[lug] cheap 802.11b for linux...

[D. Stimits]

Someone had mentioned the question of newer 5 GHz equipment. Just today
a PC Mall catalogue arrived, advertising "The first 802.11a LAN with
data rates as fast as 54Mbps". It's the Intal PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN
family. The access point is $390, a cardbus adapter is $157, a PCI
adapter is $192, and a "starter kit" with one access point and 2 cards
is $630. It says 128-bit WEP security, which sounds nice (at least for a
few months till cracking gets easier), and even says that with an
optional kit it can provide simultaneous 802.11a and 802.11b.

"J. Wayde Allen" wrote:
> 
> On Thu, 21 Mar 2002, Rob Nagler wrote:
> 
> > No choice here.  The TNC is on the Linksys.  The BNC is on the
> > antenna ( http://www.superpass.com/SPDG16O.html )
...
> > I've built some power-over-ethernet modules.  My plan is to mount the
> > Linksys on the inside of the roof just below the antenna and so the
> > only coax would be the length from the antenna through the roof.
> 
> That ought to work.

It might not be nearly as good as it sounds, if the attic space reaches
high temperatures in summer, it could be a serious problem on life of
product. I'd be very careful about temperature spec's. Even if it
doesn't kill the hardware, it might not be in the best performance shape
after a few cycles from -20 F to +130 F or more. Unless it is milspec
(and maybe even then), I'd plan on trying to add some form of
environment control for temperature.

D. Stimits, stimits at idcomm.com

> 
> > I thought about buying a casing, but frankly I can't see something
> > that's going to protect the Linksys in Boulder's climate.  I want to
> > be able to replicate the set up at the clients.  (I'm using the
> > Linksys in bridging mode.)
> 
> I've been looking at some of the weatherproof electrical boxes sold at
> Home Depot.  These cost about $20 and look like they'd work pretty well.
> 
> > I've been to Saunders, and their grounding cable seems very
> > expensive.
> 
> Probably, they aren't necessarily the least expensive source of things.
> Try someplace like a hardware store that sells electrical wiring.
> 
> > I would like a roof tripod for my antenna.
> 
> Those are available for instant gratification at Radio Shack, McGuckings,
> and Home Depot.
> 
> > Someone else mentioned weather as important factor.  What I found is
> > that obstacles, especially trees, are the key factors.  I need to test
> > the placement when the cottonwoods are full.
> 
> Yes indeed.  Lots of things absorb energy at 2.4 GHz.
> 
> > Does anybody recommend putting two antennas?  The Linksys allows you
> > to control which antenna you use.  My feeling is that all get more
> > loss by placing two antennas far apart than going with one antenna and
> > telling the Linksys to use only one.
> 
> Not sure about the double antenna idea.  I think the Linksys unit
> dynamically chooses the antenna that gets the most signal, which
> "might" have some merit.  However, I'm pretty certain that this isn't a
> smart antenna array so am unsure that it will gain you much.  Basically,
> your reasoning sounds good to me.
> 
> >
> > There is this guy who is getting a lot of press for is wireless
> > network in Aspen.  That's the first article.  The second article is
> > just interesting, because it is connected to Sun's lab in Aspen.
> > There are a lot of pictures.
> >
> > http://lists.nycwireless.net/pipermail/nycwireless/2001q4/001339.html
> > http://www.key3media.com/interop/atlanta2000/presentations/General_Conference/Wireless/C8_Branscomb.pdf
> 
> Interesting.
> 
> - Wayde
>   (wallen at lug.boulder.co.us)
> 
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