Hacking WRT54GS Firmware

Ashok_2

I was speaking to a friend about increasing the signal on my WRT54GS so I can use it 2 floors up in my house (in a new extension)... Currently I get 0% signal, but after buying a Linksys Range Extender (putting it halfway) I could get about 50%...

But he said to me the best way to increase signal would be to use a hacked firmware such as HyperWRT (I know there are many others but he recommended this to me) which is simple to install, and would allow me to increase the antenna power (increasing the signal).

Apparently EU models are restricted to 28mW, whereas American ones are 50mW, but the full limit is 250mW (which would damage the router)... You can only change the power with the hacked firmware..

I was wondering:
a) does increasing the power leave a health risk?
b) how far could I go up without damaging the router?

Thanks

Browntoa

I assume this may be more to do with UK Laws rather than a health risk, reducing the likelyhood of interference between adjacent Wireless networks, our houses are closer together than in most of the USA

superscaper

Ashok wrote: »

I was wondering:
a) does increasing the power leave a health risk?
b) how far could I go up without damaging the router?

Thanks

The restriction isn't really to do with health as they are still quite low levels and there's no evidence of any health risks associated with those levels at those frequencies. The real reason of the power restriction is because of the legalities of broadcasting so you'd be at risk of breaking the law by trying to increase the power too high. Not sure offhand what the current limit is.

Ashok_2

So what would happen if I raised it.. would it effect radios/phones etc..?

How high can I increase signal without actually damaging my own router?

Thanks!

mjwalshe

Ashok wrote: »

So what would happen if I raised it.. would it effect radios/phones etc..?

How high can I increase signal without actually damaging my own router?

Thanks!

The limits are actualy on the radio plu antena gain from memory its 100mw in the uk but you can buy 200mw ones

using DDWRT which is a well cool upgrade (you have to get the right version of the wrt54g though)

I think from memory you can crank them up to about 78 mw before self noise starts to effect performance.

Linksys do do a replacment high gain antena set for the wrt54g might be worh thrying those first.

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1115416829416&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=2941639789B64

That gives you a 5db gain over the stock antenas