Alfa 500mW versus AirPcap Classic

mai3 · 04-14-2008

Hey,

Considering two wireless devices to use for in-bagpack warwalking with an Asus EEE 4G + Haicom HI-204 III USB GPS. Based on what I've read online, I'm leaning towards the Alfa 500mW, but I'd like your opinions...

Alfa 500mW USB Wlan Adapter (AWUS036H)

- Cheap: $60 approx.
- RP-SMA external antenna jack
- Compatible with linux and windows (and relevant wireless applications)
- Supposedly impressive wireless range on included rubber duck antenna

AirPcap Classic

- Small (only an USB stick)
- Compatible with many relevant wireless applications
- Windows only
- Expensive: $200 approx.

I kinda liked the AirPcap device at first, but when you think about it, it's kind of expensive, not compatible with linux and supposedly has a limited range. Especially considering the EEE already has a built-in Atheros AR5007EG 802.11b/g, what's the improvement? Anybody got experience, positive or negative, with the AirPcap??? Or opinions on the Alfa 500mW for that matter?

Thanks!

renderman · 04-14-2008

The Alfa will suck your battery like a high class whore. There's a reason it needs 2 USB connections to power. The eeePC likely would'nt last long on battery.

theprez98 · 04-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by renderman

The Alfa will suck your battery like a high class whore. There's a reason it needs 2 USB connections to power. The eeePC likely would'nt last long on battery.

Actually, the Alfa only requires both USB ports if you're using USB 1.0/1.1. It will work fine with just one port using USB 2.0.

renderman · 04-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by theprez98

Actually, the Alfa only requires both USB ports if you're using USB 1.0/1.1. It will work fine with just one port using USB 2.0.

Ah, I forgot they upped the current on 2.0. Still, it's going to suck alot of juice.

Keep in mind (I presume your running Kismet) that in monitor mode, the wattage of the radio does'nt matter, just the sensitvity. Might want to find something lower power that you can jam a bigger antenna on (or mod) and go that way.

mai3 · 04-15-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by renderman

Might want to find something lower power that you can jam a bigger antenna on (or mod) and go that way.

Any suggestions?

The things that are important to me are that it's portable, has a good range and indeed (good point) doesn't suck too much battery power. A trade-off is inevitable, so portability (for in-bagpack warwalking) is the prerequisite here. Price is less important (but not irrelevant

).

DaKahuna · 04-15-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mai3

Any suggestions?

The things that are important to me are that it's portable, has a good range and indeed (good point) doesn't suck too much battery power. A trade-off is inevitable, so portability (for in-bagpack warwalking) is the prerequisite here. Price is less important (but not irrelevant

).

I find that my EEE PC is fine with the internal antenna for wardriving. I simply wrote a script that automates putting the Atheros card in the monitor mode, loads Dutch's forked gpsd driver and starts kismet. I get about two to two and a half hours on battery with this set up and that is with the BU-303 USB GPS puck.

Unless you have a very specific need to use something other than the default card and built in antenna's, I'd save the money, especially if you are going to be running on battery.

mai3 · 04-17-2008

Yeah, I will take that suggestion to heart. Especially since right now I'm still waiting on my EEE (distribution has been really **** around here).

But feel free to still share your hands-on experiences with either the Alfa 500mW or the AirPcap.

DaKahuna · 04-18-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mai3

But feel free to still share your hands-on experiences with either the Alfa 500mW or the AirPcap.

Very hard to do when I do not have either of those items.

04-14-2008	#1 (permalink)
mai3 rebmeM deretsigeR Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3	Alfa 500mW versus AirPcap Classic Hey, Considering two wireless devices to use for in-bagpack warwalking with an Asus EEE 4G + Haicom HI-204 III USB GPS. Based on what I've read online, I'm leaning towards the Alfa 500mW, but I'd like your opinions... Alfa 500mW USB Wlan Adapter (AWUS036H) - Cheap: $60 approx. - RP-SMA external antenna jack - Compatible with linux and windows (and relevant wireless applications) - Supposedly impressive wireless range on included rubber duck antenna AirPcap Classic - Small (only an USB stick) - Compatible with many relevant wireless applications - Windows only - Expensive: $200 approx. I kinda liked the AirPcap device at first, but when you think about it, it's kind of expensive, not compatible with linux and supposedly has a limited range. Especially considering the EEE already has a built-in Atheros AR5007EG 802.11b/g, what's the improvement? Anybody got experience, positive or negative, with the AirPcap??? Or opinions on the Alfa 500mW for that matter? Thanks!

04-14-2008	#2 (permalink)
renderman Drunken Stumbler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Anywhere but Utah Posts: 1,794	The Alfa will suck your battery like a high class whore. There's a reason it needs 2 USB connections to power. The eeePC likely would'nt last long on battery. __________________ Never drink anything larger than your head! Scaramental Wine Taster for the Church Of WiFi Buy our book: RFID Security "I reject your reality, and substitute my own!" – Adam Savage CoWF WPA Hash Tables

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04-17-2008	#7 (permalink)
mai3 rebmeM deretsigeR Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3	Yeah, I will take that suggestion to heart. Especially since right now I'm still waiting on my EEE (distribution has been really **** around here). But feel free to still share your hands-on experiences with either the Alfa 500mW or the AirPcap.