Home made amplifiers.

08-02-2001

Is it possible to make a home made amplifier to use at both ends of the signal to extend it's range - and what kinds of range can you expect? This is for non-fcc regulated contries.

Example: http://www.hyperlinktech.com/html/products/ha2401dx_agc1000.html

08-09-2001

Cisco has an excell spreadsheet in the wireless section of their website that computes approximate range. They claim that using a Cisco PC-340 series card (60 mw or so) and 2 24 dbi parabolic grid antenna's at each end that you can achieve 18 miles at 11mbps, stepping down to 1 mpbs = 82 miles. :-) Thats with no amplification...

As soon as you introduct obstructions (buildings, trees) those numbers go way down I'm sure. 2.4ghz signals bounce quite well.

08-09-2001

At DefCon Peter said he got 13 miles, another guy there said he managed to do 20. They showed a picture taken from the hills above Oakland, looking out across the Bay to San Francisco.

08-10-2001

Remember that Shipley was also using a decent antenna (20 some db wasn't it?) and found the highest point he could find with clear line of site and good weather. All very important for reception.

Line of site and poor weather can really destroy your exploring times. And as was mentioned during the speech the stronger the antenna you are using the more focused of an area you have to use it with. The little 5db antenna's seem to be best for general travelling and browsing since they have the widest potential.

I think of it as using a shotgun compared to a rifle. I can tag something farther with the rifle but it is a focused shot. My shotgun with proper shot loaded won't go as far but I can hit quite a bit more. :-)

Plus you actually have to get a bit away from some spots for reception since you will be 'under' their broadcast. I noticed that on several local ISP towers in town. As I got closer to pinpoint location I would lose them since I would drop under them. Not a big deal though for most of your standard AP's with no big antenna's shooting out the signals.

John K.

08-20-2001

There is information on how to build low-cost bi-driectional amplifiers on the Low Cost Wireless Network How-To page at http://www.gbonline.com/~multiplx/wireless/
Check out Appendix D.

-- RAM

08-02-2001	#1 (permalink)
Posts: n/a	Home made amplifiers. Is it possible to make a home made amplifier to use at both ends of the signal to extend it's range - and what kinds of range can you expect? This is for non-fcc regulated contries. Example: http://www.hyperlinktech.com/html/products/ha2401dx_agc1000.html

08-09-2001	#2 (permalink)
Posts: n/a	range Cisco has an excell spreadsheet in the wireless section of their website that computes approximate range. They claim that using a Cisco PC-340 series card (60 mw or so) and 2 24 dbi parabolic grid antenna's at each end that you can achieve 18 miles at 11mbps, stepping down to 1 mpbs = 82 miles. :-) Thats with no amplification... As soon as you introduct obstructions (buildings, trees) those numbers go way down I'm sure. 2.4ghz signals bounce quite well.

08-20-2001	#5 (permalink)
Posts: n/a	Bidirectional Amplifier There is information on how to build low-cost bi-driectional amplifiers on the Low Cost Wireless Network How-To page at http://www.gbonline.com/~multiplx/wireless/ Check out Appendix D. -- RAM

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08-09-2001	#3 (permalink)
Posts: n/a	At DefCon Peter said he got 13 miles, another guy there said he managed to do 20. They showed a picture taken from the hills above Oakland, looking out across the Bay to San Francisco.

08-10-2001	#4 (permalink)
Posts: n/a	Remember that Shipley was also using a decent antenna (20 some db wasn't it?) and found the highest point he could find with clear line of site and good weather. All very important for reception. Line of site and poor weather can really destroy your exploring times. And as was mentioned during the speech the stronger the antenna you are using the more focused of an area you have to use it with. The little 5db antenna's seem to be best for general travelling and browsing since they have the widest potential. I think of it as using a shotgun compared to a rifle. I can tag something farther with the rifle but it is a focused shot. My shotgun with proper shot loaded won't go as far but I can hit quite a bit more. :-) Plus you actually have to get a bit away from some spots for reception since you will be 'under' their broadcast. I noticed that on several local ISP towers in town. As I got closer to pinpoint location I would lose them since I would drop under them. Not a big deal though for most of your standard AP's with no big antenna's shooting out the signals. John K.