Parabolic Dish inside a room?

Archived from groups: alt.internet.wireless (More info?)

On 24 Sep 2004 18:20:13 -0700, billpritjr@spamhole.com (Bill) wrote:

>A friend of mine who attends college lives in a large high-rise dorm
>building, with large flat plane glass windows. The windows only open
>a few inches, to allow fresh air, and nothing else. There are no
>ledges, etc outside the window.

When I lived in the dorms, the windows opened so we could launch giant
water ballon sling shots, and other creative projectiles. Bummer.

>At the university library, there exists free Wi-Fi. However, he only
>sometimes will connect and signal strength is always very low/poor.

This is good. If you can get some signal, any signal, a bigger
antenna will only make it better.

>How much performance loss would occur if my buddy put a 24db
>Parabolic dish antenna on a camera tripod, placed it in front of the
>window, and aimed it at the library (about 2 miles away)?

How big is the window? My 24dBi dish is 27"x34". Methinks that's a
bit big for a window. It also has a very narrow beamwidth (8 deg)
which will be difficult to keep aligned. Methinks a somewhat lower
gain panel (patch) antenna would less obnoxious and more practical.
http://www.fab-corp.com/J1.htm

>He DOES
>have line of sight but his rubber duckie on the back of his PC (DWL-
>G520 PCI Card) just aint cutting it. (reverse SMA connector)

>Will the glass degrade the signal?

Nope. Glass is no problem. However, metalized coatings on glass, as
found in most office buildings, is fatal.

>Obviously concrete walls are one
>thing but we are talking about standard flat plane, clean, building-
>code glass windows.
>
>The antenna he is thinking about is this one
>
>http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/hg2424g.php

24" x 40". Big.

>THANKS

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 AE6KS 831-336-2558

Archived from groups: alt.internet.wireless (More info?)

Bill <billpritjr@spamhole.com> wrote:
> At the university library, there exists free Wi-Fi. However, he only
> sometimes will connect and signal strength is always very low/poor.

Some signal, and connections that work sometimes, might not need a 24dBi
boost. He could try a simple cantenna, or maybe even a reflector on his
original duckie. Free, easy (?), and if it makes a noticeable improvement,
but not enough, then you would at least feel better about spending the
money on a better antenna.

http://www.freeantennas.com
http://www.nodomainname.co.uk/cantenna/cantenna.htm
http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html
http://www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz/

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

Archived from groups: alt.internet.wireless (More info?)

Sounds like a job for "usbwifi" ! WiFi rubber duckies at the back of
PCs are often bad news, since the antenna will be -
* Shielded by PC metal work * Usually at floor level- duh!
* Close to PC "noise" * Crippled by costly connectors & cables

Go a USB dongle & extension cable & beat all these hassles by then
placing the adaptor at a signal sweet spot. Rustle up a parabolic
reflector as well & you'll maybe enjoy WiFi heaven. See many case
studies/applications/pix relating to your needs =>
www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz