I acquired an airport express to extend my cable modems wireless signal, BUT having difficulty getting set up.

Having trouble getting set up.  I'm trying to set up airport express to extend my existing wireless network, so i can get a better signal for my iPad at the other end of the house.  I can get a green light on the airport device , but signal is still weak.  How do I tell if apple express has been properly set up.  Does the apple express need to be connect via ethernet to my cable modem (either for set up or to operate properly)?

I'm trying to set up airport express to extend my existing wireless network
If you are trying to "extend" using wireless only, Apple's "extend a wireless network" feature is a proprietary design that is designed to only work with other Apple routers.
It would be extremely unlikely that the Express could be configured to "extend" a wireless signal from a 3rd party modem/router or gateway.
More likely, the Express has been set up to "join" the wireless network. It does not provide any additional wireless signal in this type of configuration, which is designed for use with AirPlay.
I can get a green light on the airport device , but signal is still weak.  How do I tell if apple express has been properly set up.
If you have a Mac laptop handly, you can perform a quick check to see if the Express is actually "extending" the signal.
Locate the laptop near your main router. Hold down the option key on the Mac and click on the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen. Look for the BSSID and jot down the least few numbers for identification.  The BSSID is actually the AirPort ID of the device to which your Mac is connected at that time.
Now move the laptop close to the AirPort Express and perform the same check,  If you see the same BSSID, this confirms that the laptop is still connecting to your main router's wireless signal...and the AirPort Express is not "extending" the wireless signal.
If the Express is "extending", you will  of course see a different BSSID when you perform the check.
Post back on your results, so we will know how best to proceed if you want to configure the Express to provide more wireless coverage. It will help if you can provide the make and model number of your "modem", which is likely a combination modem/router or gateway type of device.

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  • How do I use Airport Express to extend my current network.

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    Linc44, welcome to the discussions!
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    No more meseges.
    في ٢٦/٠٨/٢٠١٤، الساعة ٢١:٤٥، كتب Apple Support Communities Updates <[email protected]>:
    New discussion activity
    Bob Timmons has posted in the AirPort community.
    How can I set up mhy Airport Express to extend my Time Capsule wifi wirelessly
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    You will use AirPort Utility on your computer to configure the Express. An iPhone or iPad could be used as well.
    We can provide more help....if you need it....but we'll need to know what version of AirPort Utility that you are using on your computer....or whether you want to use an iPhone or iPad to setup the Express.
    https://discussions.apple.com/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadImage/2-26506753-46613 2/AboutAirPortUtility.png
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  • How do I setup Airport Express to extend my CISCO router's wifi range?

    Hi,
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