Hi there, If your repeater is in the same room, you should be getting the max connect rate to it, as in 54Mbps. You have said that you have been getting connect rates of 11, 6, 2 and 1 Mbps. 802.11b supports speeds of 11, 5.5, 2 and 1 Mbps and 802.11g supports 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9 and 6, if you jumping from 6 to 11 then it is jumping between 802.11b and g modulation. This can be caused by interference from other devices like microwave ovens, 2.4Ghz cordless phones and blue tooth devices etc, or someone in another flat with a 802.11b device. I would force your repeater and laptop into 802.11b mode to see if that helps. If you know someone in the university who get their hands on a spectrum analyser and come and take some readings you may be able to find the source of the interference.

Good luck

Dale