[GVARC] 802.11 Homebrew (2)

[Pat Barthelow]

My inquiry into 802.11 antennas generated quite a response, including some 
who wanted to know more about what 802.11 is...

I do not know in detail about it, other than it is  used in business and 
academia as a high speed wireless link between laptops and the net.
I saw a very small pcmcia card with transmitter and antenna in a laptop 
being used by a friend, and asked about it, and found out that there is a 
whole new interest group that explores wireless connections to networks 
around town that are not firewalled.  I was shocked to learn that it is 
often the case that businesses have these and do not have protection from 
outside users, and apparently dont realize that the networks can be accessed 
from places nearby and outside the buildings.

I even heard that there are groups of folks that somehow mark parking spaces 
in towns that have proven links to nearby 802.11 networks.  So you can get 
on line from your car, simply by parking there.
Kinda like the blue reflectors mark nearby fire hydrants.  Hey!  a business 
opportunity!....Parking meter companies can build a meter with an 802.11 
internet connection!  Even use it to assess parking meter charges...just 
bill your internet account for your parking time....

So, we at N6IJ are suffering from 42,000 feet of twisted pair telco to the 
CO, and no wired way to do broadband internet. We are working with the 
University, 3000 ft line of sight away, with 802.11 to see if it is a 
solution.  Looking into it, I see a great opportunity to involve hams and 
students in building working antennas, to get the link up between us.

The latest articles read from the net show that certain coffee cans, and 
stew cans have much more gain, and are way simpler than the pringle can 
yagis, and only have to have a N connector with a 1/4 wave wire mounted 1/4 
wave up from the bottom of the can to work effectively.





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