Seattle Area Meet

**spectrumzz** · 12-27-2003, 02:51 AM

Originally Posted by Dan Marsh

I take it you are referring to an 802.11b/g antenna? Firstly, you need to have a 802.11b/g adapter with an external antenna connector. I recommend Orinoco Gold/Silver and Senao/Engenius 200 MW cards for this purpose. They both have external antenna connectors and have very sensitive radios.

http://www.fab-corp.com/ sells 5 db omni directional mag mounts for under $20 that terminate in the appropriate connector (MC Card for Orinoco, MMCX for Senao). I have seen 8 db mag mount omni antennas as well, but they are significantly higher profile, have greater wind-load and the gain achieved by flattening the signal can actually limit you in some ways.

I will definately speak about wireless at the meet. Topics will probably include:

- Remote administration
- Finding and using public hotspots
- Internet access via cell-phone

I have found a set of USB WiFi cards (EPOX) that work several hundred feet, and even work well buried inside the bodywork of my car... signal isn't an issue at all. This is a contrast to the Orinoco card on my laptop that goes only a short distance.

**orangewhip** · 12-27-2003, 03:29 AM

Sorry guys, just got my schedule for the new year and I have to work on the 10th!! DAM, I wish I could go, i think it would be a good meet.

Maybe next time!!

**Dan Marsh** · 12-27-2003, 03:36 AM

Orinoco cards have very sensitive receivers, but put out only 30 MW. The antennas built into PCMCIA cards are terrible and are often oriented improperly with respect to polarity. By keeping any wireless device inside the metal box that is your car, you are seriously attenuating any incoming or outgoing signal.

An appropriate external antenna will make a world of difference in the sort of range you can achieve. I have authored a number of articles on 802.11b antenna designs and have personally been able to make point to point links of up to 10 miles. Seattle Wireless has managed to create links as long as 38 miles with parabolic antennas.

**Dan Marsh** · 12-27-2003, 03:38 AM

Originally Posted by orangewhip

Sorry guys, just got my schedule for the new year and I have to work on the 10th!! DAM, I wish I could go, i think it would be a good meet.

Maybe next time!!

Sorry you won't be able to make the meet. I will try and take lots of pictures for those unable to attend.

**spectrumzz** · 12-28-2003, 03:30 AM

Originally Posted by Dan Marsh

Orinoco cards have very sensitive receivers, but put out only 30 MW. The antennas built into PCMCIA cards are terrible and are often oriented improperly with respect to polarity. By keeping any wireless device inside the metal box that is your car, you are seriously attenuating any incoming or outgoing signal.

An appropriate external antenna will make a world of difference in the sort of range you can achieve. I have authored a number of articles on 802.11b antenna designs and have personally been able to make point to point links of up to 10 miles. Seattle Wireless has managed to create links as long as 38 miles with parabolic antennas.

10 miles? I assume that is directed?

**Dan Marsh** · 12-28-2003, 03:54 AM

Originally Posted by spectrumzz

10 miles? I assume that is directed?

Yes, directional antennas at each end. Fairly long distance links can be achieved in point to multipoint environments if there is a minimum of noise (urban areas suck), have clear line of sight, use a good omni like a 15 db slotted waveguide, sensitive radios at each end. Amplification can help as well, but will often put you outside of FCC regulations. I recommend Casey Halverson's WiFi calculator to get a good idea of what sort of range can be achieved with different radio/antenna combinations.

**Dan Marsh** · 01-05-2004, 10:55 PM

Just wanted to remind everyone that the Seattle meet is coming up this Saturday. Sounds like we are going to have some interesting speakers (or at least some boring ones talking about interesting topics).

So, who else has been polishing up their cars in anticipation of the meet? I spent a few hours with wire loom, cable ties and heat shrink tubes doing everything possible to make my car look presentable. I also replaced a cracked windshield and despite the cold weather, may even try to wash it

**gospeed.racer** · 01-05-2004, 11:40 PM

Some of us are preparing for "the storm of the century" or so the local news would have you believe. Hows the weather up there? As long as I aint snowed in, Ill be there....so far in the last week and a half I cant even park in the parking lot at work

Damn teenagers (NOT) and their lowered cars anyway.

**orangewhip** · 01-05-2004, 11:42 PM

Well,

My schedule just changed again, and it looks like I may be able to make it after all. Just trying to finish off the system and hopefully will have time to install it later this week. Not sure if I will be able to or not, weather isn't helping much!!

**Dan Marsh** · 01-06-2004, 01:49 AM

We have been receiving sporadic snow here the last few weeks, but driving has been good. We are supposed to get some snow tonight, but the forecast for the rest of the week says that temperatures will stay substantially above freezing.