My latest setup

Dave Joyce · 04-24-2002

here are a few pics of my setup

http://www.dew-drop.com/wireless/

Only thing that I'm missing still is a GPS.. . Still short on money.
It's a pretty simple deal.

Gateway P3 Laptop with DC-to-AC power inverter
15' USB cable running to the trunk
ORiNOCO Gold USB Client in the trunk
IBM 4dBi gain antenna mounted on the car's origonal antenna mounting point (I have an MP3 deck, no need for FM

)

...questions, comments, and suggestiong are welcome

Stunod7 · 04-25-2002

Nice rig, I like what you've done with your antenna on the rear. Couple of comments:

#1.) Bravo on the antenna, that kicks (_|_) I'd do the same, but I need my talk radio from time to time.

#2.) I really like what you've done with the USB cable connecting back to the ORiNOCO Gold USB Client in the trunk. But just as much as I like it, I dislike it as well. I'm a bit of a fanatic and I'm going to need my USB port for splitting my GPS data cable so that I can plot with NetStumbler and use MapPoint2002 to keep track of every street I've stumbled. More cables... But more functionality

#3.) Wait... No, only 2.

If you'd like any info on my rig-in-progress let me know. I don't have any pictures yet, and I'm working on getting a different laptop. Right now I'm using my company one, and since I don't plan on benig here much longer... I'd better buy one while I still get employee rates.

I just picked up a Garmin eTrex Venture for $169.andchange from Circuit City... I found it for as cheap from $139 from http://shop.store.yahoo.com/thegpsworld/index.html They sell under the MSRP, so you'll have to actually add one to your cart to get the price. I just couldn't wait... I needed to pick my GPS up as soon as I got my tax refund in

Ok, time to do some work... Or something like that.

Dave Joyce · 04-25-2002

Ah ha. . I have 2 USB ports on my Laptop, and I plan on getting a serial based GPS so I can use it with Linux too.

I had several reasons for going USB.
1) I wanted the antenna mounted in on the stock mount for the car, and I didn't want to run RF cable up to the front, too much loss.
2) I've already broken THREE of the friggin ORiNOCO connectors. At ten bucks a pop, I can't afford to keep repairing the cable!

It's much simpler for me to just have the card in a PCMCIA to USB bridge ($35 on ebay) in the trunk.

Do you think the antenna would be less noticable if it was painted black?

David Joyce
Network Security Engineer
SafeSectors, inc.

carbolic · 04-25-2002

I really dig that antenna. I think it looks great in white, like the car. The only real trick you need is to run the wire under the antenna, through the fender, so it doesn't show on the trunk lip.

Also, your idea of using USB for the long run is very clever.

I've seen a lot of weird antennas on cars lately. Many I couldn't figure out. Many are cell antennas for onstar, etc. Some are ham radio.

I even saw one guy years ago with a shark-fin antenna like airplanes have. Turned out to be just decoration, not a CRM-114 discrimator.

I'm sure yours won't attract much attention. But if you are really concerned, get a whip antena without a radome.

I wish I could mount an antenna like that, but my FM antenna is in the rear glass :)

lincomatic · 04-26-2002

i have an etrex camo. one thing i don't like about the etrex line is that it only updates once every 2 seconds in NMEA mode. you can get 1 sec updates, but only in Garmin mode, and most s/w such as netstumbler doesn't support that. Garmin's tech support says they don't have any plans to fix this, either. the plain etrex can be had for $99 if you look hard enough. i got mine from sports chalet.

lowereastsider · 04-27-2002

Dave,

Could you explain how you connected an external antenna to the Orinoco USB?

Also, what do you think of the Orinoco's performance?

I'm considering getting one and using a USB extender to connect it via Cat5 to my computer over about 100'

Thanks!

Dave Joyce · 04-27-2002

I just responded to your other thread on that

Your only problem is that the USB 1.1 Spec states a maximum of 5 meters (16.5') between devices. To make a 100' run you will need seven USB Hubs or get an Active range extension cable.

http://www.comready.com/gwc5musbacex.html

That one can handle 40 ~ 80 feet. .

How this helps you.

lowereastsider · 04-27-2002

Got your other reply -- Thanks.

Problem is, not only do I need 100ft, but I need to use Cat5 (which is already in the walls).

I was thinking about looking at some other type of PCMCIA adapter/bridge that would connect right to the Cat5 or Ethernet.

carbolic · 04-27-2002

What bothers me is how many more wires it takes to go wireless.

Thorn · 04-27-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by lowereastsider
<snip>... I was thinking about looking at some other type of PCMCIA adapter/bridge that would connect right to the Cat5 or Ethernet.

lowereastsider, the average low-end AP is little more than an Ethernet to PCMCIA card interface. Sometimes with a minimal processor of some type. Some of the cheaper ones might be just what your looking for; Linksys, D-Link, etc. come to mind.

Cheers,

lowereastsider · 04-27-2002

Thorn,

This is very interesting.

Can an AP be used as a client?

I have a Compex WP11 -- any suggestion how to use it as a client?

If not, I would get another AP, as long as I could use it as a client.

Thanks!

Thorn · 04-27-2002

To tell you the truth, I don't know, having never tried. I do know that the hardware is close to what you are looking for. The Linksys WAP11s can be a client to another WAP11. Whether you can get them to scan the channels and and send the NS beacons might be the challenge.

Cheers,

Stunod7 · 04-28-2002

I know this is off the topic, but where did you get your MP3 deck at and who makes it (Manufacture/Model)?

Dave Joyce · 04-28-2002

It's an Aiwa CDC-MP3 - It was $299 two years ago for Christmas. I think my wife got it from Crutchfield. I LOVE it, but it has no anti-skip buffer. But hey, I get 8 ~ 14 hours of MP3's on one disc.

My wife hates it because I have a "freeway driving" disc that's all trance / techno. . Paul Van Dyk, BT, PPK, Paul Okenfold, etc. . She goes pretty much insane after the 4 hour drive to Vegas

mikey · 05-27-2002

Nice pic Carbolic! I am using a 5dB Maxrad antenna on my truck for "research" purposes. I chose that one because it has an enclosed phasing coil, and looks darn close to a PCS antenna. As an RF engineer, the exposed coil at 2.4 GHz would stick out like a red flag to me. Not that my truck doesn't already do that with all the other antennas I have on it!

As soon as I get the digital camera back from my wife, I'll post a photo!

Regards to all,

Mikey

04-24-2002	#1 (permalink)
Dave Joyce Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rancho Cucamonga California - (909) Posts: 39	My latest setup here are a few pics of my setup http://www.dew-drop.com/wireless/ Only thing that I'm missing still is a GPS.. . Still short on money. It's a pretty simple deal. Gateway P3 Laptop with DC-to-AC power inverter 15' USB cable running to the trunk ORiNOCO Gold USB Client in the trunk IBM 4dBi gain antenna mounted on the car's origonal antenna mounting point (I have an MP3 deck, no need for FM ) ...questions, comments, and suggestiong are welcome Last edited by Dave Joyce : 04-24-2002 at 05:00 PM.

04-25-2002	#2 (permalink)
Stunod7 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 20	Nice rig, I like what you've done with your antenna on the rear. Couple of comments: #1.) Bravo on the antenna, that kicks (_\|_) I'd do the same, but I need my talk radio from time to time. #2.) I really like what you've done with the USB cable connecting back to the ORiNOCO Gold USB Client in the trunk. But just as much as I like it, I dislike it as well. I'm a bit of a fanatic and I'm going to need my USB port for splitting my GPS data cable so that I can plot with NetStumbler and use MapPoint2002 to keep track of every street I've stumbled. More cables... But more functionality #3.) Wait... No, only 2. If you'd like any info on my rig-in-progress let me know. I don't have any pictures yet, and I'm working on getting a different laptop. Right now I'm using my company one, and since I don't plan on benig here much longer... I'd better buy one while I still get employee rates. I just picked up a Garmin eTrex Venture for $169.andchange from Circuit City... I found it for as cheap from $139 from http://shop.store.yahoo.com/thegpsworld/index.html They sell under the MSRP, so you'll have to actually add one to your cart to get the price. I just couldn't wait... I needed to pick my GPS up as soon as I got my tax refund in Ok, time to do some work... Or something like that. __________________ Hmm... Cisco Hmm... Wireless Hmmmmmm.... Wireless Cisco...

04-26-2002	#5 (permalink)
lincomatic Squaaawk! WiFi! WiFi! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tinsel Town Posts: 1,682	i have an etrex camo. one thing i don't like about the etrex line is that it only updates once every 2 seconds in NMEA mode. you can get 1 sec updates, but only in Garmin mode, and most s/w such as netstumbler doesn't support that. Garmin's tech support says they don't have any plans to fix this, either. the plain etrex can be had for $99 if you look hard enough. i got mine from sports chalet. __________________ ~lincomatic

04-27-2002	#6 (permalink)
lowereastsider Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 27	Orinono and external antenna question Dave, Could you explain how you connected an external antenna to the Orinoco USB? Also, what do you think of the Orinoco's performance? I'm considering getting one and using a USB extender to connect it via Cat5 to my computer over about 100' Thanks!

04-27-2002	#7 (permalink)
Dave Joyce Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rancho Cucamonga California - (909) Posts: 39	I just responded to your other thread on that Your only problem is that the USB 1.1 Spec states a maximum of 5 meters (16.5') between devices. To make a 100' run you will need seven USB Hubs or get an Active range extension cable. http://www.comready.com/gwc5musbacex.html That one can handle 40 ~ 80 feet. . How this helps you. __________________ David Joyce, CSSA Network Security Engineer SafeSectors, Inc. http://www.wirelesstalk.net/

04-25-2002	#3 (permalink)
Dave Joyce Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rancho Cucamonga California - (909) Posts: 39	Ah ha. . I have 2 USB ports on my Laptop, and I plan on getting a serial based GPS so I can use it with Linux too. I had several reasons for going USB. 1) I wanted the antenna mounted in on the stock mount for the car, and I didn't want to run RF cable up to the front, too much loss. 2) I've already broken THREE of the friggin ORiNOCO connectors. At ten bucks a pop, I can't afford to keep repairing the cable! It's much simpler for me to just have the card in a PCMCIA to USB bridge ($35 on ebay) in the trunk. Do you think the antenna would be less noticable if it was painted black? David Joyce Network Security Engineer SafeSectors, inc.

04-27-2002	#8 (permalink)
lowereastsider Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 27	USB extension Got your other reply -- Thanks. Problem is, not only do I need 100ft, but I need to use Cat5 (which is already in the walls). I was thinking about looking at some other type of PCMCIA adapter/bridge that would connect right to the Cat5 or Ethernet.

04-27-2002	#9 (permalink)
carbolic Move Zig Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 107	wireless What bothers me is how many more wires it takes to go wireless. __________________ www.SoCalWUG.org

04-27-2002	#11 (permalink)
lowereastsider Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 27	AP Thorn, This is very interesting. Can an AP be used as a client? I have a Compex WP11 -- any suggestion how to use it as a client? If not, I would get another AP, as long as I could use it as a client. Thanks!

04-27-2002	#12 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,084	To tell you the truth, I don't know, having never tried. I do know that the hardware is close to what you are looking for. The Linksys WAP11s can be a client to another WAP11. Whether you can get them to scan the channels and and send the NS beacons might be the challenge. Cheers, __________________ Thorn "I'm The Doctor. I'm a Time Lord. I am from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation Kasterborous. I'm 903 years old and I am the man who is going to save your lives and all 6 billion people on the planet below... You got a problem with that?"

04-28-2002	#13 (permalink)
Stunod7 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 20	I know this is off the topic, but where did you get your MP3 deck at and who makes it (Manufacture/Model)? __________________ Hmm... Cisco Hmm... Wireless Hmmmmmm.... Wireless Cisco...

04-28-2002	#14 (permalink)
Dave Joyce Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rancho Cucamonga California - (909) Posts: 39	It's an Aiwa CDC-MP3 - It was $299 two years ago for Christmas. I think my wife got it from Crutchfield. I LOVE it, but it has no anti-skip buffer. But hey, I get 8 ~ 14 hours of MP3's on one disc. My wife hates it because I have a "freeway driving" disc that's all trance / techno. . Paul Van Dyk, BT, PPK, Paul Okenfold, etc. . She goes pretty much insane after the 4 hour drive to Vegas __________________ David Joyce, CSSA Network Security Engineer SafeSectors, Inc. http://www.wirelesstalk.net/

05-27-2002	#15 (permalink)
mikey Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: ga Posts: 9	mobile antennas Nice pic Carbolic! I am using a 5dB Maxrad antenna on my truck for "research" purposes. I chose that one because it has an enclosed phasing coil, and looks darn close to a PCS antenna. As an RF engineer, the exposed coil at 2.4 GHz would stick out like a red flag to me. Not that my truck doesn't already do that with all the other antennas I have on it! As soon as I get the digital camera back from my wife, I'll post a photo! Regards to all, Mikey

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