Wireless internet

[kf4lne]

I have been playing with some modified 802.11b devices and modified 18 inch dishes tonight after reading an article in CQ about using 802.11b devices in the 2.4 GHz ham band. Another idea popped into my mind after remembering a conversation I had had with another ham last feild day about high speed internet at contest sites. I am going to begin experimenting with the 2.4 GHz band to pass high speed networking over long distances and would like to get all the input I can. So far I have passed it over 500 yards through trees and other crap that always seems to be in the way and have managed to maintain the connection for about 3 hours (I am using it as I type). Now, the idea is to get max range out of off-the-shelf 802.11b devices with simple mods for antenna connections and such. Also, if anyone has any input as to improving the transmitter please let me know as well. Before anyone goes off the deep end here about violating FCC rules and such, several of the 802.11b channels are part of the 2.4 GHz ham band (the first 7 i think). If you have a copy Feb 03 CQ check out the article and pass the info on. Now, before anyone tries to share internet with every ham in a 4 county radius check with your provider to be sure this kind of thing is cool with them. Radio police complaining about tieing up a chunk of the 2.4 GHz band is one thing, but getting busted for violating your internet providers




More info about 802.11b

http://www.vocal.com/data_sheets/80211b_fre.html

[ae4fa]

You may have already done so, but look at:

http://www.oreillynet.com/cs/weblog/view/wlg/448

http:/www.arrl.org/hsmm

Interesting!

[kf4lne]

I've used the chip can antennas before with some success, but not with the distance they are claiming to be possable.

[KD5UJZ]

you can get 21dbi parabolic dishes for 2.4 ghz from ramseyelectronics.com. I think they charge about $50-70

[WA2ZDY]

Well, the Ramsey kit for that price is the dish without the feedpoint electronics, etc. I'm no microwave guy, all I know is how to put my dish together and point it in the right direction, but it seems to me maybe buying the feedpoint electronics and stuff from Ramsey and using that with the dish he already has might be a good idea.

Just my thoughts. I have no need for this stuff here. My wireless LAN does what I need it to do as it is.

Good luck,

[kf4lne]

Actually I already have a dish that works well. I mounted a crossed yagi for 2.4 GHz where the LNB used to be mounted. it works well. While playing around with it last night i did manage to find a few active channels in my area, and someone is cranking out some serious power on channel 10, i felt the need to send a net send message and ask a location, and he/she/it replied with a street over 2 miles away, literally across town! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif