LinkSys Wireless AP range

[tantone]

I set up a LinkSys wireless AP--4-port switch--cable/dsl router at home last week, and I installed a WMP11 wireless PCI card in my Windows XP desktop.

Well, I only get a Very Good signal from the router which is only about 30 feet away separated by one wall with a closet (PC in the office--AP in the living room). Even my iPaq 5455 only gets a max of about 61% signal within 10 feet line-of-sight of the wireless AP when in the same room.

Is there some setting that I'm missing to boost the signal on the wireless AP? We have a couple AP's here at work (although different brands), and even then one with the single antenna provides a stronger signal than mine at home.

Any suggestions for me?

Thanks!!

[Midknyte]

what model is your AP? that would help.

even if it's only 30ft, the wall is interfering with your signal. not much you can do about the wall, but you could get a signal booster. I've heard that Linksys took it off the market, but I just saw them at Compusa the other day. Not too sure about your ipaq, since I never ran one of those.

Is the AP located near any wireless phones or other electronic devices? Put the AP up as high as possible.

You should also read this "Need To Know" article:
http://www17.tomshardware.com/network/20030502/index.html

[tantone]

Thanks! That's a pretty good article.

I've got a BEFW11S4 v3. Due to the limitations of where I can have a cable outlet, I've got the router out in the living room on the entertainment center (now on top of the TV to get it as high as possible).

You know, come to think of it, I heard that the router I bought can take a performance hit when 128bit WEP is enabled and set. For security, I have it enabled and use it on all my clients. Would that actually bring the signal down though? I thought it would only affect throughput. Also, no other 2.4GHz devices around anywhere.

One last question...what's the best way to test the real speed between my desktop and the AP?

[kwebb]

Would that actually bring the signal down though?

No.

what's the best way to test the real speed between my desktop and the AP?

Can't. Test from Client to client or client. FTP usually works best for me but you can use bandwidth meter software like Qcheck as well.