Orinoco antenna

koldshot · 02-24-2004

I just got an Orinoco gold card and 5db vehicle mount antenna similar to the setup from the NetStumbler shop. I plugged in the antenna and the signal decreases. Anyone have any advice, I'm assuming it should work properly with a card straight out of the box.

wrzwaldo · 02-24-2004

Were you holding the antenna? What type of coax is on it? Pig-tail used? Connectors? Antenna have a ground plane? Similar could be a whole lotta db difference.

brendandonhue · 02-24-2004

Are you using cheap pigtail? I think the loss from that could outweigh the gain from the antenna. I'm not an expert though....

Madhadder · 02-24-2004

And most of these type Antt. need a ground plane.. Such as
the Roof of your car.

koldshot · 02-24-2004

I am using a 2 metre (about 6ft) thin coax (ORINOCO 5DBI OMNI ANTENNA 5DBI OMNI VEHICLE ANTENNA US#078654), it's completely stock and it was what I would consider pretty expensive (about $100).
I wanted to get a professionally made antenna since I'm so new at it, before messing around with any mods. It has an n type connector. I tried holding it or just sitting it down, and pointing it either straight at the AP or perpendicular to it. None of that seemed to matter. I don't plan on using it mounted on a vehicle, either way my car is fiberglass.
The antenna will unscrew from the coax assembly and the signal is slightly (1dbi?) better with the antenna connected but still greatly decreased from the card by itself. Supposing I was to use it near a desk are you suggesting I ground it somehow? Thanks for the help.

King_Ice_Flash · 02-24-2004

If you have a metal desk, just stick 'er down.

koldshot · 02-24-2004

I tried a metal speaker stand, the stove, a wall mounted space heater, and a big metal file cabinet, all I was able to pinch the metal disc on the antenna assembly to firmly have it stand there, none had any change of signal.

HITMONEY · 02-24-2004

Any chance of telling us where you got the antenna, and better yet posting a pic of it or link to the site where there is a picture.

Is it a mag-mount?

King_Ice_Flash · 02-24-2004

Just for kicks, get a multi-meter, and measure between the center conductor of the pigtail and the shielding both with and with out the antenna connected. See if the shielding is shorted to the center conductor. Then check that there is continuity between the two ends of the pigtail on both the shielding and the center conductor.

02-24-2004	#1 (permalink)
koldshot Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4	Orinoco antenna I just got an Orinoco gold card and 5db vehicle mount antenna similar to the setup from the NetStumbler shop. I plugged in the antenna and the signal decreases. Anyone have any advice, I'm assuming it should work properly with a card straight out of the box.

02-24-2004	#4 (permalink)
Madhadder General "Noob Basher" Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 1,620	And most of these type Antt. need a ground plane.. Such as the Roof of your car. __________________ Legends may sleep, but they never die!!!!

02-24-2004	#6 (permalink)
King_Ice_Flash Alien Paranoid Stumbler Join Date: May 2003 Location: WI Posts: 2,690	If you have a metal desk, just stick 'er down. __________________ "Yeah," said a voice from under the table, "you go to pieces so fast people get hit by the shrapnel."

02-24-2004	#9 (permalink)
King_Ice_Flash Alien Paranoid Stumbler Join Date: May 2003 Location: WI Posts: 2,690	Just for kicks, get a multi-meter, and measure between the center conductor of the pigtail and the shielding both with and with out the antenna connected. See if the shielding is shorted to the center conductor. Then check that there is continuity between the two ends of the pigtail on both the shielding and the center conductor. __________________ "Yeah," said a voice from under the table, "you go to pieces so fast people get hit by the shrapnel."

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02-24-2004	#2 (permalink)
wrzwaldo I amuse you? Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 9,147	Were you holding the antenna? What type of coax is on it? Pig-tail used? Connectors? Antenna have a ground plane? Similar could be a whole lotta db difference.

02-24-2004	#3 (permalink)
brendandonhue Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 17	Are you using cheap pigtail? I think the loss from that could outweigh the gain from the antenna. I'm not an expert though....

02-24-2004	#5 (permalink)
koldshot Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4	I am using a 2 metre (about 6ft) thin coax (ORINOCO 5DBI OMNI ANTENNA 5DBI OMNI VEHICLE ANTENNA US#078654), it's completely stock and it was what I would consider pretty expensive (about $100). I wanted to get a professionally made antenna since I'm so new at it, before messing around with any mods. It has an n type connector. I tried holding it or just sitting it down, and pointing it either straight at the AP or perpendicular to it. None of that seemed to matter. I don't plan on using it mounted on a vehicle, either way my car is fiberglass. The antenna will unscrew from the coax assembly and the signal is slightly (1dbi?) better with the antenna connected but still greatly decreased from the card by itself. Supposing I was to use it near a desk are you suggesting I ground it somehow? Thanks for the help.

02-24-2004	#7 (permalink)
koldshot Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4	I tried a metal speaker stand, the stove, a wall mounted space heater, and a big metal file cabinet, all I was able to pinch the metal disc on the antenna assembly to firmly have it stand there, none had any change of signal.

02-24-2004	#8 (permalink)
HITMONEY Who Wants Butter??? Join Date: May 2003 Location: St. Pete Beach, FL. Posts: 529	Any chance of telling us where you got the antenna, and better yet posting a pic of it or link to the site where there is a picture. Is it a mag-mount?