Improving wireless connection strength between 2 routers

[BG4533]

On the first floor of my house I have a cable modem with a Linksys WRT54G running Tomato firmware. On the third floor of my house I have a Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 also running Tomato. The Buffalo connects to the Linksys as a client and distributes internet via the LAN ports. Throughout the house multiple wireless devices connect to the Linksys.

I setup the Buffalo router to connect to the Linksys like this for a few reasons:
1. I now have multiple PCs on the third floor that do not have wireless cards. One that does can't maintain a connection and a laptop has a weak connection.
2. I want to connect the third floor PCs together in a manner that is faster and higher speed than wireless can offer.
3. The house is a rental and running CAT5 is impractical.

The Buffalo router is able to maintain a connection to the Linksys better than regular wireless cards have been able to, but the connection is still weaker and slower than I'd prefer. I'm evaluating what options are available to improve this connection.

My thoughts:
1. Replace the Linksys WRT54G with a higher power device (Another buffalo?)
2. Replace the antenna on the current Buffalo with a directional antenna.

What are your thoughts on this? If you recommend a new router or antenna recommendations for hardware would be helpful.

Thanks!

 

[JackMDS]

You might get netter results if you put the Buffalo as the main Router with a directional Antenna pointing to where the second Router (Linksys) would be.

Better source signal is always better than trying to "amply". a weak noisy signal.

 

[BG4533]

My concern with putting a directional antenna on the main router is that wireless users on the first and second floor may be negatively affected.

I just ordered a Hawking HA12W directional antenna (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833995007). I also ordered another Buffalo router to replace the Linksys. I need to get this working soon and don't have a lot of time to fuss with it right now. I'll post my results next week.

 

[Hopeless]

I was going to say you might want to get another Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 as they have a built in amplifier for the signal. About the best analogy I can think of is your current buffalo is screaming at the linksys but the linksys is only quietly talking back.

It would appear I'm a little too late, but the egg has it on sale for less than the cost of that antenna.