Deciding Between Two Different Kits -- Advice Much Appreciated!

StumblinStumblr · 04-30-2006

Hello everyone!

I'm currently deciding between two kits, and would truly appreciate your thoughts on my two options.

The two kits are as follows:

1) Buffalo WLI-CB-G54HP and accompanying 7dB antenna
http://cgi.ebay.com/Platinum-MIMO-Pe...QQcmdZViewItem

2) Orinoco Gold Classic Pro and accompanying 7dB antenna
http://cgi.ebay.com/Orinoco-Gold-Cla...QQcmdZViewItem

I have three primary concerns:

1) I am not sure if the Orinoco Gold Classic "Pro" is the same thing as the coveted Orinoco Gold Classic that is so often recommended in this forum. Does anyone know if they are one and the same?

2) I will be wardriving internationally in Asia (Taiwan, to be specific) and don't know if 14 channels are required to do that. The Buffalo only supports 11 channels. Does anyone have any thoughts on this specific aspect?

3) The Buffalo is advertised to pump out 100mW. Does anyone have any thoughts as to how the Buffalo combo might compare with the Orinoco combo in terms of ability to grab a signal and hold?

Edit: By the way, I did a search for the Buffalo's model number, but it appears all posts made regarding Buffalo cards refer to slightly older models (without the "HP" at the end of the "G54HP" designation). That is why I thought I'd ask for some more up-to-date advice

Thank you so much for taking the time to help me!

kiss2000 · 05-01-2006

You might want to read this.

And if you are going to be using NetStumbler the only card that is guaranteed to work is the Orinoco classic gold. (Or a rebrand of.)

brwrdrvr · 05-01-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiss2000

You might want to read this.

And if you are going to be using NetStumbler the only card that is guaranteed to work is the Orinoco classic gold. (Or a rebrand of.)

Of course if the OP used the search function he could have got all the info he needed

streaker69 · 05-01-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by StumblinStumblr

3) The Buffalo is advertised to pump out 100mW. Does anyone have any thoughts as to how the Buffalo combo might compare with the Orinoco combo in terms of ability to grab a signal and hold?

Please explain why you'd think that output power would have anything to do with a cards ability to "grab a signal and hold" and since when did stumbling have anything to do with 'holding' a signal? After all, you're just interested in detecting it, not holding it.

StumblinStumblr · 05-02-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by streaker69

Please explain why you'd think that output power would have anything to do with a cards ability to "grab a signal and hold" and since when did stumbling have anything to do with 'holding' a signal? After all, you're just interested in detecting it, not holding it.

Actually, I'm glad you asked this question because I'm not sure I understand the underlying concepts enough to delve into WiFi just yet. Before anyone jumps on me, I'll have you know that I DID search on both NS and Google. There is just some connecting material between the concepts that I haven't been able to dig up.

So... here's a summary of current understanding (please do correct me if I've made a mistake anywhere!).

The mW output rating of each card can be converted over to a dB rating. Typically, you would then subtract the dB loss from the pigtail and add the dB gain from the antenna. Your final dB result can be converted over to a mW rating. This is the final power output of your entire setup. A higher power output increases your range of transmission (e.g. if you are using an omni, the radius of your circle of transmission increases).

Here's what I don't quite understand.

Many users often report stronger and stabler connections with their router after outfitting their laptop with an antenna. I can understand why the addition of an antenna might help create a stronger "send" signal from the computer to the router, but since nothing has been changed at the router's end, what makes the computer "receive" better than before? Does the antenna also boost a WiFi card's sensitivity?

I'm sorry if this question is too basic for this subforum, please move this thread over to the Newbie forum if it's better suited for the audience there! Thank you!

Beard · 05-02-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by StumblinStumblr

Here's what I don't quite understand.

Many users often report stronger and stabler connections with their router after outfitting their laptop with an antenna. I can understand why the addition of an antenna might help create a stronger "send" signal from the computer to the router, but since nothing has been changed at the router's end, what makes the computer "receive" better than before? Does the antenna also boost a WiFi card's sensitivity?

Antennas work the same in both directions, send and receive. Google ARRL and read up on antennas.

Beard

brwrdrvr · 05-02-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beard

Antennas work the same in both directions, send and receive. Google ARRL and read up on antennas.

Beard

Wow, that brings back a rush of memories when I was first thinking of becoming a HAM Operator. I used to try to get my hands on anything for information. I had forgotten all about the ARRL. Thanks for the refresh Beard.

Beard · 05-03-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by brwrdrvr

Wow, that brings back a rush of memories when I was first thinking of becoming a HAM Operator. I used to try to get my hands on anything for information. I had forgotten all about the ARRL. Thanks for the refresh Beard.

You're welcome. I had a tech license 40 years ago and did the same thing. Couldn't get past the code requirement to move on and gradually lost interest. It's difficult enough remembering what little I've managed to learn over the years to go there again now that I've got CRS so bad.

Beard

Mark57 · 05-03-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beard

You're welcome. I had a tech license 40 years ago and did the same thing. Couldn't get past the code requirement to move on and gradually lost interest. It's difficult enough remembering what little I've managed to learn over the years to go there again now that I've got CRS so bad.

Beard

CRS isn't so bad. It's worse when you have a day like mine today when the only thing you can remember is shit. Now . . . what was I saying again /

04-30-2006	#1 (permalink)
StumblinStumblr Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2	Deciding Between Two Different Kits -- Advice Much Appreciated! Hello everyone! I'm currently deciding between two kits, and would truly appreciate your thoughts on my two options. The two kits are as follows: 1) Buffalo WLI-CB-G54HP and accompanying 7dB antenna http://cgi.ebay.com/Platinum-MIMO-Pe...QQcmdZViewItem 2) Orinoco Gold Classic Pro and accompanying 7dB antenna http://cgi.ebay.com/Orinoco-Gold-Cla...QQcmdZViewItem I have three primary concerns: 1) I am not sure if the Orinoco Gold Classic "Pro" is the same thing as the coveted Orinoco Gold Classic that is so often recommended in this forum. Does anyone know if they are one and the same? 2) I will be wardriving internationally in Asia (Taiwan, to be specific) and don't know if 14 channels are required to do that. The Buffalo only supports 11 channels. Does anyone have any thoughts on this specific aspect? 3) The Buffalo is advertised to pump out 100mW. Does anyone have any thoughts as to how the Buffalo combo might compare with the Orinoco combo in terms of ability to grab a signal and hold? Edit: By the way, I did a search for the Buffalo's model number, but it appears all posts made regarding Buffalo cards refer to slightly older models (without the "HP" at the end of the "G54HP" designation). That is why I thought I'd ask for some more up-to-date advice Thank you so much for taking the time to help me! Last edited by StumblinStumblr : 04-30-2006 at 10:32 PM.

05-01-2006	#2 (permalink)
kiss2000 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 27	You might want to read this. And if you are going to be using NetStumbler the only card that is guaranteed to work is the Orinoco classic gold. (Or a rebrand of.) Last edited by kiss2000 : 05-01-2006 at 12:53 AM.

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