War-walking Antenna?

SaintJC · 09-01-2002

What would make a good war-walking antenna that I could somehow affix to my backpack or hold?

I see that I could get an Omni-directional blade antenna from FAB for $60ish:

2.4 GHz ISM Omni Directional Blade Antenna w/ MC

This ultra thin omni is designed to cover frequencies from 2400 to 2500 MHz with a VSWR of less than 1.5:1. This rugged antenna can fit a wide variety of applications, including office LAN environments, factories, remote telemetry and other harsh environments where a compact, stick-on mount antenna solution is needed. It utilizes a 3M® very high bond tape for quick, easy mounting. Also perfect as a 4.5dBi antenna for notebook computers.

* MC Connector for Lucent ORiNOCO, WaveLAN, Avaya and other PC Cards.
* Rugged, ultra thin housing. Provides durability and minimum visibility.
* Can be used for fixed or mobile applications.

mvario · 09-01-2002

I have the older one FAB used to sell, 4dbi (looks almost the same, I think it was made by MaxRad), and I like it. It's a huge improvement over the built-in Orinoco antenna.

I was sitting downtown in this little courtyard with one side and overhead blocked by a building and picked up 1 AP. I plugged in the blade antenna and another 6 APs showed up.

I pulled off the double-sided tape and put some stick-on Velcro so I can stick it on my laptop or the side of my bag or wherever.

On the other hand I went walking yesterday using a 14dbi panal antenna that FAB used to sell and got great results

SaintJC · 09-01-2002

Thanks for the recomendation. I'd soooo order it but I'm short on cash.

I'm heading down under to Australia for 8 months and I figure it MIGHT be a worthy investment.

damage · 09-01-2002

I got one of the blades you are talking about and use velcro to attach it to the back of my ipaq..however I've found the results to be pretty bloddy poor myself and in some cases I'm getting a better signal with the stock avaya antenna than with the blade.

I looked at the signal gain in NS with and without the blade and it certainly isn;t 4 DB - there are other threads in here on the blade who say the same thing.

I've been tempted to get one of the hypergain 5 db antenna's and mod it to attach to my ipaq.

SaintJC · 09-01-2002

Why do you think the results are WORSE?

damage · 09-01-2002

Signal strength reading were marginally imrpoved but often lower than the standard antenna... I think it may have a lot to do with the fact that even thought the blade is supposed to be omnidirectional you lose good signal on one side by attaching it to something - the orinoco/avaya built in antennas are actually quite good, not as good as a proper omni though. I literally double the ap's I detect with my magmount but it ain't so good for walking.

SaintJC · 09-01-2002

Hmmmm...I'm looking for something good for walking.

damage · 09-01-2002

yeah so was I and trust me this wasn't it...

cost me a fortune to after currency conversion - could have got a good parabolic for less.

Am still looking into a good war walking antenna though.

Toshi · 09-01-2002

SAINT JC,

It is a great idea to get anything you can (while you can) before heading to Australia. The availability of of these types of devices is very limited at present (I hope this will change). I am heading to the US this month and plan return with a few more toys.

Toshi

damage · 09-01-2002

Toshi speaks with much wisdom

SaintJC · 09-01-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Toshi
SAINT JC,

It is a great idea to get anything you can (while you can) before heading to Australia. The availability of of these types of devices is very limited at present (I hope this will change). I am heading to the US this month and plan return with a few more toys.

Toshi

True. I was considering a blade antenna, but now I'm not sure...I've heard less than stellar things.

mvario · 09-01-2002

Damage,

Do you have the 4.5dbi pictured above or the older 4dbi one they carried (http://www.maxrad.com/cgi/maxrad_products_ind.cgi?10071)?

I have the older one and get great results, just curious.

damage · 09-01-2002

I've got the new one, only a month old - could be the difference.

SaintJC · 09-01-2002

Damnit, I guess this is a case of form over function.

damage · 09-01-2002

Does anyone know if you can successfully get an sma to mc adapter to work with the likes of the whip antenna's shown here ?

http://www.eyespyshop.com.au/Receive...ansmitters.htm

The 5 db whip could easily be attached to the back of a pocketpc with some velcro, tape or heat glue.

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09-01-2002	#2 (permalink)
mvario I stumble, therefore I am Join Date: May 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 137	I have the older one FAB used to sell, 4dbi (looks almost the same, I think it was made by MaxRad), and I like it. It's a huge improvement over the built-in Orinoco antenna. I was sitting downtown in this little courtyard with one side and overhead blocked by a building and picked up 1 AP. I plugged in the blade antenna and another 6 APs showed up. I pulled off the double-sided tape and put some stick-on Velcro so I can stick it on my laptop or the side of my bag or wherever. On the other hand I went walking yesterday using a 14dbi panal antenna that FAB used to sell and got great results

09-01-2002	#3 (permalink)
SaintJC "Sinner" Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 108	Thanks for the recomendation. I'd soooo order it but I'm short on cash. I'm heading down under to Australia for 8 months and I figure it MIGHT be a worthy investment.

09-01-2002	#4 (permalink)
damage Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 173	I got one of the blades you are talking about and use velcro to attach it to the back of my ipaq..however I've found the results to be pretty bloddy poor myself and in some cases I'm getting a better signal with the stock avaya antenna than with the blade. I looked at the signal gain in NS with and without the blade and it certainly isn;t 4 DB - there are other threads in here on the blade who say the same thing. I've been tempted to get one of the hypergain 5 db antenna's and mod it to attach to my ipaq.

09-01-2002	#5 (permalink)
SaintJC "Sinner" Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 108	Why do you think the results are WORSE?

09-01-2002	#6 (permalink)
damage Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 173	Signal strength reading were marginally imrpoved but often lower than the standard antenna... I think it may have a lot to do with the fact that even thought the blade is supposed to be omnidirectional you lose good signal on one side by attaching it to something - the orinoco/avaya built in antennas are actually quite good, not as good as a proper omni though. I literally double the ap's I detect with my magmount but it ain't so good for walking.

09-01-2002	#7 (permalink)
SaintJC "Sinner" Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 108	Hmmmm...I'm looking for something good for walking.

09-01-2002	#8 (permalink)
damage Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 173	yeah so was I and trust me this wasn't it... cost me a fortune to after currency conversion - could have got a good parabolic for less. Am still looking into a good war walking antenna though.

09-01-2002	#9 (permalink)
Toshi ARP!.....(excuse me) Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 34	SAINT JC, It is a great idea to get anything you can (while you can) before heading to Australia. The availability of of these types of devices is very limited at present (I hope this will change). I am heading to the US this month and plan return with a few more toys. Toshi

09-01-2002	#10 (permalink)
damage Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 173	Toshi speaks with much wisdom

09-01-2002	#12 (permalink)
mvario I stumble, therefore I am Join Date: May 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 137	Damage, Do you have the 4.5dbi pictured above or the older 4dbi one they carried (http://www.maxrad.com/cgi/maxrad_products_ind.cgi?10071)? I have the older one and get great results, just curious.

09-01-2002	#13 (permalink)
damage Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 173	I've got the new one, only a month old - could be the difference.

09-01-2002	#14 (permalink)
SaintJC "Sinner" Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 108	Damnit, I guess this is a case of form over function.

09-01-2002	#15 (permalink)
damage Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 173	Does anyone know if you can successfully get an sma to mc adapter to work with the likes of the whip antenna's shown here ? http://www.eyespyshop.com.au/Receive...ansmitters.htm The 5 db whip could easily be attached to the back of a pocketpc with some velcro, tape or heat glue.