> Have you tried angling the antenna on the WRT54G horizontally so it
> better "illuminates" upwards? Have you considered using a higher gain
> directional antenna? A repeater will cut your network throughput in
> half.
>

I did try the Linksys "higher gain" antenna kit that is widely
available, and it made no difference whatsoever. However, I simply
positioned them in the same manner that I had / have the included
antennae positioned, which is straight up in the air perpendicular to
the router box. I will monkey around with the positioning of the
antennae in a bit.

> >A) what device would perform this function? would another wrt54g do the
> >trick?
>
> Any Linksys device with WDS. Depending on model of your WRT54G, 3rd
> party firmware can be a good option. See wikis below.
>
I've examined that option, and a friend helping me out informed me
that v5 of this router doesn't have any good third-party firmware out
there. I will look over the wikis though to verify.

> >B) The machine on the ground floor receives its signal via a linksys
> >WUSB54G. Does this device have any capability of performing this task?
> >My belief is that it doesn't, but I am not sure.
>
> It doesn't.
>

Didn't think so! thanks for clarifying.


> >For the sake of consistency, I'd prefer whatever device I use to be a
> >linksys device, but I'm not entirely opposed to looking at other
> >manufacturers.
>
> Stick with the same brand.
>
> A better solution for extending wireless is to install a remote wireless
> access point (same _unique_ SSID, different channel) connected by wire
> (Ethernet, powerline networking, phoneline networking, coax networking)
> to the original wireless access point.

Assuming that the positioning of such a device is crucial, this
solution would essentially involve drilling a hole through the basement
ceiling / main-level floor. I am not sure I am willing to do this.
>
> See wikis below

Thanks for all your advice. I will read around mess with the antenae
positioning and see how that goes.