Should I kill my Netgear WG511?

microjack · 09-02-2004

Advanced warning – the following information has been compiled by a ‘newbie’, expect snippets of stupidity and potential school boy errors throughout…

Ok, being ultra polite I’ll thank you all in advanced. Hopefully I’ll be able to contribute once I’ve lost my newbie status.

I’m currently using a Netgear WG511 PMCIA card. The problem is the range, its pretty average to say the least.

I was thinking about soldering some LMR-100 straight onto the card, throw in a pigtail and connect an external antenna – I believe this is possible? However, after doing some research I’m unsure if there is anything significant to gain.

Does anybody know if the above is worth investing the time and money or should I go out and buy the kit?

Which brings me to my next question, if the above is a ‘none starter’ which set-up is the best. I’m looking for a balance between performance and cost however, if I can get the gear for around £50 to £60 max I could also get GPS… Which will be nice?

I’m guessing the Orinoco Gold is going to be a winner here but from what I can see it doesn’t come with an antenna attachment – however this may be a school boy error on my part.

Just so you know I’m using the mighty Netstumbler and plan to try the popular Linux based programs.

Cheers folks

King_Ice_Flash · 09-02-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by microjack

Advanced warning – the following information has been compiled by a ‘newbie’, expect snippets of stupidity and potential school boy errors throughout…

Ok, being ultra polite I’ll thank you all in advanced. Hopefully I’ll be able to contribute once I’ve lost my newbie status.

I’m currently using a Netgear WG511 PMCIA card. The problem is the range, its pretty average to say the least.

I was thinking about soldering some LMR-100 straight onto the card, throw in a pigtail and connect an external antenna – I believe this is possible? However, after doing some research I’m unsure if there is anything significant to gain.

Does anybody know if the above is worth investing the time and money or should I go out and buy the kit?

Which brings me to my next question, if the above is a ‘none starter’ which set-up is the best. I’m looking for a balance between performance and cost however, if I can get the gear for around £50 to £60 max I could also get GPS… Which will be nice?

I’m guessing the Orinoco Gold is going to be a winner here but from what I can see it doesn’t come with an antenna attachment – however this may be a school boy error on my part.

Just so you know I’m using the mighty Netstumbler and plan to try the popular Linux based programs.

Cheers folks

Make sure you get the Orinoco classic. The new one is not as compatible with linux.

Once you take your netgear apart, you may find a small connector (hirose) that you can attach a pigtail to. (search for hirose)

microjack · 09-02-2004

I'll keep that in mind.

I'm guessing from your reply you think upgrading the Netgear maybe worth while? Do you know anybody who has tried this?

peekitty · 09-02-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_Ice_Flash

Make sure you get the Orinoco classic. The new one is not as compatible with linux.

Actually, most of the Proxim/Orinoco cards use the Atheros chipset which works very well in Linux with the MadWiFi drivers.

macpad · 09-03-2004

MicroJack,

I have some orinoco sliver cards that have been firmware updated to gold and have external MMCX connectors. PM me and I am sure we can come to some arrangement.

Paddy

Jim Dandy · 09-12-2004

Why kill it when you can make it look like an accident?

09-02-2004	#1 (permalink)
microjack Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 2	Should I kill my Netgear WG511? Advanced warning – the following information has been compiled by a ‘newbie’, expect snippets of stupidity and potential school boy errors throughout… Ok, being ultra polite I’ll thank you all in advanced. Hopefully I’ll be able to contribute once I’ve lost my newbie status. I’m currently using a Netgear WG511 PMCIA card. The problem is the range, its pretty average to say the least. I was thinking about soldering some LMR-100 straight onto the card, throw in a pigtail and connect an external antenna – I believe this is possible? However, after doing some research I’m unsure if there is anything significant to gain. Does anybody know if the above is worth investing the time and money or should I go out and buy the kit? Which brings me to my next question, if the above is a ‘none starter’ which set-up is the best. I’m looking for a balance between performance and cost however, if I can get the gear for around £50 to £60 max I could also get GPS… Which will be nice? I’m guessing the Orinoco Gold is going to be a winner here but from what I can see it doesn’t come with an antenna attachment – however this may be a school boy error on my part. Just so you know I’m using the mighty Netstumbler and plan to try the popular Linux based programs. Cheers folks

09-02-2004	#3 (permalink)
microjack Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 2	Cheers I'll keep that in mind. I'm guessing from your reply you think upgrading the Netgear maybe worth while? Do you know anybody who has tried this?

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09-03-2004	#5 (permalink)
macpad Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Cornwall (UK) Posts: 37	MicroJack, I have some orinoco sliver cards that have been firmware updated to gold and have external MMCX connectors. PM me and I am sure we can come to some arrangement. Paddy

09-12-2004	#6 (permalink)
Jim Dandy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1	Why kill it when you can make it look like an accident?