How to boost our Linksys WRT150N's signal -- across the house?

Just in case you can't get enough on the topic of Panasonic phones, here are the two Panasonic phones I see at Amazon that are probably a little better than our new one.

Ours:

These other two models offer some features that ours don't:

- talking caller ID, which I hear is actually handy

- call block, which would help with any callers who bug us repeatedly

- backlit keypads

- phone book stored in base (rather than in each handset)

- programmable night mode (certain phones won't ring during certain hours)

- Clarity Booster ("combines two voice paths helping the handset to improve clarity in an area where there may otherwise be interference")

I can't be sure if "Clarity Booster," or any of the other features mean better sound or not, but the features themselves sound good enough that we should probably upgrade, if we don't mind the shipping hassle.

They all use the latest "Dect 6.0" technology. I don't know if that's good or not. They're all 1.9 GHz, rather than 5.8 GHz. I don't know if that's bad or not.

Worth its weight in gold if you ever try to dial where there is not lots of light!!!!!!!!

I _really_ miss this feature as its missing from my current home phone.

the GHZ says what frequency it works on, not usually a major problem, but they used to use the same freq's (2.4 GHZ) as networks, some are still sold at that freq, and sometimes caused errors in wireless networks, and interference with tivo wireless g's.....

just an aside, something I found sort of handy, some have headset jacks (work with some of the same headsets/earpeices for cell phones).. nice to be able to put it in your pocket and still talk hands free while you cook/clean/watch tv/putter...

At any rate (Another aside) they now make combo cell/wifi phones, since you are movin on up in technology, thought you may be looking at those (new app for iphone does cell when away from net, voip when network available/connected... you (I think/I forget a lot) mentioned something about already having iphones, thought you may have checked out that app)

On Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:49:59 -0800, dgates wrote in :

The best phones are digital spread spectrum. I use and recommend Panasonic Gigarange. Some of the analog and basic digital phones are pretty bad. Be sure any cordless phones are not on 2.4 GHz, or they can cause serious grief with your Wi-Fi.

On Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:49:59 -0800, dgates wrote in :

"If it seems too good to be true, it probably is."

Non-digital phones tend to be poor.

On Sun, 04 Jan 2009 06:40:03 -0800, dgates wrote in :

Great!

Fair criticism -- guilty as charged. I'm often too terse, depending on the other party to ask questions as needed, and I tend to assume you've read the Wireless Wiki. ;)

Good.

If a device has profiles of two different SSIDs, it should select the network with the stronger signal. What it won't do is roam from one to the other -- it will stay connected unless and until it loses that connection whereupon it will start over on a new connection. With the same SSID there is at least some chance that a device will roam seamlessly to the strongest signal, although implementation of roaming is imperfect and spotty.

Then don't mess with it. ;)

They won't come into play in your configuration, so it doesn't matter what you have to put in them -- just do whatever it takes to make the interface happy.

Most interfaces have a setting for "security off" or "open network". That, plus not setting MAC address filtering, SSID off, etc, all of which are non-default, so they would only be on if you did it.

Cute, all too true, and thank you for taking the time to say "thanks" -- most users don't bother. Here's my own favorite on the expert vs amateur issue:

A Day in the Life of Phone Support

HOTLINE: Cut-rate Computers -- we cut corners to cut prices -- how may I help you?

CALLER: My computer won't work!

HOTLINE: What seems to be the problem?

CALLER: It won't work.

HOTLINE: What do you see on your screen?

CALLER: Nothing.

HOTLINE: Is the screen dark?

CALLER: No.

HOTLINE: What does it look like?

CALLER: Black.

HOTLINE: OK -- are there any lights on the front of the system unit?

CALLER: I have no idea.

HOTLINE: Why not?

CALLER: What's a system unit?

HOTLINE: That's the other big box that you got from the computer store. Are there any lights?

CALLER: No.

HOTLINE: Try pushing the power button. That's the round button right in the middle.

CALLER: Nothing.

HOTLINE: Are you sure it's plugged in?

CALLER: Of course I am -- what do you take me for?

HOTLINE: Calm down, sir. Please humor me just to be sure.

CALLER: I can't tell for sure.

HOTLINE: Why not?

CALLER: I can't tell.

HOTLINE: Look around behind the system unit -- er, the big box -- and see if there's a cord plugged into the wall.

CALLER: I still can't tell.

HOTLINE: Why not?

CALLER: It's too dark.

HOTLINE: Turn on a light.

CALLER: Can't do that.

HOTLINE: Why not?

CALLER: The power has been out for over an hour.

HOTLINE: Sir, I know how to fix your problem.

CALLER: You do? Terrific!

HOTLINE: Do you still have all the boxes your computer came in?

CALLER: Yes.

HOTLINE: Pack it all up and take it back to the computer store.

CALLER: What should I tell them?

HOTLINE: Tell them you're too dumb to own a computer!