Not everything that you can add to a computer system, or to a personal device such as a smartphone, is a "big" improvement. Sometimes, small enhancements can make a big difference.

 

Take the Actiontec Wireless Broadband Router that the folks at Verizon gave me for the fiber-optic Internet service (FiOS) at La Casa Kellner. The router in and of itself isn't at all bad: It provides a connection to the FiOS service, a direct connection to the router for a desktop computer and up to three other devices, and a wireless Internet signal for the rest of the house.

 

At least that's the theory: In practice, the Wi-Fi signal didn't reach from the basement, where my office is, to the second-floor guest room where my spousal unit (as the Census Bureau would call her) does her thing.

 

What to do? My first try was an Apple Inc. wireless AirPort device that should have grabbed the signal in an appropriate strength. Its performance wasn't great, though I don't think this was Apple's fault. In fact, I can assert it wasn't because of the one thing I've tried: adding a $150 ANTBOS-24-UN 500mW Booster Antenna from Luxul Corp. of North Salt Lake City, Utah (www.luxul.net).

 

I was skeptical about the Luxul booster before I tried it: Could switching antennas on the router for one that has 500 milliwatts of extra electrical power do the trick? Well, it seems it can, because I now get a sufficient Wi-Fi signal. The firm also makes a one-watt amplifier that I plan to test shortly, but this might be more than we need.

 

Getting a Wi-Fi signal through the house is sometimes a challenge; the previous users put their router on the first floor, and the signal was fine on all three levels. In my case, it's imperative that I have a direct connection to the highest speed available at my desk, so the location of my home office dictated placement.

 

The Luxul product seems a good one, and although the price may equal that of some routers themselves, if you need the power, you'll find this a good buy. The mail order firm of Tiger Direct is the best retail source for the Luxul Wi-Fi line, although the firm is said to be working on other retail options.