Don't rule out your wireless card in your laptop or desktop. This is often an overlooked problem of wireless connections. Most off the shelf cards (Linksys,D-link) etc. have pretty crappy performance. For example, I setup a wireless lan for my neighbor using a great antenna I made (
antenna ). This antenna put out about 15db of gain, compaired to most stock antenna at 2 - 5 db if your lucky. Even with this antenna, he was unable to get a good signal throught his house in the areas he needed. I put one of my Orinoco PCMCIA cards in his laptop, and the signal strength increased dramaticly. He is now able to use his laptop anywhere in his house. We are also able to pickup his signal across the street, and 4 houses down.
With wireless eguipment, you get what you pay for. Orinoco cards have come way down in price, but are amoung the best cards available. If you just want to purchase and antenna try here:
Hyperlink you need to determine the type of connector your AP uses and you should be able to find the correct pigtails at Hypertech. Fab Corp also sells some good wireless equipment:
Fab-corp