pigtail for SMC access point - Page 2

tradergordo · 05-09-2002

OK, I sent emails to 3-4 different places including RF connection. I'll post any responses. One place sells the cable for $29, but I was hoping for more like $15.

At any rate, why are so many interested in pigtails? Maybe I just don't know the definition of "pigtail" but I envision a flexible cable with no connector on one end such as the ones inside of most antennas including the SMC WAP.

Doesn't this imply that the WAP is literally right next to the antenna, which also implies you are mounting it outdoors? This doesn't seem like a great setup to me but maybe I'm wrong. How are you protecting the WAP from the elements? I would rather mount the WAP under the roof and run a cable from it to the antenna using standard connections. But for the pigtail people -- why not just use the one that came with the WAP? Just stick some pilars into the round part of the gray plastic antenna, and open them up, the thing comes apart in two pieces -- you have your pigtail and perfectly fitting MCX connector without buying anything. Then you could weather proof the WAP, feed the pigtail up into your antenna, and mount the whole assembly outdoors. Again, this is not what I'm looking to do, but it seems doable. I have used this setup for testing my cantennas on the ground.

tradergordo · 05-13-2002

Followup. After a lot of searching, RFConnection is indeed the best priced solution (thanks for the tip) by far. These guys are real hillbillies, talking on the phone with them is hysterical. They couldn't ship my order until after the big ham radio convention (they called it "Hamvention") in Ohio so I won't have my parts for a week or so. I'll give another update then.

I ordered 2 terminated 10 foot long cables consisting of:
MCX male Right Angle/RG-316/Nmale which costs $16 plus .55 cents for each foot of cable you want.

I also ordered some chassis mount N-Male connectors which were $3 each for building my cantenna:

http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html

FYI -- building the power injector for doing POE (power over ethernet) was very simple, so if you were thinking of buying one, you can save $30 by building your own.

From all I've seen so far, the SMC2655W is really one of the best WAPs to buy (low cost, got mine for only $105, supports POE for easy roof installs, easily add external antennas, modifiable for signal strength boost hack).

Davo · 07-17-2002

I got my pigtail, connected to my homebuilt omni antenna, and built a Power Over Ethernet (POE) injector so I can move the AP some distance away. Works pretty well. No detailed testing, but I get more geen bars on my client strength meter. Next step is a waterproof box for the AP, and mounting it on mast outside.

Pictures and words at:

http://www.davewilson.cc/Wireless/SMC

lincomatic · 07-17-2002

cool. keep us posted on your progress.

tradergordo · 07-17-2002

I finally got my parts too, and have done a little testing. The setup (cables & cantenna) works fine. I attemped a sloppy non-line of sight 2 mile test with a friend which did not work (I'm really not surprised). But we were able to pick up someone else's AP in the area, so I'm pretty confident I could communicate with anyone in my housing development. My cantenna is mounted on my roof right now, with the WAP itself tucked below the roof. I got a 10 foot pigtail so there is plenty of room for manuvering.

05-09-2002	#16 (permalink)
tradergordo Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 4	OK, I sent emails to 3-4 different places including RF connection. I'll post any responses. One place sells the cable for $29, but I was hoping for more like $15. At any rate, why are so many interested in pigtails? Maybe I just don't know the definition of "pigtail" but I envision a flexible cable with no connector on one end such as the ones inside of most antennas including the SMC WAP. Doesn't this imply that the WAP is literally right next to the antenna, which also implies you are mounting it outdoors? This doesn't seem like a great setup to me but maybe I'm wrong. How are you protecting the WAP from the elements? I would rather mount the WAP under the roof and run a cable from it to the antenna using standard connections. But for the pigtail people -- why not just use the one that came with the WAP? Just stick some pilars into the round part of the gray plastic antenna, and open them up, the thing comes apart in two pieces -- you have your pigtail and perfectly fitting MCX connector without buying anything. Then you could weather proof the WAP, feed the pigtail up into your antenna, and mount the whole assembly outdoors. Again, this is not what I'm looking to do, but it seems doable. I have used this setup for testing my cantennas on the ground. Last edited by tradergordo : 05-09-2002 at 08:51 AM.

07-17-2002	#18 (permalink)
Davo Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 31	progress I got my pigtail, connected to my homebuilt omni antenna, and built a Power Over Ethernet (POE) injector so I can move the AP some distance away. Works pretty well. No detailed testing, but I get more geen bars on my client strength meter. Next step is a waterproof box for the AP, and mounting it on mast outside. Pictures and words at: http://www.davewilson.cc/Wireless/SMC __________________ Davo

07-17-2002	#19 (permalink)
lincomatic Squaaawk! WiFi! WiFi! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tinsel Town Posts: 1,682	cool. keep us posted on your progress. __________________ ~lincomatic

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05-13-2002	#17 (permalink)
tradergordo Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 4	Followup. After a lot of searching, RFConnection is indeed the best priced solution (thanks for the tip) by far. These guys are real hillbillies, talking on the phone with them is hysterical. They couldn't ship my order until after the big ham radio convention (they called it "Hamvention") in Ohio so I won't have my parts for a week or so. I'll give another update then. I ordered 2 terminated 10 foot long cables consisting of: MCX male Right Angle/RG-316/Nmale which costs $16 plus .55 cents for each foot of cable you want. I also ordered some chassis mount N-Male connectors which were $3 each for building my cantenna: http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html FYI -- building the power injector for doing POE (power over ethernet) was very simple, so if you were thinking of buying one, you can save $30 by building your own. From all I've seen so far, the SMC2655W is really one of the best WAPs to buy (low cost, got mine for only $105, supports POE for easy roof installs, easily add external antennas, modifiable for signal strength boost hack).

07-17-2002	#20 (permalink)
tradergordo Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 4	I finally got my parts too, and have done a little testing. The setup (cables & cantenna) works fine. I attemped a sloppy non-line of sight 2 mile test with a friend which did not work (I'm really not surprised). But we were able to pick up someone else's AP in the area, so I'm pretty confident I could communicate with anyone in my housing development. My cantenna is mounted on my roof right now, with the WAP itself tucked below the roof. I got a 10 foot pigtail so there is plenty of room for manuvering.