Hello again list,
I decided to check this business with my PCMCIA adapter and ambicom card
once and for all. I received some interesting results which may solve a
riddle or two.
I placed a standard flash card in my adapter and was able to access all
files and folders on the card I tried. I figured all was well with my
adapter.
I then placed my ambicom card into the adapter and put both card and
adapter into the side PCMCIA slot as one would normally do. I received a
card not recognized message so I reset my BN. I then went into the
connectivity menu, slected wireless option and turned wireless on. I
connected with my existing configuration. I tried going to a web site and
got the "cannot find server message"! I tried downloading my Email and got
some kind of error message. I decided to check the active connection
details at this point. The IP header address was identical to what it had
been before so decided all was well for the most part. I checked signal
strength and it was minus 59 DBM when the card was in the adapter. I
turned my BN ninety degrees so that the card would face in the same
direction as if it were in the back card slot. It was still reading minus
59 DBM. I removed both card and adapter from the side PCMCIA slot and
placed the ambicom card in the back slot. I again had to reset my BN so it
would recognize the card from the back slot. As I pointed out, the IP
header address was identical as if I never changed anything. The signal
strength however was minus 51 DBM. I was able to connect easily to a web
site and download Email with no difficulty. I was told my small bedroom
would be a marginal site for any wireless connection. The same was said
for my back yard swing, yet I have been able to download Email and go on
web sites with no difficulty when the card is in the back slot. I never
have had difficulty with marginal connections anywhere in my house or yard
when the card is in the back slot. Remember, the signal strength was minus
59 DBM in the side slot and minus 51 DBM in the flash card back slot. No
doubt the side slot would work if I were in a better part of the house I'm
certain. I did both tests from my small bedroom in my house which I was
told is a marginal area for a good wireless connection, yet I connect with
no difficulty when using the back slot. If I were to hazzard a guess as to
the difference, I'd say the card isn't getting the voltage it needs when
in the adapter. The back flash card slot allows the card to operate with
the proper voltage which to me accounts for the difference in signal
strength. I don't feel one is hurting anything when using the card out of
the side slot but the card isn't performing with optimum performance. I'm
convinced that the card works much better in the back slot than it does in
the side slot with adapter. My explanation may not be correct but I think
my results indicate that the card will have optimum performance from the
back slot. I'd bet money on it! You can make your checks payable to . . .
just kidding!
Jim Aldrich
- [Braillenote] Ambicom card with adapter revisited James Aldrich
-
