Wanted Wireless Networking Geek?

[GrassMaster]

I've met someone that's going to be staying here in downtown Columbus for 3 to 6 months. They have a e-machine puter running WinXP Home with a Linksys Wireless B usb adapter antenna. I use this same antenna for the girls at home, but there's no way to add an external antenna to it.

They are trying to pull in a signal around 500 to 800 feet away, if they've got the distance right. Of course the Wireless B usb adapter can't pick up the signal via available wireless networks, they've tried different placement of antenna & can't pick up a wireless connection as of yet.

Does anybody know the most economical way this could be accomplished via something store bought? Possibly a link to the product?

I have not seen the setup or distance yet. So I'm still in the dark relying on what they've told me so far? It sounds exactly like what my 1 daughter has now?

Yes I feel like an Edit (Idiot) asking about this, but I've never ran across this particular scenario. If it was me at home & this kind of distance I would opt for a wireless networking bridge. But I do not want to suggest this to this person if their are other available options, possibly easier & more economical options.

There is supposedly free wireless network downtown, but it can't be picked up with what they have now, but there is 2 separate households nearby across & down the street a few houses down that have agreed to let them pull off of their network.

Any suggestions on solving this problem would make my day. I will be footing the bill for this. This person is not able to purchase Phone, DSL or Cable so I'm just trying to help this person out.

Wireless Networking Moron in Georgia,
DJ5A aka GrassMaster aka Clueless

[Woody]

Fine Mister Grassmaster:

Is it one of those little "dongle" thingamabobs? With the stubby (no Jack D. jokes now) USB plug on one end, and a ceramic antenna on the other, about the size of a cigarette lighter?

If so...

Your answer lies with 2 things. First, you will need a standard USB "extension cord" to move it away from the computer and allow aiming.

Second, you will need a small parabolic surface. The objective is to place the antenna right at the focal point of the parabolic reflector. Easily done by using light as an alignment tool.

For a parabolic reflector, visit any cheapo store. You are actually looking for the made in China stuff! Why? Well, a wok makes an excellent paraboloid in most cases!

I'll allow my Kiwi friends to give you the entire scoop (pun intended) RIGHT HERE. Make sure you check out all the pictures. As they say, a picture is worth 1,000 words.

Be sure to let me know how it works out.

Enjoy!

[Woody]

At some point in the future I may reveal the pyramidal horn for high gain (+25 dB) applications. Being a genuine Up Narth Hillbilly and Electrical Engineer, it is made from the lowest cost materials available. If you can solder 1 wire, along with being able to use tape and glue, you can build one. The best feature of the pyramidal horn is its inherently LOW noise. Not only do you get decent gain, but smashing down the noise by 20 dB or so gives an outstanding signal to noise ratio.

I should put together a book... "Free High Speed Internet Access: The Amazing Things You Can Do With Tin Foil, Tape, And Glue!"

[GrassMaster]

You Da Man!

Thanks a Million Woody.

That's the first time I've seen that page, I've seen the old Cantanna page.

Well it looks like it's time to go Wok hunting!

I believe I can find a longer USB cable at the Shack & belive it or not I was headed there later today!

[GrassMaster]

All I want to know is if you went out and got yourself a wok!

No Sir not yet...

I went over to the apartment downtown & got a little upset after being there a little bit. I'll explain.

This person only has one window facing the direction of the neighbors that are willing to share access. It's a bedroom window, it's a fairly large bedroom.

She's got the computer as far away from the window as possible & had the Linksys USB antenna laying on the floor between the computer & wall, not a good location at all? Evidently I need to brush up on my telephone tech support & ask if they're trying as hard as possible not to get a signal?

I told her to move it over to the window & try the antenna there first. I offered to move it & she said not now...

So I let it stay as it lay, I do not mind helping people but I think sometimes they should try a little harder to help themselves before asking for help or at least try to work with me on it. I was there & willing to help?

My wife has already been instructed to find me a el cheapo wok. I will soon order a longer usb cord, I keep thinking I got one somewhere that I haven't used.

I do have one of these...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833130115

on my puter at work. It's not one of the best wireless adapters reception wise but very easy to get set up & working. I'm about 15 to 18 feet from the router, of course I have 3 walls to go through & it only gets about 70 to 75% signal strength. I think that's kind of weak compared to the Linksys Wireless Adapters I have at home?

I have a new Dremel that needs a little more breaking in & I would like to give the Wok a shot! LOL, It might come in handy one day.

I really do appreciate the info Sir!

PS: I'm slow as hell getting anything done, but as soon as I get it going I'll let you see a pic of it & give you the results.

[Woody]

Gotta love it! Offering help, only to have to fight the person you're helping!

Let me know what you cook up!

[GrassMaster]

LOL, the plot thickens...

Gotta love it! Offering help, only to have to fight the person you're helping!

Mr. Woody:

Yesterday I wrote a mile longer about things that have happened to me lately trying to help people. LOL, at the last minute I deleted the rant!

Now to get back to the wireless connection...

I got a phone call at about 7:00PM last night...

Hey I finally moved the computer near the window & I still have no other available wireless networks. I asked where is your antenna?

It's on the floor in back of my desk. I said could you please pick it up & either set in on your window sill or better yet put it mid way & put a piece of tape on it to hold it to the window. Why do you want me to do that...

So you might pick up some more wireless connections. No nothing yet, Please click that button again to view available wireless connections.

OMG there's 5 no 7 available wireless connections. Ok start at the top & read them to me... Oh look there's my friends across the street about the 3rd or 4th one down. Do you want me to try to connect to it. No please read me the first one & lets go from there because it should have the strongest signal.

It says it's a Omni Network, OK click on it & see what happens. Oh it's the free wireless network for downtown Columbus. It's working I'm on Google, that's my home page. Ok, do a search on it & make sure it's working OK.

OMG, it's really fast & says it's a Broadband connection. That was a good idea putting it there at the window?

Again I think some people are their own worse enemy?

[Woody]

It's amazing just how difficult some people can be!

I know all about helping people. Believe me, I could write up a 10-mile-longer on it. For some reason, I still keep helping though. I'm a glutton for punishment?



Good to hear it is up and working. I was just getting ready to lay out the cardboard, tin, aluminum foil, and tape pyramidal horn myself. I'll have to look and see what I have laying around.