[Ham-Computers] Connecting a Wireless Bridge

[Jim Hill]

I have a wired LAN setup connecting three computers using a router and 
hub.  I would like to have a wireless link so I could use a laptop in my 
"shack", which is in a separate building.  I know almost nothing about 
wireless networks, and after some Internet searches, decided to get my feet 
wet by purchasing a Linksys WET11 Wireless-B Ethernet bridge over 
eBay.  After actually looking at one (it seems to have a SMA antenna 
connector, for example) and reading the literature, I could consider my 
next step.  I assumed I could verify it worked by connecting it to my 
laptop, going to a window and seeing if I could pick up a signal from a 
neighbor.

However, I never got that far.  I connected it to my network using a normal 
RJ-45 cable, and entered 192.168.1.225.  There's a switch on the bridge, 
for choosing a network card or hub/switch, which I set to hub/switch.  A 
Linksys window appeared, with Device Name (WET11), the static IP address I 
used, etc.  I attempted to change to DHCP, but lost the internet connection.

I then attempted to run the Linksys setup program, but it could not locate 
the bridge.  I tried resetting the bridge, using the other position of the 
network card-hub/router switch, etc. but still have the problem.

Any suggestions?
Jim