Are you sure that you can't re-position your pc? Sounds like it's
close to working.

How is the pc's antenna pointing? In most circumstances you want it
pointing up. It probably has a "doughnut" shaped pickup pattern and
if it has the antenna tip rotated and pointing AT the router/access
point, then it would actually be in the dead spot. Seems
counter-intuitive, but imagine it has a doughnut on a skewer and make
sure you are not pointing the "hole" at your source.

Also, there are designs for simple reflectors you can make that help
reception. Google for "EZ-10 reflector"

If you can't make the current antenna work, then an external antenna,
as posted above, seems like what you want. Probably doesn't need much
gain or directionality (depending on cable loss). Mostly you are
just moving the antenna away from the back of the pc.

Two cautions:
1) Make sure that the antenna connector you buy matches your PCI card.
Check the documentation for the card or the manufacturer's site.

2) Cable loss is a factor. Roughly, the shorter and thicker the
antenna cable, the better. If I could get away with a 24" or 36" cable,
I would choose that one over a four or six foot cable.
Better yet, find out what the cable type is and find out what it's loss
is, if you can.



Steve