way OT: home router question

[maunahaole]

I'm looking to squeeze some more range and signal power out of my old Linksys home router. Specifically, I want to get more signal into two locations that are at opposite ends of the house. At one end, I need it just for plain old internet connectivity. At the other end, it needs help to keep a strong signal going to an airport that I use to stream music to my outdoor music system (airport hooked to inputs on old receiver w/ wired speakers). I'm considering a couple alternatives. First is to go with some high gain antennas. Second is to reflash the firmware with something (i.e. DD-WRT or Tomato) that will allow me to ramp up the output RF power on the router. Anybody done anything similar to this? Traps? Suggestions?

[false_aesthetic]

Back when people didn't password protect their wifi, i built a wifi antenna out of a spider (the cooking utensil), a USB wireless receiver and some other random stuff. I was able to pick up a full signal from 5 houses down.

so many movies downloaded.

Total cost was under $20.

[doctor855]

[Noteddy]

I had a similar problem. Moved the primary router to one end of the house. Added a wireless range extender at the other end of the house. Works slick. I'm sure there are better ones out now. I've been using this one for a few years.

[sonny]

i've used ddwrt and tomato on about a dozen linksys routers--tomato gets the nod for stability and ease of use/simple gui atmo. they're both way ahead of the stock firmwares. plus the appropriate machine (wrt54gl) can be had for cheap.
if your linksys is compatible, install one (not always straightforward), and you'll be amazed instantly. the other option i'd recommend (esp. for streaming) is something like a high zoot asus unit. greased lightning and plug and play. routers have come a long way in the past decade

[sonny]

save the antennas for your 6 mile bridge or a >5000sqft home atmo

edit: or poaching ;)