-2008 18:44

I have a Linksys WRP400 wireless broadband router with 2 phone ports and a Linksys WPS54G wireless Print Server. Unfortunately the signal is too weak to detect the wireless Print Server 20 metres away at the other end of the house. (Works okay when they are close together.)

Linksys Help Desk told me the WRE54G Range Expander is not suitable for extending the range as it will only give a 50% signal boost compared to the WAP54G wireless access point.

Can any of you wireless geeks out there comment on or recommend the best way to boost the signal between a WRP400 Router and a WPS54G Print server? Do you use either device (or some other way) to boost signal strength? I hope I can get the remote printer to work.

raytaylor

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#177420 11-Nov-2008 21:21

Are the antennas detachable?
If they are, then put a larger antenna on both the access point and the print server. Trademe usually has antennas of 5dbi or 7dbi listed.

Ray Taylor

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geek4me

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#177512 12-Nov-2008 10:21

raytaylor: Are the antennas detachable?

No unfortunately they are not on the WRP400 Router. I had looked into this option already. Routers with phone lines do not have detachable antennas and worse still, their signal strength is weaker than non-phone line routers.

rphenix

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#178906 19-Nov-2008 19:36

if your happy to void your warranty, you can easily solder a tnc connector onto the router if your handy with a soldering iron.

Or get someone you know who is to do it.

raytaylor

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#181866 3-Dec-2008 20:04

geek4me:
raytaylor: Are the antennas detachable?

No unfortunately they are not on the WRP400 Router. I had looked into this option already. Routers with phone lines do not have detachable antennas and worse still, their signal strength is weaker than non-phone line routers.

Hmmm I am sure the linksys series all had detachable ones a couple of years ago.

Anyhow the range extender is probably worth a try. Buy it from Dick Smith because you can return it if it doesnt work. Place it in a room or in your roof space between the router and the print server after configuring it.

Ray Taylor

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