wireless General Discussions

Greetings,

I am going to Ecuador on a short term mission trip --leaving in three days. I am just finding out that there are some public Wifi hot spots available in the area that I may be able to hit from the place we are staying (we are actually staying inside Quito (the capitol) and traveling to the smaller villages outside of town each day to work.

My questions to the group are:

1. what type 'quick' configurations would you suggest me having/taking with me to insure that I can access the local wifi's? I am told that they are further away than a simple wifi card can hit. Should I consider constructing a cantenna? If so, what type?

2. what type wifi card would you suggest getting for the laptop? If I use a cantenna... I will need some type of screen on antenna connector on the card. Do I need to go with USB or pcmcia slot card?

3. Can I use a simple USB adaptor like the Linksys Wireless G, USB Network Adaptor with Wifi Finder unit and strategically place it in a can? Would this help?

4. I have access to a manufactured 'cantenna' --not sure the name/model. If I use it... I will need a wireless adaptor that matches up to the connector on the pigtail of the antenna. I am told that it is a small connector similar to a type F cable connection (just much smaller).

Lastly, if anyone has any advice/suggestions/pointers for cantenna use -like, sucess stories for finding signals (can position, polarization, etc)... I'd appreciate it.

Any/All suggestions are appreciated!

Good day!
Pwells

*note: please copy replies to: paul@wellsfolk.com too