Date:         Sat, 23 Aug 2008 09:54:25 -0700
Reply-To:     David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: WiFry NVC but camping related
In-Reply-To:  <d1ea9acf0808230827o468d7d24m5c54387cee4c25d1@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

How far away were you able to make a WIFI connection using such simple
directional antenna? It is amazing if it was a few blocks away. But I
wonder if the distance is far enough to be practical when trying to
make a connection from a camp site. My other question is if tampering
a private WIFI network nearby is OK. But I do know some people leave
their home WIFI open all day and let others to make connection to the
internet. They say why not share while I am not using it. I wish more
people do this. It is really beneficial for people on the road.

David




--- craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> I've done it, it works.
> If your looking for directional amplification though, i've had much better
> success with the "Cantenna". The magical properties of your favorite
> Pringals can when combined with a USB WIFI card can be quite wonderful,
> though it's highly directional. There was at one point (and probably still
> is) a piece of free software called "Net Stumbler" that would allow you to
> see realtime the strength of the signal, so when you went to connect, you
> would rotate your cantenna untill you got past the peak on the Netstumbler
> graph, and then you would return to that spot and make that your aim.
> Mounting the pringals can with some inginuity to a 6'' tripod works just
> smashingly for this.
>
> Alas i now have a mac, and have not yet put the necessary effort into making
> the drivers for my previous USB device work on this computer.
>
> I've also found through some simple experimentation how to do non
> directional antenna boosters, which work with WIFI but i pioneered for radio
> use. I had one of those FM transmitters for making your Ipod work in the
> car, and it's signal strength was dismal at best, so i made some
> modifications, and found myself accidentally overloading "real" radio
> stations in my local area. I could even hook it up to the old Cantenna,
> point it at a buddies car who's station i knew (They always listened to the
> same thing), program in that station, and broadcast my music : )
> This burnt out some circuitry in short order, and due to the illegality of
> it i never started the project back up, but as far as simple modifications
> go.....there is no limit to what your capable of with a small understanding
> of the concept at hand and some hand tools....
>
>
> -Craig
> '85WESTY
>
> On Sat, Aug 23, 2008 at 10:53 AM, Kenneth Lewis
> <kdlewis@northstate.net>wrote:
>
> > Has anyone tried this yet? They claim it will greatly increase your WiFi
> > reception for little money.
> >
> >  I'm thinking : not having to leave your campsite to check weather, email
> > from Gerry, etc..
> >
> >  My meager knowledge of antenna theory says it should work. Plenty web
> > info about it too. Google WokFi or WarDriving also.
> >
> >
> > http://greatgreengadgets.com/gadgets/2007/06/18/try-wifry-anyone/
> >
> > http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_102507/article.html
> >
> > http://www.instructables.com/id/Wifi-Signal-Strainer-WokFi/
> >
> > --
> > Ken Lewis
> > http://neksiwel.20m.com/
> >
>