thanks for the info. the ms set i have came with a little usb antenna-puck which can be placed a fair distance (24") from the pc. my scenario is not the typical pc-on-a-desk one. i have the pc in an entertainment center connected to the tv and i sit across the room (10-15') from it. i really don't want to run wires across the hardwood floor, so i'm thinking if there was a way to capture the kb/mouse signal near where i'm sitting and send it out a wee bit bigger, the antenna across the room would be much happier.
hence my interest in designing and building a repeater to grab and boost the signal.