Routers: Wireless Range Enhancement Questions + Third Party Firmware Poll

[Tsuioku]

My room is at the edge of the wireless connection. I have a laptop and a pc in my room and the windows wireless connection indicator generally states Very Low most of the time... Low at best. The connection also drops several times a day but quickly reconnects. I also have a PDA which can only connect 5-10% of the time.
Another problem I have is that my connection will start to lag when my torrents go > 350k and is just horrendous when it exceeds 450k. Will switching to another firmware and overclocking solve this?
What does everyone suggest I do to improve my performance and wireless coverage?

MY SETUP
I currently have a WRT54GL w/ Hyperwrt 2.1b1 + Thibor15c. I have tried moving the router to all possible locations and it is currently situated at what I find the best spot. Transmit power is currently set to 70mW. Higher settings seem to make no difference. I have also done a site survey and have the channel set to the one furthest away from all other routers in my area (There's only one at CH7, I currently have my router set to CH11. I know CH1 is further away but CH11 seems to provide a better signal)
There are currently 2 PCs and 1 Laptop connected wirelessly + 1 VoIP adapter connected by wire.

IDEAS (in order of cost efficiency)

1. Try other 3rd party firmwares
(Will it make a difference? Suggestions as to what I should use?)

2. Get some High Gain Antennas
(Will prolly buy off ebay so there will be no returns)

3. Get a High Power Router and sell my WRT54GL. Currently considering the Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 which outputs in excess of 300mW.
(Anybody own the G54? The transmit power may be increased but how is the sensitivity? ie My PC may see the G54 but can the G54 see my PC?)

4. Get another router and set up a WDS
(Would I have to get another 54GL or can I use any router that supports WDS?)


Any other comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[Riflem@n]

how far is the router to your room

[Tsuioku]

The router is ~18m away

[Tsuioku]

For those that vote "Other", please do a quick post stating the name of the firmware.

Upon reviewing the list, I just noticed that I forgot to add Tomato.
If there is no post, I will assume that is what you are using.

[Oversized Rooster]

In conjunction with my Linksys WRT54G, I use a Linksys WRE54G Range Expander.

It's basically a signal repeater which works perfectly for me.

My townhouse in Toronto is made of concrete only. I have the WRT54G on the 3rd floor which covers the 4th and 2nd floors nicely too.

But on the first floor, I get between 1/5 and 2/5 signal only. In the patio, strictly 1/5. In the underground garage, zero.

I have the Linksys WRE54G installed on the 1st floor. I now get:

5/5 signal 1st floor
5/5 signal 2nd floor
5/5 signal 3rd floor
4/5 signal 4th floor
4/5 signal patio
3/5 signal underground garage
2/5 signal street building entrance

[charliebrown]

not really 3rd party firmware...

got this during dell's days deal
http://www.netgear.com/Products/Rout...ys/WPN824.aspx