I had similar problems with receiving signals in the lower room in my house. The thing that I'm using now works great. I changed 0y router to a Netgear RangeMax. It has multiple antennas (number depends on model). I went from Low signal (18) to maximum (54) as soon as I installed it. Two other things that I've tried: One is setting up a "mesh" router. I used the Open Mesh for a good while. http://www.open-mesh.com/index.php/ but you will need to buy two to get the signal to get to your workshop. The first is hardwired to a port on your regular router and the second one re-transmits the signal to other WiFi devices (including another mesh router if further distance is desired). They can essentially be daisy chained to go a long way. The major drawback is that each "jump" or link of mesh routers cuts the bandwidth in half. Starting with 54 Mbps at the first mesh router, the second will be 27 Mbps, the third will be 13.5 so there's a practical limit to how far you can go. BUT, the first hard wired router can link to several "second" routers. This is good for an inexpensive setup in an apartment building or very large space. They are setup and controlled via an Internet web page and have tons of ways to be setup: restricted, open, encrypted, password, etc.. as well as having a custom initial connection screen. The other thing I tried was the Pringles Can antenna which worked like a champ with a strong signal. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-make-a-wifi-antenna-out-of-a-pringles-can-nb/ The big drawback was later I wanted to add other wifi computers and the pringles can will only point to one spot, so I decided to try the Netgear RangeMax which solved all the problems. Doug >Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:01:37 -0500 >From: Tom Waddell <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Extending wireless range > >I have a computer in my workshop, about 50 feet in a straight line from the >home desktop router. In a straight line the signal would have to pass >through a house wall, a mudroom wall and a garage wall, all insulated but >none with foil backed insulation. The signal strength is always "very low" >and often drops out completely. How can I improve the signal so I can listen >to on line content while I work? PCBUILD's List Owners: Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]> Mark Rode<[log in to unmask]>