Fwiw, with these Proxim Harmony APs so cheap currently, I couldn't resist buying one and pulling it apart in the hope we could adapt some for backhaul / relay use in our congested neighborhoods.
The pretty version of my writeup with links and pics is here: http://socalfreenet.org/proxim8571 . The text-only version follows below. Enjoy! michael (http://SoCalFreenet.org) === text follows ==== As 802.11b becomes more and more congested, we're looking at alternatives to use for relay or backhaul links. Price is always an issue, so we're considering 802.11a gear which thanks to 802.11g now seems to be largely ignored in the consumer realm and is thus sometimes quite cheap. Here's some pictures of the inside of the Proxim Harmony 802.11a AP with removable antennas: This radio was recently available for $15 + shipping and tax (originally $600). Its features, well documented in the manual include: detachable antennas using SMA-female connectors (not RP-SMA) uses dhcp by default then a web interface for config supports channels 56,60 and 64 only supports SNMP (disabled by default) allows config for RTS/CTS and fragmentation has optional integral POE (but its NOT standard), see page 26 Getting inside was a little tricky. The screws are some special type with an outside pattern and inside hump that makes using a screwdriver, torx or hex key impossible. However by drilling out the center hump with a 5/64 bit, its possible to then use a 5/64 hex (allen) key to remove the screws. Failing that you can easily drill out the screw head - but then its hard to get the cover back on. POE is supported, sort of. Its designed to be used with the Harmony Power System which supplies 24VDC with ethernet pins 4-5 DC+ and 7-8 DC-. Thus a regular 48V POE is likely to be problemmatic (though I don't pretend to understand the POE spec in any detail!). It definitely should be ok to use for short runs with a homebrew POE adapter like ours where we'll reuse the supplied PS which is marked 12VDC but measures 14V under load. Having the wiring already internal to the AP saves building the splitter part of the injector. -- general wireless list, a bawug thing <http://www.bawug.org/> [un]subscribe: http://lists.bawug.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless
