Highly directional antena needed.

afly007 · 05-22-2004

I've decided, due to the sheer number of unsecured AP's in my city, to start a wireless security business... aka find open AP, drop off contact information and wait...

I currently have a omni mag mount on my roof, but I'd like to be able to pinpoint exact homes which contain the AP's. I've tried making a cantenna but haven't really been successful...

I've purchased a 13dBi directional panel antenna with the following specs:

3dB Horizontal Beamwidth 20 Degrees
3dB Vertical Beamwidth 65 Degrees
Front to Back Ratio > 21dB

I'm wondering if this is overkill as I'm not sure which side of the street I'm getting a signal from... (Could I block the back of the panel antenna with some lead or some dense metal to reduce the signal coming from behind?)

Is anyone out there doing this? If so, what are you using to pinpoint the location of AP's?

Thorn · 05-22-2004

That antenna will be fine for the inteded purpose. With a front-to-back ratio that high it will be apparent where the signal is originating.

However, before you start doing what you intend, consult with an attorney, and double check the premises that you are basing your business plan on. You are hardly the first person to think of this idea. Search the forums. This has been discussed again, and again, and again. Actually, it has been beaten to death.

Most people who think this is the way to riches get nowhere due to legal issues. Some have been arrested due to their actions in attempting to contact the owners of the APs.

05-22-2004	#1 (permalink)
afly007 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1	Highly directional antena needed. I've decided, due to the sheer number of unsecured AP's in my city, to start a wireless security business... aka find open AP, drop off contact information and wait... I currently have a omni mag mount on my roof, but I'd like to be able to pinpoint exact homes which contain the AP's. I've tried making a cantenna but haven't really been successful... I've purchased a 13dBi directional panel antenna with the following specs: 3dB Horizontal Beamwidth 20 Degrees 3dB Vertical Beamwidth 65 Degrees Front to Back Ratio > 21dB I'm wondering if this is overkill as I'm not sure which side of the street I'm getting a signal from... (Could I block the back of the panel antenna with some lead or some dense metal to reduce the signal coming from behind?) Is anyone out there doing this? If so, what are you using to pinpoint the location of AP's?

05-22-2004	#2 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,351	That antenna will be fine for the inteded purpose. With a front-to-back ratio that high it will be apparent where the signal is originating. However, before you start doing what you intend, consult with an attorney, and double check the premises that you are basing your business plan on. You are hardly the first person to think of this idea. Search the forums. This has been discussed again, and again, and again. Actually, it has been beaten to death. Most people who think this is the way to riches get nowhere due to legal issues. Some have been arrested due to their actions in attempting to contact the owners of the APs. __________________ Thorn "Read Altas Shrugged. Compare it to today. Repeat as necessary"

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