I'm new so a little curious.. I went a stumblin' for the first time tonight, very cool, lots of fun.. I was just wondering how much the external antenna helps? I was able to pick up about 15-20 waps with just the orinoco gold nic.. does the antenna really make that much difference? Just thought I'd ask before I drop the $70 usd.

Thanks.

Brandon

Let me just say this: with an antenna mounted on the roof of your car, there is no comparison. I too had the Orinoco in my carseat and was amazed on how many AP's that it was actually receiving sitting there below the window level. But an external is a must... you'll be amazed.

I bought mine from sean @ fab-corp.com or you can scan e-bay for antennas.

I'm using the little 5 inch mag-mount, 5dbi gain version. You'll also need to get the pig-tail adapter for the Orinoco card.

Doug
kd4moj@kd4moj.org

I agree. I just got the 5db magnetic Fab-corp antenna and it's awesome... I don't know how it does it, since the thing is downright tiny, but it's very powerful.

Highly recommended.

At the last NS meeting in Tampa, I was told that I had logged an AP on the 12th floor of an office building!

GET AN ANTENNA!

Tron Of Borg

This antenna roxors. I had an Orinoco range-extender in my back window for a while and it nabbed quite a few APs. But with the rooftop antenna, I'm picking up so many more. Haven't worked out exact numbers, but it seems like twice as many.

This little 5db omni from Fab-Corp: I was surprised at how short it is, It's only about 4" or 5" tall or so. They didn't mention that on their site.

Also, don't forget to mention you found out about them here at Netstumbler.com. They'll give you a hefty discount.

(I know it sounds like I work there or something, but I don't.. I'm just a satisfied customer.)

It sounds like this little antenna works really well.

I looked at the product info, and this little antenna has it's own ground plane and doesn't have to be sitting on a metal surface. This means that the antenna can be used as a portable antenna, like in a backpack.

Has anyone done any statistical test comparison, comparing the number of discovered Access Points with the antenna vs without the antenna?

Question to carbolic:
You mentioned a rooftop antenna and you also mentioned the 5 dBi Magnetic Mount Omni Antenna.

Which rooftop antenna are you using?
Or are you using the little antenna as a rooftop antenna?

DSLBiker

P.S. With all of the glory this little antenna is getting, I am going to order it.

I sent fab-corp an email and I'm waiting to hear back, but I'm definitely going to order it, thanks for the comments!

I normally use a Lucent range extender antenna mounted on the roof for Netstumbling. I recently bought a 5dbi mag mount antenna from electro comm (http://www.maxrad.com/maxrad_products/broadband/2-6ghz/html/24ghz_ism_magnetic_mount_omnidirectional_antennas_ bmmg_series.sht). I really wanted to like this antenna. However, the Lucent antenna easily outperforms it. I suspect it will also do a better job than the one fab- com sells. Can anyone do a fair comparison of the fab comm antenna with the Lucent one (ex. mounted in the same place, etc)?

I have been using a few of the smaller antenna's...

First was the Orinoco Range extender. Only being able to use the Orinoco connection manager I noticed a 3 DB gain in the link test. This is an average.

Second was the flat omni directional antenna thats supposed to velcro to the top of the laptop or something.... I had a rough time getting it to be still and it fluctuated the results... rough estimate was between 4-5

The third was the magnet mount antenna from fab-corp. It rocked.. they said its a 5DB antenna .. I think they might be adding the 9 feet of cable or something ... because I see a 6 DB gain.

these tests were performed in my house. The Lucent rg1100 AP onthe first floor center at the back of the house and the antennas were on the second floor center of the bedroom on the floor.

this is the antenna I use in the car now... its small but between this antenna and the rang extender I would say that the magnet mount anteanna is picking up at least 2-3 more AP's than I did with the range extender and the other flat omni .. but it is on top of the car.........

there are some things that need to be noted...

the Orinoco range extender is only a 3DB gain, the other antennas are 4.5 / 5 DB gain.

these particular tests were not performed outside where the gain could be greater.

More technically speaking... if there is a greater gain the greater chance of finding that obscure AP....

thats what I have done since I found this site....

OH BTW ... is anyone breaking these pigtails >?< I have broke 4. its getting expensive.. the next step is to solder the damn wire straight to the orinoco card... (yuck)

please let me know who's breaking them and how you're fixing them ? or your setup ?? please! ?

thanks

Don't let FAB rip you off. These antennas are made by Mobile Mark and can be found for $49 at www.wireless-telecom.com

(Possibly less elsewhere...)

Thanks o0shozbots0o. See if you can try them both (mounted in the same position). The Lucent antenna is 5dbi gain. You loose 2.5db in the cable/ connector. Very similar to 10+ feet of lmr240/195 + pigtail/ connector losses on the fab com antenna.
Hey "don't be a tool"... The company you are pimping may have a lower price, but what are we supposed to do with a TNC connector? Do we have to hack it off and crimp on a N connector, or buy an adapter to attatch it to a normal N male pigtail? Not such a good deal eh?

I was concerned about breaking the pigtails myself.. Someone had mentioned using a small binder clip to secure it.. I had thought about using a glue gun (ugly, I know) but wasn't sure about how easy removing the glue (i'm thinking hair dryer) would be if it did break anyways. Maybe electrical tape? Anyone out there have a good method?

Hey o0shozbots0o

I was thinking about the Pigtail breaking. I have not seen one yet so the next suggestion may sound absurd or it may be a good idea

How about putting epoxy over a portion of the connector, then putting heatshrink tubing over that?

DSLBiker

re: The prior post, I was referring to the solution performed on a new pigtail not on a broken one.

DSLBiker

I've started using this, so I don't know how long it will last. So far it has worked well. Cheap, too.

Buy one of those "Report Binders" which has a double clear sheet, and a plastic spine. If you can, find one that is made to hold about thirty pages. The spine should be a V shape, with the opening on the point of the V.

Cut a piece of the spine to the width of the card. Place the pigtail on the connector. Slip you new clip over the end of the card. Voila! The plastic spine holds everything in place, and won't damage the card or the pigtail.

Maybe I should sell these on cheezy commericals. "Thorn's Amazing Pigtail Clip! Only $19.95! Call now!"

Cheers,
Thorn