whitton@atlantic.net wrote:
> I appreciate the replies; however, I read the document and my question
> still stands. I understand the procedure to build a cantenna, but I

I thought the pictures on the turnpoint page would help.
I meant to add the comment that I ordered my pigtail and matching N
connector at the same time.

Jeff pointed out that the "reverse" stuff is nonsense promulgated by the
FCC that is now largely abandoned, with lots of vendors using the same
connectors. Hawking antennas come with RP-SMA on the end of the cable, and
an RP-SMA to TNC adapter, covering a lot of the popular devices with two
connectors that theoretically were only available from the original
manufacturer for a particular device.

One remaining point is "male" verses "female", where the definition
definitely is in conflict from one connector-vendor website to another.

Fortunately, it doesn't matter much. The RP-SMA connector that you order,
whether called "male" or "female", only seems to come in one gender,
whichever that is.

On the "N" side, the terms are standardized, as are the connector
applications. N Female is usually at the devices, N Male on both ends of
the cable for normal use. There are no reversed N connectors, just
standard male and female. For your cantenna application, you got an
adapter cable long enough to go from your special connector to the N-Male
on the cantenna.

When I ordered mine, I only got 19", which is okay for hand held locating,
but isn't long enough for comfortable use. I still use that for locating
rogue WAPs at work, but nothing else.

Eventually, I went to a mini-USB dongle where cable length doesn't add RF
loss.

New Zealand uses mini-USBs in various parabolic reflectors.
http://www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz/

Bob Alston's coffee can
http://members.cox.net/tulsaalstons/Computer.htm
Clarence Dold's coffee can
http://www.rahul.net/dold/clarence/u...42-800x600.jpg
I used the turnpoint calculator to decide where to poke the hole.
http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html
David Taylor's standard USB cantenna
http://www.nodomainname.co.uk/cantenna/cantenna.htm

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Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5