Router + DDWRT = Godlike Signal Strength

**CloneBack** · 05-05-2011, 07:03 PM

OMG, flashed my Linksys router and the signal range has increased dramatically (also tweaked a few settings). I would recommend this to anyone that isn't afraid to brick their current router. Risk = reward. I apologize to the residents of WDM who are on the same channel.

www.dd-wrt.com | Unleash Your Router

**Cyclonepride** · 05-05-2011, 07:07 PM

I might try that if I knew what the hell you are talking about.

**tim_redd** · 05-05-2011, 07:12 PM

i like openwrt or tomato better.

**RustShack** · 05-05-2011, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by tim_redd

i like openwrt or tomato better.

I was going to do this with my old router... I liked what I read a lot about the Tomato one.. but I was about to do it and my router didn't work with it.

I recently moved and we have a Linksys WRT150N here... what would you recommend doing with that? I clicked on this guys link and the DD-WRT is compatible... but I've never actually done this before..

**tim_redd** · 05-05-2011, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by RustShack

I was going to do this with my old router... I liked what I read a lot about the Tomato one.. but I was about to do it and my router didn't work with it.

I recently moved and we have a Linksys WRT150N here... what would you recommend doing with that? I clicked on this guys link and the DD-WRT is compatible... but I've never actually done this before..

Basically you can only do whatever your router is compatible with. DD-WRT is better than any stock firmware out there, so if your router is compatible you should put it on there.

**RustShack** · 05-05-2011, 08:53 PM

So how do I go about doing this? Isn't it somewhat difficult?

**Ciclone** · 05-05-2011, 08:59 PM

If you're excited now, wait until you add Asterisk to your setup with Google Voice and you've got free VOIP.

**Rickybaby** · 05-05-2011, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by Ciclone

If you're excited now, wait until you add Asterisk to your setup with Google Voice and you've got free VOIP.

Got any instructions on how to do that?

**cloneluke80** · 05-05-2011, 10:55 PM

dont brick your routers folks, go easy, this takes research and careful planning to flash firmware, or you get a $100 door stop...

**Ciclone** · 05-05-2011, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by Rickybaby

Got any instructions on how to do that?

First I'll warn you it's not easy. You also need to have DD-WRT set up on a router that has external USB capabilities. The nice thing about doing it this way, though, is that you aren't really messing with your DD-WRT setup too much as everything is on an external drive (a thumb drive for me).

Take a look at the third post here. This guy does a good job of the basics:

DD-WRT Forum :: View topic - DD-WRT + Asterisk + Google Voice

If you get it set up and working with a Google Voice account and want to use it with the phones in your house then you'll need to buy an adapter like the following:

Amazon.com: Grandstream HandyTone HT286 VoIP Phone Adapter: Electronics

That's a pretty simple adapter, but it does the trick just fine for most applications and setting it up is pretty easy. There's still a drawback with no E911 possible with Google Voice. Beyond that, Asterisk can be as simple or complicated as you want with multiple lines, voicemail boxes, auto attendants, music on hold, etc.

**Skyh13** · 05-06-2011, 12:20 AM

Originally Posted by CloneBack

OMG, flashed my Linksys router and the signal range has increased dramatically (also tweaked a few settings). I would recommend this to anyone that isn't afraid to brick their current router. Risk = reward. I apologize to the residents of WDM who are on the same channel.

www.dd-wrt.com | Unleash Your Router

Careful pumping up those mA's ... depending on which router you have, you could end up hurting your throughput, along with really shortening the life of your router due to overheating issues from the extra power. I know that was the case with the old WRT54G's.

A bit more power than the stock setting is nice, though

**CloneBack** · 05-06-2011, 06:30 AM

Originally Posted by Skyh13

Careful pumping up those mA's ... depending on which router you have, you could end up hurting your throughput, along with really shortening the life of your router due to overheating issues from the extra power. I know that was the case with the old WRT54G's.

A bit more power than the stock setting is nice, though

Good to know...

**CloneBack** · 05-06-2011, 06:40 AM

Originally Posted by CloneBack

Good to know...

My router is in my basement (2 story) and from the 2nd floor I was getting 3Mb download speeds on my evo.

**Boxerdaddy** · 05-06-2011, 08:26 AM

This is not difficult. But you must READ VERY CAREFULLY. Follow ALL instructions. This isn't something to wing. Just print off all instructions and read them a few times to get an understanding and then do it. Not difficult just be attentive to details and you'll be fine.

**chewbocka** · 05-06-2011, 08:37 AM

When I did this it took about half an hour, and at least half of that was waiting for the router to reboot a few times. It's not hard if you're tech savvy, you just need to follow instructions.

If you're looking for Google Voice, check this box out. Plug in a standard home phone and you're set.

Amazon.com: OBi100 VoIP Telephone Adapter and Voice Service Bridge: Electronics