Antenna Question

**thrmaln** · 03-15-2006, 05:57 PM

Hello,

I have an aopen pandora that I am building for a carputer. I have bought an Intel 2915 Mini PCI Wifi card. I need to still buy the internal pigtail as well as the external antenna. I only need the wifi components and a USB hub and then I have all my hardware.

I have seen people use the small antenna's used on regular wifi routers and I know the pigtail can work with that, but I was curious if I should look for a better antenna before I buy anything.

The PC will be installed in the armrest of a Mazda6 witht he DVD slot vertical. If I were to use a router antenna it would be mounted on the back and be in the horizontal plane since space would be an issue. I am sure this is much less then an optimal location.

My other option is to buy a remote antenna and mount it elswhere. I have found a few, but was unsure if it is worth the added cost. I do not want to mount the antenna outside of the vehicle. Could I mount the antenna under the dash attached to the firewall of the car. Above the antenna would be mostly plastic. Would it need to be vertical or could it be horizontal? It is a Wagon and could mount it in the rear if needed to look out the rear window.

Extreme range is not essentioal to me as I will most likely just network from the car in the driveway to the PC in the house for updating and downloads. I may also link up to the occasional wifi hotspot like a coffee shop, but I would park as near as possible to make things easier.

Since I am a Newbie to this sort of thing, I am open to any suggestions to what has worked for others. Also, I have found a few pigtails on ebay but I need a short one around 6". If anyone has a link to a shorter one I would be interested.

Best regards,

Marc

**thrmaln** · 03-22-2006, 01:00 PM

Bump,

I could realy use some help here as this is my only piece of hardware not purchased.

Best regards,

Marc

**DarquePervert** · 03-22-2006, 02:13 PM

try the stock antenna in the stock location and see if it works. If it doesn't work for you, get an external antenna. That way you're not spending any money unless you determine the need.

**Wiredwrx** · 03-22-2006, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by DarquePervert

try the stock antenna in the stock location and see if it works. If it doesn't work for you, get an external antenna. That way you're not spending any money unless you determine the need.

And, no one here can tell you with any certainty what your range will be, and if it will work in your driveway to your house. There are MANY MANY variables involved in radio wave propogation. It will probably work with the antenna in the armrest, but, if the car is filled with people, and it is far from your home computer or router, then it may not work.

Trial and error is the only way to know.

Michael