HTC Droid Eris :: Unable To Get Encrypted WiFi Router Broadcast

Friends are setting up a wireless router @ work. we all pitch in some cash to pay for the monthly fee. They want to keep it secure. If the router is broadcasting publicly, my eris sees it and will connect. As soon as it gets encrypted, or password protected, I drop signal and my phone doesn't "see" it. I've entered my mac address into the router in hopes that it will broadcast to me. Can't see it.

It won't even show as a "locked" or "secure" WiFi connection. I've set up the wireless preferences according to network ssid and correct password. No success. Is there something screwy with the eris WiFi system? Anyone else run into this problem? Why is it that I can use WiFi if it's an open, broadcasting signal, but can't use or see it when it's a password protected and privately broadcasting signal? Doesn't make sense to me. Is there an app for this?

thanks for the help!