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Mother · 06-29-2002

1. Where do I begin? What hardware do I require for stumbling?

You need a PC with Windows, a supported card (one with Hermes chipset), and NetStumbler. In the html file that comes with NetStumbler you'll find a list of supported cards.

2. What are the system requirements for stumbling? Will a 386 laptop with FreeBSD do the job?

I'm not too much into FreeBSD, but maybe a 386 doesn't have the horsepower to process the information coming from your card. Search for FreeBSD in the forums.

3. Is stumbling illegal?

Not per se , but check the laws in the place you live. NetStumbler is sending packets to any listening AP, which is not strictly accessing the network, but someone could argue that you're using up radio bandwidth without the owner's authorisation. In any case, if you don't actively join a network, you won't be trespassing, in most countries.

4. What are the best wireless cards to buy right now? Any recommended ones to purchase?

Go for a Lucent/Agere/whatever Orinoco, or one of it's clones.

5. How do I make a home-made antenna? Any sources on the web?

Search the forum for 'Pringles'....no, I'm not kidding.

Theres also been some very ground breaking work in omni antennas in the way of the Mobile Mark/Fab Corp clone, patch antennas and other yagi-ish directionals in the Hombrew Antenna Thread, which is a huge thread that will take a while to get through. Some of the desigs on this thread were 'cloned' designs brought forth by outcast_one, with lots of further disection and discussion by sparafina, lincomatic, and fordem. Thanks to all you guys for pioneering homebrew stuff.

6. What are pigtails?

They are some short, curly things that pigs tend to have right above their ass. No, seriously, they are short lengths of cable that enable you to connect an external antenna to your wireless card. For example, the Orinoco has a propietary connector, so you need the pigtail to plug in an antenna with, for example, a common N or SMA connector.

All the best,

Mother

And remember, use the force (search function), Luke

Asked by mmx. Answered by Mother. ZipperSeven also contributed to this post.

06-29-2002	#31 (permalink)
Mother Too many secrets... Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Barcelona, Spain Posts: 204	Some extremely newbie-ish answers 1. Where do I begin? What hardware do I require for stumbling? You need a PC with Windows, a supported card (one with Hermes chipset), and NetStumbler. In the html file that comes with NetStumbler you'll find a list of supported cards. 2. What are the system requirements for stumbling? Will a 386 laptop with FreeBSD do the job? I'm not too much into FreeBSD, but maybe a 386 doesn't have the horsepower to process the information coming from your card. Search for FreeBSD in the forums. 3. Is stumbling illegal? Not per se , but check the laws in the place you live. NetStumbler is sending packets to any listening AP, which is not strictly accessing the network, but someone could argue that you're using up radio bandwidth without the owner's authorisation. In any case, if you don't actively join a network, you won't be trespassing, in most countries. 4. What are the best wireless cards to buy right now? Any recommended ones to purchase? Go for a Lucent/Agere/whatever Orinoco, or one of it's clones. 5. How do I make a home-made antenna? Any sources on the web? Search the forum for 'Pringles'....no, I'm not kidding. Theres also been some very ground breaking work in omni antennas in the way of the Mobile Mark/Fab Corp clone, patch antennas and other yagi-ish directionals in the Hombrew Antenna Thread, which is a huge thread that will take a while to get through. Some of the desigs on this thread were 'cloned' designs brought forth by outcast_one, with lots of further disection and discussion by sparafina, lincomatic, and fordem. Thanks to all you guys for pioneering homebrew stuff. 6. What are pigtails? They are some short, curly things that pigs tend to have right above their ass. No, seriously, they are short lengths of cable that enable you to connect an external antenna to your wireless card. For example, the Orinoco has a propietary connector, so you need the pigtail to plug in an antenna with, for example, a common N or SMA connector. All the best, Mother And remember, use the force (search function), Luke Asked by mmx. Answered by Mother. ZipperSeven* also contributed to this post.* Last edited by Thorn : 03-20-2003 at 07:39 AM.