Is it possible to throttle the WRT614L wireless transmitter?

I would like to be able to be able to increase the transmitter power of the Netgear WGR614L router. I have looked at the firmware available and am leaning towards the DD-WRT stuff because of it's excellent security features. I am currently running the stock Netgear software and found that WPA2 and AES were very hard to set. The reason I need more power is that coverage of my apartment complex is currently spotty and I frequently like to run the laptop from the laundry room which is a distance away and the current signal is quite weak in there now. Which of the basic software setups allow for this capability if at all? Has anyone successfully increased the power of the wireless transmitter? I am a new member, very happy with my Netgear WRT614L wireless router but would really like to enhance the transmitter power and security of the wireless side of the router. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!