Brian Gallagher wrote:
Buy a higher gain antenna. Better yet, buy two. One for the client
and one for the WAP. I've used these [1] in the past and they are
well worth the money. Gained an extra 200 feet in one direction and a
solid signal through three walls in th other. If you watch you can
get them for < 15 shipped after rebate. Or you could always build
your own antenna...
I would like to have a conversation with you about antennas. Ben
recommended a bridge and I appreciate that offer, but this wireless
share is transitory. Wireless bridges are generally expensive and if
the share situation changes I could end up with a bridge to nowhere,
so to speak.
Buy a WRT54GL (The 'L' is important). They run ~$50-$60. Replace the OS
with one of the 'enhanced' versions. I know that they will do bridging
[1]. The nice thing with this unit is when you are done you can either
use it as a wifi/firewall or sell it easily.
The picture of the high gain antenna that you suggest show the antenna
on a pedestal, held down with a nut. Do I remove the nut and fasten
antenna onto the post of the WAP w/ its antenna removed or is there
some connecting hardware not shown?
The Antenna is on pedestal with a short cable, maybe 24". You can get
longer cables, but as I understand it, the longer the cable the more
signal loss, but don't quote me on that. My knowledge of radio antennas
is all experimental. The antenna can be mounted to the wall using
screws, but I always just set it next to the WAP or on top of the
computer. If you want something attached I know that a number of people
make screw on replacement antennas but it all depends the card/WAP you
are using and the antenna connection. Personally the screw on types
never seem to work that well behind the computer. I always had better
luck when they were above the case. On the WAP, they seem to work OK.
Building an antenna sounds interesting, do you have "hands on"
experience there? I would need some tech help on that.
Google is your friend. You can google the word cantenna [2]. This link
[3] was buried in my list of 'things I want to look at when I have
time'. It has info on a bunch of antennas.
What card are you using?
I have four cards, all D-link. I have no allegiance to D-Link, I just
bought a set, on sale: wireless router, PCI and USB cards when I got
started looking into wireless. I am working on the assumption that I
have to test these cards under Windows to prove a "known good" status
before delving into the Linux unknown.
DWL-G510 (PCI) this card had a history of flakyness under WinMe (hey,
its Me what did I expect. I haven't tried it under XP. The one thing
PCI does seem to have is greater range!)
DWL-G520 (PCI) this card was found in a computer by side of the road
that some Frat Boys had take a baseball bat to. Status unknown.
I don't know what to say to this....
DWL-G120 (USB) this card is the one I use primarily. It has a long
dongle cord and I have it run up the wall close to the ceiling. When
I was playing with setting it up with Ubuntu I ran into the "which rev
is the chipset issue." I chickened out on opening the housing to view
the chipset, as this is my web access, unless I want to sit in the
cold garage and I don't.
DWL-G122 (USB) this card in promising. Ubuntu showed a Marvel
chipset, if I remember correctly. The issue with these thumb drive
type wireless cards is signal range; and with a short dongle cord to a
pedestal base, I can't work the antenna directionality as I would like.
USB extension cables are cheap... The other issue is that you usually
can't replace the antennas on USB NICs. So if you go for the USB then
your best be would be to move the device around until you get a better
signal.
Give me till after the holidays, I would like to revisit this
discussion and solve this problem once and for all. Also, I got a
how-to specific to this DWL-122 card and Ubuntu and it mentioned the
software setup. I'll have to find that documentation.
As with everything Linux, while I've been frittering, someone has
already solved the issue and I just need to update my OS version, etc,
etc. will probably be the case.
Here is my question: should I stop worrying about virus protection
and make implementing Linux wireless my top priority, because virus
threats are low under Linux; Therefore, would I be better off
running Linux, with no virus protection, then to keep working with
windows and outdated AVG software?
That's up to you. If you are going to keep using windows, then get an
A/V solution. Also, make sure you are running Firefox and Thunderbird.
I am running Firefox and Thunderbird.
Good man.
-Garl
[1] http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless_Bridge
[2]
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1B2GGGL_enUS175&q=cantenna
[3] http://www.seattlewireless.net/AntennaHowTo
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