Hi,

As posted before, we are trying to set up a test bed with a bunch of
Linksys WRT54GL routers. I would like to be able to cable the routers
together so that they are not using OTA to communicate. Ideally, there
would be an adjustable attenuator in the cable as well so we could
simulate distance.

In a naive attempt at doing this we tried wrapping the routers in
tinfoil (after removing the antennae) to isolate them. This worked
pretty well. Then we tried wrapping a cardboard tube in tinfoil and
connecting the routers by placing the tube over the antennae RP-TNC
connectors on the routers. (the naive part!) This didn't work at all -
no signals got through.

More research on the internet found me at this site: http://
www.wirelessdesignmag.com/ShowPR.aspx?
PUBCODE=055&ACCT=0031546&ISSUE=0610&RELTYPE=PR&ORI GRELTYPE=FE&PRODCODE=W0240&PRODLETT=A
which shows a test setup of wireless nodes connected with 'RF cable'.
My questions are:

Would this actually work? Assuming it does:
Are attenuators required so that the output from one router doesn't
damage the other router? What cable is best to use for this
application? Any other advice (note - we don't have any experience in
this field)?

thanks,
charlie