Cisco Aironet MMCX card

jsicuran · 11-25-2002

From the fab-corp site regarding the Aironet 350 MMCX card:

"This unit has dual MMCX jacks to hook up external antennas with. No antennas are included."

Has anyone used one of these with two antennas? I have read here of folks discussing Y cables so they can use two antennas. Is this type of card suitable for such an application? I was wondering if I can have a directional on one port and an omni on another? I am still learning but I presummed that for optinal performance the usual configuration is one radio to one antenna 1:1. Why two antenna ports on one adapter???

Thanks....

/JS

Thorn · 11-26-2002

Many dual antenna port cards have a built-in diveristy switch. Some cards have a one antenna port as a combination Transmit and Receive port, and the other port as Receive Only. It depends on the card and intended application(s) (OEM for laptop integration, OEM for AP, retail branding for PCMCIA use, etc.) I'd suggest emailing Sean at Fab-Corp directly for more info, or check the Cisco site for a spec sheet.

vanbo · 11-26-2002

I've got the LMC352, and I use the cheapo Cisco 2.2dbi diversity antenna-- basically just two rubber duckies mounted on a little stand. Not exactly ideal for wardriving, but better than the built-in PCM352. The Cisco Aironet Utility allows you to specify which port does which function-- for example, one can be set to diversity, while the other for receive only, etc, etc. Completely customizable, but I have not actually attemped to hook up two different antenna's.

jsicuran · 11-27-2002

Thanks fellas for the input. The information was very helpful. I may pick one up. I may have a particular application in mind..
See my new thread in the antenna section...

Have a happy turkey day...

/JS

Mother · 12-01-2002

jsicuran,

I have a dual MMCX Cisco 352, and it works wonders. Not with Netstumbler, which isn't handling it too well under W2k/NDIS, but that's besides the point.

You can connect two different antennas to the MMCX connectors, and then tell the card which antenna to use for what. You can set one of them to TX, and the other to RX, for example, or use diversity, where the card will pick the antenna with the best signal automatically. All this is done from the driver.

It's a really good card, I recommend it.

Cheers,

Mother

jsicuran · 12-01-2002

Thanks Mother, I am doing the research for end of year purchases through my business for tax purposes. So, I am looking into some adapters, cable, antennas( I want to make a couple too) and connectors to build my roof top silo as well as some gear foe security audits etc. As a data packet guy, I waited years for this stuff to evolve so I can learn and have some fun. As a tech conslutant I remember in '96 when I was part of the Nortel Consultants program I almost spent bookoo $$$ on the 1mbs FH wireless stuff back then just to learn. Man am I glad I waited...

Thanks again to all who replied...

Oh Thorn, is the Fab-Corp NetStumbler forum discounts still available?

/JS

Thorn · 12-01-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by jsicuran
...Oh Thorn, is the Fab-Corp NetStumbler forum discounts still available?/JS

As far as I know it's still good. A friend got the discount a month ago. To tell the truth, I've never ordered from FAB Corp. Two of my friends have, and had good results. Everyone on these forums that has purchased from them reports excellent gear and support from them.

Contact sean@fab-corp.com, he's the owner. I'm sure that he can tell you if the discount is still available. Just be patient, he's sometimes a tad slow to respond to email.

11-25-2002	#1 (permalink)
jsicuran So let it be written. Join Date: May 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 74	Cisco Aironet MMCX card From the fab-corp site regarding the Aironet 350 MMCX card: "This unit has dual MMCX jacks to hook up external antennas with. No antennas are included." Has anyone used one of these with two antennas? I have read here of folks discussing Y cables so they can use two antennas. Is this type of card suitable for such an application? I was wondering if I can have a directional on one port and an omni on another? I am still learning but I presummed that for optinal performance the usual configuration is one radio to one antenna 1:1. Why two antenna ports on one adapter??? Thanks.... /JS __________________ /JS

11-26-2002	#2 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,429	Many dual antenna port cards have a built-in diveristy switch. Some cards have a one antenna port as a combination Transmit and Receive port, and the other port as Receive Only. It depends on the card and intended application(s) (OEM for laptop integration, OEM for AP, retail branding for PCMCIA use, etc.) I'd suggest emailing Sean at Fab-Corp directly for more info, or check the Cisco site for a spec sheet. __________________ Thorn "Read Altas Shrugged. Compare it to today. Repeat as necessary"

11-27-2002	#4 (permalink)
jsicuran So let it be written. Join Date: May 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 74	Cisco card Thanks fellas for the input. The information was very helpful. I may pick one up. I may have a particular application in mind.. See my new thread in the antenna section... Have a happy turkey day... /JS __________________ /JS

12-01-2002	#5 (permalink)
Mother Too many secrets... Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Barcelona, Spain Posts: 204	Dual MMCX jsicuran, I have a dual MMCX Cisco 352, and it works wonders. Not with Netstumbler, which isn't handling it too well under W2k/NDIS, but that's besides the point. You can connect two different antennas to the MMCX connectors, and then tell the card which antenna to use for what. You can set one of them to TX, and the other to RX, for example, or use diversity, where the card will pick the antenna with the best signal automatically. All this is done from the driver. It's a really good card, I recommend it. Cheers, Mother __________________ Out of paper on drive C: the.firehou.se

12-01-2002	#6 (permalink)
jsicuran So let it be written. Join Date: May 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 74	Thanks Mother, I am doing the research for end of year purchases through my business for tax purposes. So, I am looking into some adapters, cable, antennas( I want to make a couple too) and connectors to build my roof top silo as well as some gear foe security audits etc. As a data packet guy, I waited years for this stuff to evolve so I can learn and have some fun. As a tech conslutant I remember in '96 when I was part of the Nortel Consultants program I almost spent bookoo $$$ on the 1mbs FH wireless stuff back then just to learn. Man am I glad I waited... Thanks again to all who replied... Oh Thorn, is the Fab-Corp NetStumbler forum discounts still available? /JS __________________ /JS

11-26-2002	#3 (permalink)
vanbo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 18	I've got the LMC352, and I use the cheapo Cisco 2.2dbi diversity antenna-- basically just two rubber duckies mounted on a little stand. Not exactly ideal for wardriving, but better than the built-in PCM352. The Cisco Aironet Utility allows you to specify which port does which function-- for example, one can be set to diversity, while the other for receive only, etc, etc. Completely customizable, but I have not actually attemped to hook up two different antenna's.

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