2.4Ghz Rotary Attenuator

renderman · 12-06-2007

So if I'm getting into the site survey thing professionally, I figured that I need something better for direction finding than my laptop and a vagi, but not as insane as the warpack

I remembered the Shmoo groups WiFi Bloodhounds from DC13 that I had the pleasure of actually using in the wireless contest and the best feature was the small size and the rotary attenuator for reducing the gain when you were close (and not to mention the freaky factor of wandering around with a gun shaped thing)

MAKE: Blog: @ DEFCON - The shmoo bloodhound Wi-Fi gun

The rest of the parts are easy, it's the rotary attenuator that's the issue (cylindrical dial thing on the above linked pics). I've got Fab-Corp trying to source me one, but I'm wondering if anyone here knows where to get such a thing without needing to sell your left testical in the process?

Thorn · 12-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by renderman

So if I'm getting into the site survey thing professionally, I figured that I need something better for direction finding than my laptop and a vagi, but not as insane as the warpack

I remembered the Shmoo groups WiFi Bloodhounds from DC13 that I had the pleasure of actually using in the wireless contest and the best feature was the small size and the rotary attenuator for reducing the gain when you were close (and not to mention the freaky factor of wandering around with a gun shaped thing)

MAKE: Blog: @ DEFCON - The shmoo bloodhound Wi-Fi gun

The rest of the parts are easy, it's the rotary attenuator that's the issue (cylindrical dial thing on the above linked pics). I've got Fab-Corp trying to source me one, but I'm wondering if anyone here knows where to get such a thing without needing to sell your left testical in the process?

You may have to sell both the right and the left testicle. Attenuators aren't cheap. Ebay and local hamfests are two choices. A good 0-3GHz variable attenuator will have an MSRP of $100-$300 USD.

streaker69 · 12-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thorn

You may have to sell both the right and the left testicle. Attenuators aren't cheap. Ebay and local hamfests are two choices. A good 0-3GHz variable attenuator will have an MSRP of $100-$300 USD.

Timonium, MD Hamfest is coming up in March.

renderman · 12-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by streaker69

Timonium, MD Hamfest is coming up in March.

Looking for right now. I can write it off as it's a business thing. *Sigh* yet another reason to find my way south; HAM fests

streaker69 · 12-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by renderman

Looking for right now. I can write it off as it's a business thing. *Sigh* yet another reason to find my way south; HAM fests

Hey, come down to here and live. You already dress in black, you'd fit right in with the Amish.

G8tK33per · 12-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by renderman

Looking for right now. I can write it off as it's a business thing. *Sigh* yet another reason to find my way south; HAM fests

The Truth About Maryland's Deer Population

Barry · 12-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by streaker69

Hey, come down to here and live. You already dress in black, you'd fit right in with the Amish.

I think we both dress in almost all black for one reason. We're lazy bastards. I could care less if my underwear and socks turn gray.

renderman · 12-07-2007

So I got a hold of CowboyM who built the original Bloodhounds and he provided the model number and manufacturer of the attenuator he used:

Manual Variable Attenuators

JFW Industries Inc.
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Model 50R-234
Serial #: 399057 0523

Posted here for future generations to discover

DaKahuna · 12-08-2007

So are you serious about building one? Are you going to try and have it for ShmooCon or DefCon? Last but not least - 802.11, bluetooth, or either/both?

renderman · 12-09-2007

My intention is to have something akin to a yellowjacket or the like for rogue hunting, but with open source.

Bluetooth is a very real possibility, problem is, signal strength is'nt commonly reported in most apps.

If it gets built and functional, It'll defiantly be at cons.

On a related note, anyone know of a good place to get a zaurus or ipaq with a pcmcia slot? Preferably cheap?

streaker69 · 12-09-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by renderman

My intention is to have something akin to a yellowjacket or the like for rogue hunting, but with open source.

Bluetooth is a very real possibility, problem is, signal strength is'nt commonly reported in most apps.

If it gets built and functional, It'll defiantly be at cons.

On a related note, anyone know of a good place to get a zaurus or ipaq with a pcmcia slot? Preferably cheap?

Barry or Beak

Barry · 12-09-2007

I have an iPaq 5555, it's internal wifi is hosed though. I have the dual pcmcia sleeve for it as well. I'm not too sure on the batteries though. I know the iPaq's internal is totally dead, not too sure on the sleeve's internal batteries. You could probably source replacements in the web though.

Starpoint · 12-09-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by renderman

My intention is to have something akin to a yellowjacket or the like for rogue hunting, but with open source.

Bluetooth is a very real possibility, problem is, signal strength is'nt commonly reported in most apps.

If it gets built and functional, It'll defiantly be at cons.

On a related note, anyone know of a good place to get a zaurus or ipaq with a pcmcia slot? Preferably cheap?

Render, I have an old Ipaq 3835, with the single PCMCIA battery pack.. a few cables for USB power/Serial interface so you can run the Ipaq off USB power in car, and connect a serial GPS.. battery pack and internal used to give me about 5.5 hours of run time.. got 2 cradles and power cords.. .

make me an offer?

beakmyn · 12-10-2007

The 3800 series is well supported with Familiar Linux, including the PCMCIA. It's a pretty trivial process to get it loaded.

I wish I had a Zaurus.

renderman · 12-14-2007

So I got a quote back from JFW:

$258.50 /each + ~$53 shipping

I'll be looking for alternatives as that's just painful to think about.

Does anyone know if I can get away with an attenuator for a different range? i.e. DC - 3Ghz, or does it have to be tuned for the specific range I'm playing in?

12-06-2007	#1 (permalink)
renderman Drunken Stumbler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Anywhere but Utah Posts: 1,862	2.4Ghz Rotary Attenuator So if I'm getting into the site survey thing professionally, I figured that I need something better for direction finding than my laptop and a vagi, but not as insane as the warpack I remembered the Shmoo groups WiFi Bloodhounds from DC13 that I had the pleasure of actually using in the wireless contest and the best feature was the small size and the rotary attenuator for reducing the gain when you were close (and not to mention the freaky factor of wandering around with a gun shaped thing) MAKE: Blog: @ DEFCON - The shmoo bloodhound Wi-Fi gun The rest of the parts are easy, it's the rotary attenuator that's the issue (cylindrical dial thing on the above linked pics). I've got Fab-Corp trying to source me one, but I'm wondering if anyone here knows where to get such a thing without needing to sell your left testical in the process? __________________ Never drink anything larger than your head! Scaramental Wine Taster for the Church Of WiFi Buy our books! "I reject your reality, and substitute my own!" – Adam Savage CoWF WPA Hash Tables

12-07-2007	#8 (permalink)
renderman Drunken Stumbler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Anywhere but Utah Posts: 1,862	So I got a hold of CowboyM who built the original Bloodhounds and he provided the model number and manufacturer of the attenuator he used: Manual Variable Attenuators JFW Industries Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana, USA Model 50R-234 Serial #: 399057 0523 Posted here for future generations to discover __________________ Never drink anything larger than your head! Scaramental Wine Taster for the Church Of WiFi Buy our books! "I reject your reality, and substitute my own!" – Adam Savage CoWF WPA Hash Tables

12-09-2007	#10 (permalink)
renderman Drunken Stumbler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Anywhere but Utah Posts: 1,862	My intention is to have something akin to a yellowjacket or the like for rogue hunting, but with open source. Bluetooth is a very real possibility, problem is, signal strength is'nt commonly reported in most apps. If it gets built and functional, It'll defiantly be at cons. On a related note, anyone know of a good place to get a zaurus or ipaq with a pcmcia slot? Preferably cheap? __________________ Never drink anything larger than your head! Scaramental Wine Taster for the Church Of WiFi Buy our books! "I reject your reality, and substitute my own!" – Adam Savage CoWF WPA Hash Tables

12-09-2007	#12 (permalink)
Barry Managing the iTards. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,882	I have an iPaq 5555, it's internal wifi is hosed though. I have the dual pcmcia sleeve for it as well. I'm not too sure on the batteries though. I know the iPaq's internal is totally dead, not too sure on the sleeve's internal batteries. You could probably source replacements in the web though. __________________ Never do anything you don't want to explain to the paramedics.

12-10-2007	#14 (permalink)
beakmyn Free Public Wifi Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4,992	The 3800 series is well supported with Familiar Linux, including the PCMCIA. It's a pretty trivial process to get it loaded. I wish I had a Zaurus. __________________ ┌──────────────────────────────┐ ╞ NS Icons Explained\|et hoc genus omne ╡ └──────────────────────────────┘ Creating yesterday's future, Today!

12-08-2007	#9 (permalink)
DaKahuna Dirty Ol' Man Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: If you find out, let me know! Posts: 476	So are you serious about building one? Are you going to try and have it for ShmooCon or DefCon? Last but not least - 802.11, bluetooth, or either/both?

12-14-2007	#15 (permalink)
renderman Drunken Stumbler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Anywhere but Utah Posts: 1,862	So I got a quote back from JFW: $258.50 /each + ~$53 shipping I'll be looking for alternatives as that's just painful to think about. Does anyone know if I can get away with an attenuator for a different range? i.e. DC - 3Ghz, or does it have to be tuned for the specific range I'm playing in? __________________ Never drink anything larger than your head! Scaramental Wine Taster for the Church Of WiFi Buy our books! "I reject your reality, and substitute my own!" – Adam Savage CoWF WPA Hash Tables

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