Hey Jeff, what u think the dBi is for this?
in [Wireless Internet]
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From: John Navas on 8 Aug 2010 10:33 On Sat, 7 Aug 2010 18:44:01 +0000 (UTC), in <i3k9hh$foj$1(a)speranza.aioe.org>, dakid <dakid(a)nospam.org> wrote: >... I am using a 1' by 1' homemade parabolic >reflector behind a 5 inch whip-manila folder with pasted alum >foil glued to parabolic foam shapes made from a parabolic >template. What do you think the probabilities are that the >Hawkins will give a >significant improvement over that? The signal strength from >my adapter software says it is running about 80% but the >signal quality is only about 50-65%, and I am getting Rx >retrys about half of Rx Oks. Actually these readings seem to >bear little relation to the speed of downloading pages. Have >tried moving the antenna all around different positions and >different angles, am I am now getting the best I can get with >this antenna. The 1' by 1' reflector is affixed to slots on >the top of a small cardboard box aimed towards my window. I >tried lining the bottom of the box and sides outside the >reflector with alum foil, but did not improve things. I tried >shielding the adapter which is right below the antenna with >foil, also no improvement. Have you tried different channels (1, 6, 11)? Have you looked for sources of radio interference? <http://wireless.navas.us/wiki/Wi-Fi#Troubleshooting_Wi-Fi> -- John FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://wireless.navas.us> FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.navas.us/wiki/Wi-Fi> Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.navas.us/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.navas.us/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>
From: Jeff Liebermann on 8 Aug 2010 14:50 On Sat, 7 Aug 2010 18:44:01 +0000 (UTC), dakid <dakid(a)nospam.org> wrote: Hint: What problem are you trying to solve and what do you have to work with? You'll get better answers if you supply this information. >I am using a 1' by 1' homemade parabolic >reflector behind a 5 inch whip-manila folder with pasted alum >foil glued to parabolic foam shapes made from a parabolic >template. What do you think the probabilities are that the >Hawkins will give a >significant improvement over that? 100%. Your antenna is probably not properly matched to 50 ohms. Your aluminum foil feed probably does not properly illuminate the dish, resulting in "over-spray" with radically different gains on receive and xmit. In short, without test equipment, a decent design, and careful construction, your home made contrivance is unlikely to provide a major improvement in antenna gain. That being said, I'm always amazed at how crudely an antenna can be build and still work. That applies to antennas with gains of less than about 8dBi, such as coffee cans and simple reflectors. Over about 8dBi gain, things start to get critical and narrow band. >The signal strength from >my adapter software says it is running about 80% but the >signal quality is only about 50-65%, and I am getting Rx >retrys about half of Rx Oks. Lots of retransmissions suggests interference. Try different RF channels or run a site survey (scan of existing wireless networks). If possible use a spectrum analyzer. >Actually these readings seem to >bear little relation to the speed of downloading pages. Got any numbers? >Have >tried moving the antenna all around different positions and >different angles, am I am now getting the best I can get with >this antenna. The 1' by 1' reflector is affixed to slots on >the top of a small cardboard box aimed towards my window. I >tried lining the bottom of the box and sides outside the >reflector with alum foil, but did not improve things. I tried >shielding the adapter which is right below the antenna with >foil, also no improvement. I can't tell if the Hawking antenna is going to make any improvement as you haven't disclosed how you're using the antenna and radio. Are you trying to cover an area? Or are you trying to go point to point? Big difference in recommended antenna types for each of these. Also, indoors, outdoors, rooftop, folliage, through walls, etc. -- Jeff Liebermann jeffl(a)cruzio.com 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
From: John Navas on 9 Aug 2010 10:04
On Mon, 9 Aug 2010 03:24:36 +0000 (UTC), in <i3nsdi$nvm$1(a)speranza.aioe.org>, dakid <dakid(a)nospam.org> wrote: >Jeff Liebermann <jeffl(a)cruzio.com> wrote in >news:1lut5693bfdvde4rhnp32hl1cvh467u4tc(a)4ax.com: >> Hint: What problem are you trying to solve and what do you have to >> work with? You'll get better answers if you supply this information. > >Thanks for your reply. Sorry I am not able to converse with >you at your level on this topic. > >So far in my area I have found 3-5 APs, no encryption using >open routers, no pw. I am sure there are more. I just want to >surf the net and chat, primarily. Over months some disappear >and then new ones appear. I guess they are starting to wise >up that its not a good idea to run unencrypted APs with open >routers. Or maybe they are just leaving it open for whoever. In other words, you are trying to steal broadband Internet service. -- John "We have met the enemy and he is us" -Pogo |