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    antenna, wireless access point or repeater?

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by kitnguye, Feb 27, 2005.

  1. kitnguye

    kitnguye Newbie

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    Hi all: I was hoping you knowledgeable folks could point me in the right direction.

    Hubby is stationed in Iraq right now on a base which allows wireless internet with a wireless card (cost: $26 for 10 hours service). Hubby has no control over the source. Not sure how it's being broadcast, but he has a wireless card which can pick up the signal when he is sitting outside with the laptop. However, when he is sitting inside his trailer (living quarters), his signal goes down dramatically and he isn't able to stay connected reliably. In order to get a better signal in his trailer, would he need a wireless access point in the trailer with an antenna outside the trailer, maybe? Or would a repeater do it? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Kim
     
    kitnguye, Feb 27, 2005
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  2. olyteddy

    olyteddy Notebook Deity

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    An external antenna is best, but if the laptop has a built in wireless card you can't just hook one up. He might be able to use a USB Wireless adapter, and run the cable out the window, positioning the adapter for best signal. Some PCMCIA wireless cards, notably the Norinco models, can connect to an external antenna.

    First PC = Vic-20, 8" 128KB Home-Brew Floppy Drive ... Current Rig = eMachines m6805 ... Quantum Leap?
     
    olyteddy, Feb 27, 2005
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  3. kitnguye

    kitnguye Newbie

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    <blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by olyteddy
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    kitnguye, Feb 27, 2005
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  4. Quikster

    Quikster Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    If it's possible to add an external antena that would be all he could really do since he has no control over the source the only other thing he might be able to do is get a bridge to a wireless access point or switch/router

    zx5000 :: 2.4M :: 512 DDR :: 40gb 4200 RPM HD :: 15.4" :: Radeon 9600 Mobilty M10 :: Aquamark3 22,856
     
    Quikster, Feb 28, 2005
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  5. olyteddy

    olyteddy Notebook Deity

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    <blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by kitnguye

    Thanks so much for the quick response, oly. The laptop does not have a built-in wireless. I think he is using a Dlink Airplus G wireless card which kind of sticks out of the side of the laptop. With that in mind, does he need anything besides the external antenna? Will he need another "something" to get the wireless card to "talk" to the antenna? Is this what the access point is for, or is the wireless access point unnecessary? Your response references "Norinco" wireless cards... does this imply that only Norinco cards will work with an antenna? Sorry for all the additional questions -- I am just trying to nail down all the answers for this hardware challenged user :)
    <hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>
    I just looked at the D-link Airplus pages, and it doesn't appear to support an external antenna without modifying the card. That is why I mentioned the Orinoco (my previous spelling error) cards, they can use an external antenna. A USB based wi-fi card will have a cord attached to it, allowing you to place it outside the trailer, much as you would an external antenna.

    First PC = Vic-20, 8" 128KB Home-Brew Floppy Drive ... Current Rig = eMachines m6805 ... Quantum Leap?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    olyteddy, Feb 28, 2005
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