On 6 Mar 2007 17:38:40 -0800, "shegeek72" <sweepster@peoplepc.com>
wrote:
>> - Is the access point close or far? How far?
>
>I'm not sure. When I was able to connect to the internet while the
>computer was in a location (kitchen table) where the signal was
>relatively strong the speed was, IIRC, 54 mbs.
No way. Most municipal networks don't run much faster than 802.11b
speeds, such as 11Mbits/sec. If you were getting 54Mbits/sec
connection speed, my astute wild guess(tm) is that you were connecting
to a neighbors wireless network and not the local municipal wireless
network. You can usually tell by the SSID. If you drag the mouse
over or click on the wireless connection icon in the system tray
(lower right of screen) it should give you the SSID (system name).
>> - Any obstructions? How bad?
>
>I live in an apartment in a city, so there are a lot of buildings, but
>they are adding new transmitters on a regular basis.
Chuckle. If you complain about anything in the wireless business, the
standard answer is that "we are adding new infrastructure" as fast as
possible. That is probably true, but no clue when your location is
due for an upgrade or a fix. Meanwhile, try to locate where your
nearest access point is hidden. It's usually hanging on the street
light poles.
>> - How much coax cable between your wireless card and the nearest
>> window?
>
>About 10'.
That's fine, but any longer might be excessively lossy. If you have
to add an external antenna, the MINIMUM would be LMR240 coax. The
much heavier LMR400 is better but not really necessary for only 10ft.
Most aftermarket antenna come with RG316 or LMR100 coax, which will
suffice, but just barely.
>> - How bad is the existing signal? (signal strength and SNR).
>
>I have no idea, but I was able to easily connect to the internet.
Your DWL-G510 driver and client manager should give this information.
You should have a big ugly icon on your desktop inscribed with
"DLINK". Run it and there should be a page somewhere with statistics.
What of interest are:
SSID
First 3 octets of the connected MAC address
Signal Strength in -dBm
Noise in -dBm
Signal to Noise Radio in dB
Link Quality in Percent
You may not have all of these, but please supply what you find.
>> - How big an antenna can you tolerate? 1 meter long yagi? 3 meter
>> long yagi? 1 meter diameter dish? 0.8 meter diameter panel?
>
>I'm in an apartment, so it has to be a reasonable size.
It's not going to fill the apartment but might fill up the window. How
big an obstruction can you place in the window? Also, is there
anything made of metal in or on the window that might obstruct RF?
>> - Got a budget?
>
>As inexpensive as possible, while still picking up a reliable signal.
What's that in dollars? It might be cheaper to buy an integrated
radio and antenna, rather then trying to extend the coax cable from
your existing DWL-G510 PCI card.
>> Since you're in Seattle, you might want to connect with these people:
>> <http://www.seattlewireless.net>
>
>Actually, I'm a stones throw away in Portland. :)
Sorry, my error. See:
<http://www.geobytes.com/IpLocator.htm>
and plug in your current IP address of 4.242.210.239
Ok, it's Portland, Oregon.
Since you've finally delivered some useful information, let's see
what's on the internet about Portland's wireless system. Is it this
one:
<http://www.personaltelco.net/static/index.html>
They have a nifty Google map showing their access point locations:
<http://map.personaltelco.net>
Find thyself.
--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558
jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
#
http://802.11junk.com jeffl@cruzio.com
#
http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS
noob question 
Linear Mode
