Print PDF
Favorite
Email
The WRT54G is one the most versatile routers; having a cheap price and a bunch of alternative firmware for it. One can find them at swap meets and second hand store all over the US. The can be used as access points, routers, bridges, repeaters and sometimes as all the above. This instructable will not go into the firmware aspect of the router, nor will it go into antenna desgin; the instructions I provide are a quick and dirty way to create a beast out of your WRT54G.
My entire want is for my WRTs was to be used as a long range repeater. I also wanted to make it Power-Over-Ethernet (POE) so I could put it some where electricity was hard to acquire. CAT5 cabling allows for 48v and 350mA over two of the four pairs, totaling in around 16w of power. The WRT54G use a 12v 500mA adapter, so at peak operating it is using 6w of power. By no means is this PoE standards ( please red up on PoE step 9); however, the router will be operating with PoE. Since in my case I will not be using any cross-over cabling I will eliminate a diode bridge. When we arrive at that part I will explain the purpose and function so one can decide if they need diodes in their project. This will allow me to network this out 100meters from my house and bridge and repeat another signal as well.
This instructable is crude and full of no-nos, so take it as a lesson in how you can modify your router by voiding the warranty. This was a quick solution to a problem I was facing and I took pictures while doing it. There are better ways, but this worked :)
Part Two is here
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1Tearing it down!!
First let me state the following: AS SOON AS YOU BREAK THE WARRANTY LABEL YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. EVERYTHING AND/OR ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS FROM THAT POINT ON IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
The v8+ opens up very simply. Two small tabs are really the only thing holding it together. Take the feet off and use a small screwdriver and pop the front off. After that it prety much falls apart. Bring the top back; two screws in the center of the board need to be taken out.
Now lets get rid of those awful antennas.
The v8+ opens up very simply. Two small tabs are really the only thing holding it together. Take the feet off and use a small screwdriver and pop the front off. After that it prety much falls apart. Bring the top back; two screws in the center of the board need to be taken out.
Now lets get rid of those awful antennas.
| « Previous Step | Download PDFView All Steps | Next Step » |
I dont plan on modifying my precious v1, but the v8... I dont mind hacking up :D I might just get another v8 just for this. I have to add some TNC male connectors for this, got them on order from china :D
I probably wont attempt the poe just yet, but maybe if I get a second v8 that it will be fine if I fry... :D
I dont really know anything about radio frequencies but I do know that I want a much stronger antenna than is purchase able. I think that this "ible might have just enough information to get me exactly where I want to be with my wifi setup...
If only I could install PF Sense into one of these routers.
I have been wondering if a licensed Ham radio operator could modify and use a router without fear of breaking any FCC rules. If so, what is the legal limit of wattage output for a router? I have been out of the loop for a while but this is the type of project I was looking for to just have fun with. I don't have any sending or receiving issues with my the routers in my home and can reach both from any room in my house and I had the whole house wire with cat 5 and jacks in each room when it was built, but I just want to see if I could Hit my FIOS router from the park down the street.
Zalman and other manf. make small heatsinks for PC RAM use (available from NewEgg and similar) that will fit this purpose. I've used these with good success on the WRT56G series. Just be sure to purchase thermal adhesive compound to secure it to the chip.