correct
 

Correct, you ARE correct. I should have pointed that out, an APE will work as a repeater for ANOTHER APE, or APPLE base, but not as a repeater using the regular WDS protocol for regular repeating.

So, if you have apple products and want to do that then that will work of course. I bougth the SMC, just since it was cheaper and provided all the same functionality, PLUS the WDS, which I use when I am at home to simply amp up signels where I need them in the house, basement, upstairs, out by the pool, etc.

Nmenaker - Have you seen another travel unit with repeater capability? 3Com, Netgear, D-Link? I have not seen one, except for the SMC unit (and APE). Seems kind of strange.

Best price I have seen so far is with PC Universe. $80.04; no sales tax in CA and free shipping.

FDuvall

I think
 

I think the 3com unit did it, and possibly ONE of the dlink travel routers, but they released a bunch, some with some without. SMC as well, came out with an 802.11b version first, with WDS, then the updated model 802.11b didn't have it. Then the 802.11g version DIDN'T have it, then indeed an 802.11G version came out that DID have it. This was all things like 700-g V2 or something, hard to figure out online.

As for purchase, I bought mine for 65.00 at computers4sure. They had a "email me price alert" thing, and that brought the price down.

Incidentally, I have the feeling that the price alert thingy works both ways. Passive, in that it just alerts you when the database matches your price. And SECOND, they have a list of how many people will pay WHAT price for WHAT item . At some point, they can shrink the margin and expect to get xx number of people buying the product, no? Anyway, I have found that more often than not I am getting an alert in 1-2 weeks.

Anyhow, back on topic. I think toms networking web site has had some reviews, as well as extremetech and annandtech or something like that. Just try a search for travel router and WDS.

Found some good info on Tom's Hardware. I still think the SMC unit is the best one. Will try to get it on Buy.com if they have a price drop.

By the way, I grew up in Menlo Park...live in Marin now. My parents are still near St. Raymonds Church. Small world!

FDuvall

At last, a reason that makes sense (to me) to carry one. Now I must aquire one, a second one actually since the first one connects my computer to my home stereo.

If the USB connection cannot charge up an ipod that is a real shame. Seems like a natural instead of carrying the ipod power brick that is about the same size.

Usb
 

yeah, another neat thing about the SMC one is that is comes with a USB power cable, that you just plug into the USB on a laptop for instance to power it, then use it for internet connection. Sort of like a perpetual motion machine!!

Range extender
 

The reason I am considering getting the SMC unit, is that the range on my Linksys WRT54G is not really good. I have the unit upstairs, and the signal strength on my laptop is low. I have tried moving the antennas around, but it doesn't seem to help.

Anyone have ideas about fixing this problem? I have heard of tweaks to raise the power level of the unit or build an antenna from a tin can (not sure how to do this), but maybe there is a simple solution to my problem. The house is fairly small, and the walls do not seem to be made of lead...

I still want the SMC box!

FDuvall

new unit
 

This unit was just announced, it quotes it as having ADAPTOR mode, which might be a new branding for WDS.

I am not able to find specific specs, but expect street pricing to be 59.99$ based on computers4sure preorder numbers

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=203404

I carry one of the little D-Link routers, 802.11B. It's retired from my house, but still works just fine for being on the road.

I also travel with a wireless router for this reason. I use the apple airport express.

I use an airport express for tunes and internet to the crew I travel with.

Looks like the Belkin model missed its release date of August, and now it seems to be priced at 79.99. Also can't tell anything about WDS.

Anything new out there, nmenaker, that I can use to extend my home wireless network and that I can use as a travel router? I still like the SMC model, but price hasn't moved.

FDuvall

yeah,
 

funny, belking lists it as 59.99, but then quotes 79.99.
the SMC can be had for 80 too, still a bit.

use a buy.com coupon for 10% off, and get one for 72? with free shipping.

although, I see you are in CA, meaning tax too.

I use the 3com mainly for hotel conference rooms with one internet outlet and for walking around my hotel room and working. It is 8.11g with a solid 200 foot range. It takes up teh same ammount of space as my bose headphones.

I bought the small-ish Netgear wireless adapter last year when it first came out. Used it for awhile with WEP encryption, but alas I bought a bigger laptop(really a desktop replacement -P4), and it just wasn't conducive (or comfortable) to use on my lap. Too hot! I'm now at the same hotel every week, where the room has a nice big table with a wired ethernet port 18" away on the wall. I really have no need to roam around a 14'x18' hotel room. So, I no longer really have the need for the NG wireless router. I just keep a short CAT-5 cable in my suitcase - which is left at the hotel over the weekend anyway.

redjr...