BITS AND BYTES

Turn a WRT54G into a Wireless Extender

by KEVIN MCISAAC

WIFI at the common 2.4GHz frequency is challenged moving around your house. Metal, water, wood, etc. all weaken the signal. Older style homes with long hallways, many rooms, and multiple floors are particularly challenging for the signal.

WiFi is broadcast in a torus (doughnut) shape from your antenna. This means that the signal is strongest with the furthest reach along a perpendicular axis from the antenna. So, ideally, you have your WiFi router in the centre of the house about computer high and that should get most of it. Of course, not every house is configured that way. And that’s why we sometimes need a WiFi repeater or extender.

I’ve written about these in the past and included some recommendations in my column then. However, I recently had a need myself for some WiFi extension and didn’t have one. What I did have was an old Linksys WRT54G WiFi router kicking around. These used to be as common as Crocs back in the 2000s. A lot of people have them in old boxes. Some people are still using them.

What does this have to do with WiFi extension, you’re wondering. Well, sometimes a router doesn’t have to be a router. Why this matters is this, on small home networks you generally only want one router. Occasionally you want more, such as when you need a separate subnet. Say for example, if you are providing WiFi for a separate suite. But, generally, just one is present. If you have two routers handing out IP addresses on the same network, it may cause conflicts.

Now, the WRT54G, like most routers, can have its DHCP Server capability turned off. Once you do that and a couple of other configurations, it’s no longer a router but is now extending your existing router’s DHCP capability to its location.

This means you can plug in your WRT54G to ethernet, and suddenly all the WiFi equipment is connecting via it back to the main router. Everyone’s on the same network. Yay, Among Us party!

Here are the steps to do this. Note, making the same configuration changes on other similar routers may work, but check your router manual first.

Before you start you’ll need the IP address of your main router and a computer you can temporarily plug into the WRT54G via ethernet.

1. Reset your WRT54G back to factory settings by holding the reset button for 30 seconds.

2. Plug a computer into a LAN port (not the WAN port)

3. Open up a browser on the connected computer and go to HTTP://192.168.1.1 and sign in with Admin/Admin

4. Go to the Wireless Settings page and change the SSID to be the same as your current main router’s SSID 5. Change the Wireless Channel to 1. This helps avoid radio conflicts with your main router.

6. Under the Wireless Security tab enable security. Probably WPA2 Personal. With a good password! Write it down!

7. Save Settings

8. Go to the main setup page.

9. Under Local IP Address, you’re going to give your router a static IP. I usually pick the high end of my router’s IP. So, if your router’s IP address is 192.168.1.1 then use 192.168.1.254. The “.1.” on your router may be something else, if so just use that.

10.Disable DHCP Server.

11.Under static DNS 1: Enter your router’s

IP address.

12.Save settings.

At this point, your WRT54G will reboot. Connect the WRT54G to the ethernet that connects to your main router. Make sure to use one of the four LAN ports NOT the WAN port. This is important.

Your computer may recognize the change, or it may need to be rebooted to get a new IP address. Once it does you should be able to bring up the WRT54G settings screen again using the Static IP address you used.

If anything went wrong, remember you can always reset back to factory settings with a 30-second reset.

At this point, you have a Wireless Access Point using an old piece of equipment that was doing nothing. Good job!

“...ideally, you have your WiFi router in the centre of the house about computer high and that should get most of it. Of course, not every house is configured that way. And that’s why we sometimes need a WiFi repeater or extender.”

February 2021

by ASHLEY KRISTINA

February Planetary Overview

• Sun currently in Aquarius and ingresses into Pisces February 18 • New Moon: February 11 -23 degree

Aquarius • Full Moon: February 27-8 degree Virgo • Mercury Retrograde January 30-

February 20 in Aquarius • Venus in Aquarius and ingresses in Pisces

February 25 • Mars continues to travel through Taurus • Saturn and Jupiter still in tight conjunction (can still see this in the night sky) in Aquarius • Pluto travels through the last degrees of

Capricorn • February 17: First Saturn square Uranus - the major theme of 2021

2020 had a theme of Capricorn energy, 2021 has a theme of Aquarius energy and it’s definitely the dawning of Aquarius. 2020 was Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto (The Big 3) travelling in tight conjunction (in Capricorn), moving to travelling Aquarius with three points in the year where Saturn (in Aquarius) squares Uranus (the ruler of Aquarius) in 2021. These outer planets very much affect activity on Earth.

Thoughts are manifesting at the speed of lightening and the energy you put out matters. This is the time for humanity. It is all about group dynamics and no longer about the individualistic ways of being and thinking. Saturn and Jupiter continue to move together in the sky, with Pluto not far behind. Three major Saturn-Uranus squares occur this year: 02/17, 06/14, 12/24. It will be fascinating to see how it unravels on Earth. I will continue to speak of the Saturn square Uranus theme this year. Pay attention to what occurs 02/17.

Aries

Chiron, the energy of the wounded healer travels through your sign this month and with Mars travelling in Taurus there is no point rushing. Slow, steady, organized and unconventional is the theme.

Taurus

Mars travels in the sky with Uranus and Black Moon Lilith (BML) all month and you might sense this current in your energy. Uranus is the traditional ruler of Aquarius and an electric energy, speeding up what it touches. BML is the shadow side of the divine feminine.

Gemini

The north node of the moon is travelling through Gemini. What has happened in your life since the eclipses of November and December 2020? Change will still occur quickly for the next several months. Manifesting ability is high at this time.

Cancer

It’s been an intense time for you and this continues in 2021. Security is very important for the well-being of Cancer and Taurus signs. The Crab, your ruling symbol, has learned to carry its home on its back so that he/she feels home, and secure, at all times.

Leo

Aquarius is your polar opposite on the zodiac, therefore this time can both be balancing and quite disruptive for you. Trusting this energy and going with the flow is the best way forward.

Virgo

You can use this time of air (mental) energy to progress in a special way such as writing a book or documenting how to do something. Do not allow it to create anxiety, instead utilize it to spread your knowledge for the betterment of a group, community or society.

Libra

Spend time this month grounding and being with your emotions to create balance. Meditative activities and routine are helpful to stay centred. Stillness is a practice. Maintaining it is a greater practice.

Scorpio

You’re behind the scenes and watching the unraveling. Trusting the path and staying in the highest spheres of love and peace allows your frequencies of energy help this time on earth. You are a great pillar.

Sagittarius

What and how you feel at this time is everything. Making room for fun, happytimes and peace are some of the most important moves you can make right now. Follow the energy of what feels good, every moment.

Capricorn

This will continue to be a fascinating year and time of growth and learning. Saturn, your ruling planet, squaring Uranus (ruler of Aquarius) occurs February, June and December. This forms a pattern for you.

Aquarius

It’s your time to shine Aquarians! The energy of this year is very supportive of your path although you strongly feel the three Saturn squares to Uranus: 02/17, 06/14, 12/24 (most likely as restrictive). Happy birthday!

Pisces

Happy birthday to the first decan Pisceans. The last week of the month brings a breath of ethereal energy, allowing you to take a very important breath in. On the breath out, manifest the truth of your heart with the great image in your mind’s eye and blow it over the Earth.

Out in the Community:

How do you CARVE out time for that which is important to you?

Lindsay Reynolds,

Three Sisters Day Spa

A. I carve out time for myself by getting out for a x-country ski or reading a good book!

Bruce Nelson,

Fernie Fire Rescue

A. Fortunately for me, some of the things that are important to me are being outside with my friends/ family. I always try and pursue my outdoor activities with friends or family. Rarely do I go out alone. The social time and outdoor adventure are equally important to me. This past year I have been able to spend even more time doing the family adventures and it has been awesome!

Amy DeMarchi, City of Fernie

The things that are most important to me often don’t require carving out time. It’s the routine tasks like walking the dog on a beautiful day that remind me it’s the little things in life that bring the most pleasure. This January, the Elk Valley Hospital in Fernie, BC had its Ultrasound service set up and running! “We are so grateful to our wonderful community for fundraising in record time to get this project off the ground,” they said on their Facebook page (Elk Valley Physicians). $300,000 was raised in less than two months, the room was renovated, an ultrasound tech hired and equipment purchased. Well done, Elk Valley!

Griz Days is fast approaching, hosted the first weekend of March annually for more than 40 years celebrating the legendary mountain man who shoots his musket and makes the champagne powder this valley is known for fall from the skies. Oragnizers have been working hard to be innovative in the changing landscape that is COVID. You can expect a drive-in Parade, fireworks, streaming of the Extreme Griz competition, outdoor challenges, the new Legend of the Griz documentary and more! Ferniegrizdays.com

In January, the third annual #ferniestreak took place. This challenge, which encourages people to get outside for 30 minutes every day in January, continues to grow in popularity and share the benefits of exercise and fresh air. Organizer Abi Moore made it a bit more official this year, with a small fee to register and online tracking, which helped to raise funds for East Kootenay Foundry ($6,755.22 at the time of writing) and encouraged the 459 adults, youth and dogs who signed up to be accountable! “I think this year’s streak was needed more than ever and brought out the very best in our mountain town community – and beyond! Thanks to everyone for the commitment, the camaraderie and the amazing pictures. What do we do in February?”

Alpine Canada recognized Fernie legend, Emily Brydon’s World Cup Super-G in St. Moritz, Switzerland in its “100 Peak Moments” celebrating and exploring the most iconic moments in Canadian ski history from 1920 to 2020. “Whether you’re a ski racer or a kid in school or trying to do a great job in your career or raising your family, there’s always going to be a lot of people who say you can’t, and so I think for me there’s a constant reminder that when you believe in something and put in the work, you’ll get that return at some point.” Brydon said to the Fernie Free Press.

The Outdoor

Community

Rink adjacent to the Fernie Aquatic Centre opened mid-January, thanks to the hard work and diligence of the City of Fernie staff. Open daily from 10am to 10pm for free drop-in public skating. As it is a natural ice surface, conditions vary depending on weather. Staff and volunteers monitor the rink and work hard to manage these conditions to ensure residents can enjoy it safely. Any closures will be posted on site – enjoy!