If the Y cable is anything like the one on my external USB hard drive, all it'll do is increase the current available on the 5V line from 0.5 to 1 amp. Can't really see that's going to make much difference to the performance.

That would be true if you are using and external modem and the modem is not getting enough power. If you are using an external modem it can't hurt to try one.

Here is a picture of what i believe they are trying to get me to use.

I assume by "wireless internet" you mean cell phone, not wifi off the cable or something? At work, we're in a pretty RF shielded building and we had a cellular repeater (or amplifier, or something) installed. We went from no bars to 5. I think they are a few $100, and I don't know how well they work if you don't have a good signal to start with. The use an external antenna.

I assume that also - and can offer more info on the booster. I had ZERO signal to start with. It works great now! I bought the first of a kind about 6 or 7 years ago, Motorola came out with a publically available model called "Inteligain." A few years ago Motorola sold the line to "Wilson" antennas and Wilson continues to manufacture the same unit. I have a home in a remote area of the forest in Pacific NW and did not have any cell service back then and ever since installing it I have enjoyed 5 full bars everywhere I go. The same unit in the vehicle can work inside (changing from DC to AC for use inside most buildings). I refered a friend to Wilson products earlier this year and out the door he spent about 500 bucks, 300+ for the booster and another few hundred for the desk top phone cradle next to his PC, and an extenral antenna he needed to mount on his roof. check out Wilson antennas and phone boosters on line.

Well, there you go.

Along the same line:

Any sugguestions on boasting the signal from my Comcast supplied router. It is upstairs and we and our laptops spend most of our time downstairs in the sunroom. Sunroom has a cable outlet for the TV. Is it possible to feed both (router and TV) from the same cable jack?

Use a 7dbi antenna or better. Use only USA made not China. They are available on eBay and they work great for my 2.4GHz phone.

Regards.

A good link.

It gives an idea to build Directional-Antennae for both the No-Directional-Antennae.

If the receiving antenna only is extended for top of roof of building [if you have] it may help. But it needs a well matched coaxial connector.