D-link web links work fine with jaws now, I've been running one for over a 
month now, since my wrt54G died and I have no problem with the D-link web 
interface. If you don't need an N router, I wouldn't bother, they only last 
3 or 4 years anyway so I'd just get something you like with a decent name on 
it and a decent reputation, you'll be buying a new one in 4 or so years 
anyway, I've never had one last more than that and don't know anyone who has 
except those in extremely rare instances.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 9:37 PM
Subject: Re: Wireless router


> Fred,
>
> Kind of a hard question to answer without knowing your specific needs. 
> So,
> I'll make two answers.
>
> First, for the average person, a wireless G router will work fine.  It is 
> a
> relatively fast router, with speeds of 54MBPS.  Any router made within the
> last five years or so will have WPA, which is more secure as you don't 
> want
> to run an "open" network.  WPA passwords can use letters, numbers and some
> symbols, and can be quite long so they are very hard to crack.  The old 
> WEP
> security only used letters A through F and numbers, and they can be hacked
> in seconds by an experienced hacker.  The G standard should work with 
> almost
> any device, as it also is B compatible; 802.11B is the old wireless 
> standard
> that is much slower.
> Now, the G range is nominally 100 meters in free space, but it decreases
> significantly with the more walls you need to penetrate.  Some routers 
> have
> removable antennas so you can replace the existing antenna with a higher
> gain antenna if range is an issue.  You can get a good G router like the
> Linksys WRT54G for $40 or so.
>
> Now, if your needs are more demanding, then go for a N router, which is 
> the
> new standard 802.11N.  It may still be a draft standard, but it is pretty
> well settled, and any router can get a firmware upgrade over the Internet 
> if
> necessary.  N routers have considerably faster speed if you need that for
> sharing video files over a network, for example.  Many N routers have 
> better
> range because they employ signal diversity techniques through multiple
> antennas.  Of course, if you want that Nano capability, you'll pay more 
> for
> the wireless cards that have the multiple antennas on them.  A good N 
> router
> will likely cost around $80 and up.
>
> I have my wireless router next to my HF rig and have not noticed any
> degradation.  I do notice some speed degradation when the computer located
> nearest to the microwave oven is on and somebody heats up a cup of coffee.
> The routers use the 2.4GHz band, so if you have a cordless phone, that 
> will
> also degrade it unless you get a phone in the 5.8GHz band.
>
> Programming is straightforward, for the most part.  It's no different than
> setting up your cable router, except that you have to configure the 
> wireless
> network and set it up as a secure network.  On the N type routers, you 
> will
> also have a few different channel choice options, you can choose to use a
> double-wide channel in essence, which sacrifices a bit of range for much
> higher data speeds.
>
> Again, the Linksys routers, which are made by Cisco are good choices. 
> After
> that, I'd go with DLink, although at least with my older DLink router, 
> Jaws
> read the links as graphics.  You can label them in Jaws, but other screen
> readers read their links fine.
>
> The only complaint I have with Linksys is their webpage isn't worth a 
> piece
> of crap.  If you try to go to upgrade the firmware in your router, it was,
> at least as of a few months ago, completely impossible to select your 
> router
> model because they employ some kind of weird spinning combo box.  I've 
> tried
> it with Jaws, Window-eyes 7.2, and System Access, and none of the
> screen-readers will negotiate that site.
>
> So, if you have any more questions, feel free to fire away.
>
> Take my advice, I don't use it anyway.
>
> Steve, K8SP
> Lansing, MI
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Fred Adams" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 9:12 PM
> Subject: Wireless router
>
>
>>  Could some of you guys suggest the best wireless computer router that 
>> you
>> think is best?   Are wireless routers hard to program and does ham radio
>> RF
>> get into computers any easier with wireless routers?  I would appreciate
>> any
>> info or suggestions on this as I am thinking of changing from a cable
>> router
>> to a wireless router.
>>
>>
>>
>> Best wishes,
>>
>>
>> FRED C. ADAMS W4HC
>> THE HOUR IS LATE AND
>> THE NIGHT IS FAR SPENT
>> VOTE IN NOVEMBER