Rick KK6PZA has done some extensive research on attaching external antennas to the Linksys Routers which can add pretty high gain to those household devices. A 2.4Ghz Antenna Analyzer and any RP-TNC low loss wire or adapters will probably be very helpful if anyone knows of anything like that please let us know!
Here is a ton of great information from people in Washington that have already setup Linksys WRT54G Routers for Longer range Links. The Sections on Feed lines, Antennas, and Adapters are particularly interesting.
Full Page LINKED here:
http://www.stargazing.net/david/sdr/Hamnet.html
Key Info from that page:
"At 2.4 GHz it is important to use the correct coaxial cables and connectors to prevent signal loss.
Coax recommendations.
LMR-400 for out door antenna connections and for lengths over 3 feet
Times Microwave Systems LMR-400 Flexible Low Loss Communications Coax cable specifications. LMR-400 30 Inch N Male Connectors Coax cable (maximum cable assembly loss 0.3 dB).
LMR-400 15 Feet N Male Connectors Coax cable (maximum cable assembly loss 1.2 dB) "
" Coax connector recommendations:
N connector for frequencies up to 11 GHz for out door antenna connections.
SMA connector for frequencies up to 18 GHz for interconnection equipment short distances (1 meter or less). UHF filters and amplifiers use SMA connectors. Do not use out doors in the weather.
BNC connectors are good up to 4 GHz and are common on test equipment.
RP-TNC connectors is used on the WRT54GS V2.2 router and not used any wear else. RP-TNC connectors are good up to 11 GHz.
Do not use UHF (PL-259 or SO239) connectors which are only good up to 100 MHz.
RP-TNC male connectors are needed to attach to the Linksys WRT54GS v1, v1.1 and v2 RP-TNC female antenna connectors.
RP-TNC male to N female adapter.
RP-TNC male to RP-SMA female adapter.
RP-TNC male to SMA female adapter.
One of their Tests (I really like the connectors, antennas and amplifier <$50> they used:
TX station, router is on one tripod and antenna is on another tripod.
Linksys WRT54GS router using only right antenna at 79 mW.
8W 2.4Ghz Wifi Broadband Amplifier Extender Router Power Range Signal Booster
With 79 mW input and 17 dB gain the outputs is ~4 W and not 8 W.
Yagi Antenna, N Type Female Connector. TX router is 62 inches above the ground. Only the WRT54GS right antenna is used.
RX station showing high dish horizontal polarity connected to router behind dish.
Linksys WRT54GS router.
Antenna World G2424 Directional Range Booster WIFI Parabolic Grid Antenna.
Laptop connect to WRT54GS with LAN cable.
DD-WRT Site Survey shows RSSI.
RX antenna is 60 inches above the ground.
Only the WRT54GS right antenna is used.