Router + DDWRT = Godlike Signal Strength

RustShack

Chiefs Dynasty
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Jan 27, 2010
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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

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Mar 29, 2006
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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.
 
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Ciclone

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May 5, 2008
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Clive
If you're excited now, wait until you add Asterisk to your setup with Google Voice and you've got free VOIP.

:smile:
 

Ciclone

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Clive
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.
 
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Skyh13

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Mar 17, 2006
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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. :smile:

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:yes:
 
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CloneBack

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Apr 17, 2007
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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:yes:

Good to know...
 

Boxerdaddy

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Oct 19, 2009
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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.
 

Senolcyc

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geekstitle.gif
 

JY07

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Anyone know of a solid cheap router I could do something like this with? (preferably sold on amazon/newegg)

I have a newer linksys router, but i was lucky enough to get the specific build/version of it that doesn't work with any of these firmwares, and it's about time to chuck it
 

CloneBack

Member
Apr 17, 2007
274
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West Des Moines
Anyone know of a solid cheap router I could do something like this with? (preferably sold on amazon/newegg)

I have a newer linksys router, but i was lucky enough to get the specific build/version of it that doesn't work with any of these firmwares, and it's about time to chuck it

Cisco Linksys E3000 Simultaneous 2.4/5GHz Dual Band Wireless N Router w/ 4x Gigabit Ports, USB Port, DD-WRT & Tomato Compatible (Refurbished) $75 + Free Shipping - Cisco Systems Deals, Coupons and Promos
 

bos

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Apr 10, 2006
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I actually just updated my father in laws old belkin with DD-wrt. Works great. Im not quite ready to do anything with my brand new home one yet. May give it a year or so, but doing this with old ones is a fantastic idea to get more out of it.