The Airport Express is a marvelous idea, & by all accounts is a doddle to set up. As part of a wireless network it can fulfill many functions – hub, access point, network extender, print server – but I’m willing to bet that most purchasers are like me and simply want to stream their iTunes library to the main stereo. Once it’s configured iTunes can be be directed to it and by simple means of a 3.5mm jack to phono cable routes music through the proper amp and on to those Kef Q35.2s which have languished unused since the previously reported sad demise. As an added bonus there’s an iPhone app that  can control iTune remotely.

In theory all that’s needed is to plug it in, tell the network it’s an authorised device & off we go. Like hell. Three days later and I’m finally getting music out, but at a cost. The first problem is that my main router is a BT HomeHub, which let’s be honest is crap. After much swearing and resetting I isolated the problem to network security; I was using 64-bit WEP (which is pretty punkass, to be fair) and there wasn’t a matching setting on the AE. Figuring that now may be the time to up the security to WPA I did so but committed the schoolboy error of doing so from a wireless connection. Which was only configured for WEP. Not my brightest moment.

One day later & with No. 1 daughter’s laptop I still failed to connect, so did what I was trained to do & took everything back to first principles. Which meant temporarily running a wireless network with absolutely no security. What would my geek mates & their military level DMZs say, I wonder? At which point the AE connected happily, so we’re on the right lines.

Time to get the Mac back on the network – with a cable – and step up to WPA via WEP. This involved a 63 digit alphanumeric key rather than a 10-digit one, so a visit to GRC with much copying & pasting ensued. Mac connected ok, as did the AE, so it was smiles all round until the rest of the family realised that their internet connection was dead. They made their feelings suitably felt and I shared their pain when it became apparent that the Remote app was useless since the iPhone was still without WPA and typing 63 digits accurately on a virtual keyboard is no picnic, let me tell you.

Still, the AE no longer has a flashing amber light (bad) but a solid green one (good). And here it is:

Now just two laptops, a PS3 & a Wii to get back online. But it’s all been  worth it.