Nice one Jim
It's always galling when you discover the problem is self-created in the name of progress.
Thanks to all who cared to reply - it appears the problem was (in no particular order)
A very weak wireless router
An incorrect original installation spitting out random IP addys
A huge and heavily lined internal chimney blocking signals all over the house
Some random wireless interference from new phone system
then manually configured channels
Thanks again
Can I recommend Netstumbler also - good starting point utility