Boosting a built in Centrino adapter

[trudawg]

Okay........believe me I've searched and searched before I decided to make a post to no avail :D
I have picked up a hot spot in my neighborhood, but the signal is "very low" and there is intermittant connectivity. From what I've researched here and on the net, I can get a wifi antenna, or cantenna to boost the signal/reception.
Problem is I don't have an conventional adapter with the ability to connect an external device to. I just recently moved to this new location and it will be some time before I can establish my own internet connection via ISP, so I'm trying to come up with a viable solution for the mean time
I do have a linksys wifi router, I read somewhere that I may be able to convert to a bridge or access point??
What are my options?

[M/Q]

The Linksys router will not be able to help you as it does not configure as an access point client.

You could flash it with DD-WRT if your model will allow it. Then it would be able to act as a client. Or check out these devices.

http://www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz/

[trudawg]

Interesting info on that site, but I don't really have any means to create/modify anything right now. I'm looking for a specific device I can just go buy at CompUSA

[M/Q]

I have not tried these devices, as I make my own adaptations. But in theory they should be better than an on board device.

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?pfp=BROWSE&No=60&N=200713&product_code=339311&Pn=Hi_Gain_USB_Wireless_G_Dish_Adapter

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?pfp=BROWSE&No=120&N=200713&product_code=344124&Pn=Wireless_G_USB_Adapter_with_Removable_Antenna

I suspect you can search their site as well as I can.

[trudawg]

The dish adapter looks like it may be the way to go, however I'm wondering would I have any conflicts with my internal intel pro adapter. Would I just disable the internal adpater after installing this new external one? I'm going to give it a try, if it doesn't work, then I'll just return it...!!
Just noticed that it's "Coming Soon"....lol :p
back to the drawing board