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So if I'm getting into the site survey thing professionally, I figured that I need something better for direction finding than my laptop and a vagi, but not as insane as the warpack

I remembered the Shmoo groups WiFi Bloodhounds from DC13 that I had the pleasure of actually using in the wireless contest and the best feature was the small size and the rotary attenuator for reducing the gain when you were close (and not to mention the freaky factor of wandering around with a gun shaped thing)

MAKE: Blog: @ DEFCON - The shmoo bloodhound Wi-Fi gun

The rest of the parts are easy, it's the rotary attenuator that's the issue (cylindrical dial thing on the above linked pics). I've got Fab-Corp trying to source me one, but I'm wondering if anyone here knows where to get such a thing without needing to sell your left testical in the process?

renderman wrote:So if I'm getting into the site survey thing professionally, I figured that I need something better for direction finding than my laptop and a vagi, but not as insane as the warpack

I remembered the Shmoo groups WiFi Bloodhounds from DC13 that I had the pleasure of actually using in the wireless contest and the best feature was the small size and the rotary attenuator for reducing the gain when you were close (and not to mention the freaky factor of wandering around with a gun shaped thing)

MAKE: Blog: @ DEFCON - The shmoo bloodhound Wi-Fi gun

The rest of the parts are easy, it's the rotary attenuator that's the issue (cylindrical dial thing on the above linked pics). I've got Fab-Corp trying to source me one, but I'm wondering if anyone here knows where to get such a thing without needing to sell your left testical in the process?

You may have to sell both the right and the left testicle. Attenuators aren't cheap. Ebay and local hamfests are two choices. A good 0-3GHz variable attenuator will have an MSRP of $100-$300 USD.

Thorn wrote:You may have to sell both the right and the left testicle. Attenuators aren't cheap. Ebay and local hamfests are two choices. A good 0-3GHz variable attenuator will have an MSRP of $100-$300 USD.

Timonium, MD Hamfest is coming up in March.

streaker69 wrote:Timonium, MD Hamfest is coming up in March.

Looking for right now. I can write it off as it's a business thing. *Sigh* yet another reason to find my way south; HAM fests

renderman wrote:Looking for right now. I can write it off as it's a business thing. *Sigh* yet another reason to find my way south; HAM fests

Hey, come down to here and live. You already dress in black, you'd fit right in with the Amish.

renderman wrote:Looking for right now. I can write it off as it's a business thing. *Sigh* yet another reason to find my way south; HAM fests

The Truth About Maryland's Deer Population

streaker69 wrote:Hey, come down to here and live. You already dress in black, you'd fit right in with the Amish.

I think we both dress in almost all black for one reason. We're lazy bastards. I could care less if my underwear and socks turn gray.

So I got a hold of CowboyM who built the original Bloodhounds and he provided the model number and manufacturer of the attenuator he used:

Manual Variable Attenuators

JFW Industries Inc.
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Model 50R-234
Serial #: 399057 0523

Posted here for future generations to discover

So are you serious about building one? Are you going to try and have it for ShmooCon or DefCon? Last but not least - 802.11, bluetooth, or either/both?

My intention is to have something akin to a yellowjacket or the like for rogue hunting, but with open source.

Bluetooth is a very real possibility, problem is, signal strength is'nt commonly reported in most apps.

If it gets built and functional, It'll defiantly be at cons.

On a related note, anyone know of a good place to get a zaurus or ipaq with a pcmcia slot? Preferably cheap?

renderman wrote:My intention is to have something akin to a yellowjacket or the like for rogue hunting, but with open source.

Bluetooth is a very real possibility, problem is, signal strength is'nt commonly reported in most apps.

If it gets built and functional, It'll defiantly be at cons.

On a related note, anyone know of a good place to get a zaurus or ipaq with a pcmcia slot? Preferably cheap?

Barry or Beak

I have an iPaq 5555, it's internal wifi is hosed though. I have the dual pcmcia sleeve for it as well. I'm not too sure on the batteries though. I know the iPaq's internal is totally dead, not too sure on the sleeve's internal batteries. You could probably source replacements in the web though.

renderman wrote:My intention is to have something akin to a yellowjacket or the like for rogue hunting, but with open source.

Bluetooth is a very real possibility, problem is, signal strength is'nt commonly reported in most apps.

If it gets built and functional, It'll defiantly be at cons.

On a related note, anyone know of a good place to get a zaurus or ipaq with a pcmcia slot? Preferably cheap?

Render, I have an old Ipaq 3835, with the single PCMCIA battery pack.. a few cables for USB power/Serial interface so you can run the Ipaq off USB power in car, and connect a serial GPS.. battery pack and internal used to give me about 5.5 hours of run time.. got 2 cradles and power cords.. .


make me an offer?

The 3800 series is well supported with Familiar Linux, including the PCMCIA. It's a pretty trivial process to get it loaded.

I wish I had a Zaurus.

So I got a quote back from JFW:

$258.50 /each + ~$53 shipping

I'll be looking for alternatives as that's just painful to think about.

Does anyone know if I can get away with an attenuator for a different range? i.e. DC - 3Ghz, or does it have to be tuned for the specific range I'm playing in?