My new wireless network...am I McGuyver or what??? NOW WITH PICS!!!

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Haircut

Platinum Member
Apr 23, 2000
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Originally posted by: Jellomancer
How does a grille reflect radiation? I've always wondered about that.
Basically you need something that has gaps smaller than the wavelength of the signal to reflect it, that's why the wire mesh on the front of your microwave stops them escaping into the kitchen as microwaves have a wavelength of around 3cm.
Light has a wavelength of a few hundred nanometers so that's why you need something really smooth to get an adequate reflection.

For a signal with a frequency of 2.4Ghz the wavelength is around 80cm, so a grill like the one used will be fine for reflecting the signal.


 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
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OK, now you just need to extend the range a teensy bit so that I can get a signal in Waterville. I'm only about 20 miles away, it'll be a fun challenge. :p

ZV
 

SHoddyCOmp

Platinum Member
Apr 1, 2002
2,072
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The pics are great, it actually looks pretty nice! Good work. Oh, 1st post on SuSE. Trying to figure this thing out a little :D :D
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
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Originally posted by: Garfang
What's a permit? ;)


You only need a permit if you're boosting the signal beyond the specs of the equipment. Otherwise, you can put up a pole up to 40' without a permit. (At least in Ohio...might be different elsewhere.)
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
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Originally posted by: Nighthawk69
How did you wire that into the SMC Barricade AP? Pics?

Thanks :D

SMC AP's have a removeable antenna. It's a female reverse polarity TNC connector. I just removed the antenna, attached the TNC connector to the LMR-400 coax, and plugged it into the AP. Reverse polarity TNC's can be found here for around $5.00. . That was the easiest part really.
 

MrBond

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2000
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Your DSL providor won't bitch if they find out, will they?

I live in Toledo too (well, most of the year) and always thought that'd be a pretty neat project. In my neighborhood with all the houses so close together, you could serve several houses with a base station and a moderate antenna.

Still, I'm not going to go to the work you did to share my net connection with strangers :). At least you're charging something. That radius authentication is what I'd have done, and if the neighbors decide not to pay, you can shut 'em off easily :)
 

gar598

Golden Member
Mar 25, 2001
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Did you have to check with the telephone company/cable company to ensure that you could place something on their pole?
 

Lithium381

Lifer
May 12, 2001
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Originally posted by: Lithium381
that sounds sweet, i want to see pics!


WOAH that's even sweeter with pics, only problem is i don't see much duct-tape, so you can't be mcguyver ;)
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
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Originally posted by: MrBond
Your DSL providor won't bitch if they find out, will they?

I live in Toledo too (well, most of the year) and always thought that'd be a pretty neat project. In my neighborhood with all the houses so close together, you could serve several houses with a base station and a moderate antenna.

Still, I'm not going to go to the work you did to share my net connection with strangers :). At least you're charging something. That radius authentication is what I'd have done, and if the neighbors decide not to pay, you can shut 'em off easily :)

Ameritech doesn't care less what you do with the connection as long as it's not illegal. There's not a single thing in their terms and conditions that say anything about sharing limits. Soooooo......here I am :)

 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
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Originally posted by: gar598
Did you have to check with the telephone company/cable company to ensure that you could place something on their pole?

I didn't place anything on the utility pole (which, by the way, is ilegal----remember that the next time you're hanging garage sale signs). The pole the antenna is on was completely constructed by myself.
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
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Originally posted by: Lithium381
Originally posted by: Lithium381
that sounds sweet, i want to see pics!
WOAH that's even sweeter with pics, only problem is i don't see much duct-tape, so you can't be mcguyver ;)

Heheh...the only place I used duct tape was on the access point because I don't have any heat shrink to attach the coax to the connector :) Otherwise, it was all male/female connectors and soldiering. I run a professional shop here people! My labels always say "Less than 2% duct tape".
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
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That is sooooooo kick ass sweet.

My sister and her b/f might get a similiar setup. They live in a house which has cable internet, their friends who live directly across the street one house to the east don't have cable internet. It'd be cool if they could charge their neighbor(s) to share the cable costs.
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
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Originally posted by: RossMAN
That is sooooooo kick ass sweet.

My sister and her b/f might get a similiar setup. They live in a house which has cable internet, their friends who live directly across the street one house to the east don't have cable internet. It'd be cool if they could charge their neighbor(s) to share the cable costs.

If it's line of site and less than 300' away, you might be able to just put your router/access point up to a window and that'll be enough. If not, a 8dbi antenna will probably be all you need. Be sure to get wireless equipment that accepts an external antenna!
 

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
30,990
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I also built my own wireless antenna for my Wireless setup so I could connect to AT from work. Yes I am addicted.

Unfortunately, mine is highly directional, unlike yours. I like yours. New project for me :)

Damn sweet job you did there. Are those power lines or what?

<edit>
And besides, if you were McGyver, you would have done that with a rubber band, paper clip and Swiss Army Knife. :D
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
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Originally posted by: Evadman
I also built my own wireless antenna for my Wireless setup so I could connect to AT from work. Yes I am addicted.

Unfortunately, mine is highly directional, unlike yours. I like yours. New project for me :)

Damn sweet job you did there. Are those power lines or what?

<edit>
And besides, if you were McGyver, you would have done that with a rubber band, paper clip and Swiss Army Knife. :D


Hyperlink sells an antenna kit similar to mine for $50 so you don't have to go through all that trouble. Nice antenna there :) Do you have to park the truck in a certain way to aim it? LOL