This DSE sweetie is based on a ZyDAS chipset,& seems to perform almost as well as esteemed Orinocos under XP. LAB NOTES text below intended to document rather than entertain & enthuse- suggest you stay with images for the latter!Ģ1 April 2004: The long awaited NetStumber 0.4 ( + PDA MiniStumb.) is just out ! ( Of course we've been trying all sorts of Wi-Fi cards to hand! Originally NS only favoured Orinoco PCMCIA, but the latest flavour IS talking to such cheapies as the popular NZ Dick Smith Electronics (DSE) NZ$69 USB thumbĭongle adaptor (cat XH6822). The author- who first wrangled antenna as a radio ham in the 1960s- is a career educator with a flair for innovation, with extensive hands on WiFi experiences - has insights into "his" 2002 Lucent Orinoco PCMCIA driven Sardine Can Biquad antenna. Guess our project even has East meets West cross cultural aspects- in the style of Kiwi Fruit evolving from Chinese Gooseberries !? Lab note jottings below pix rather blog style,but arose during an educational WiFi workout & are intended to stimulate others into similar DIY investigation. NZ Kiwi's are champions of such #8 wire ingenuity,with our electric fences a typical appropriate technology. NB-the phrase "Poor Man" is not usually considered insulting, but indicates (possibly with a degree of DIY pride) a desire to "make it do, use it up, wear it out" while laterally solving a problem. BUT -short on reading time? Documenting lab notes & links too dry? Need WLAN access pronto? No Asian cookware? Check fast track INSTRUCTABLES such as our Poor Man's WiFi or the associated sieve, steamer or scoop inspired spin offs instead!
ĭIY antenna details best followed from pix -click on a thumbnail for full size (800 x 600) images. NB-unless you use more powerful USB adapters (such as ALFA & Senao offerings mentioned below),weak USB adapter output power may mean you now hear more stronger APs than you can link back to. This altruistic educational project is hosted (free!) by ORCON in "down under" New Zealand - a mirror is at => => (Italy) Make 2.4GHz parabolic mesh dishes from cheap but sturdy Chinese cookware scoops & a USB WiFi adaptor! The largest so called "WIFRY" or "WOKTENNA" (12"= 300mm diam) shows 12-15dB gain (enough for a LOS range extension to 3-5km),costs ~US$5 & comes with a user friendly bamboo handle that suits WLAN fieldwork- if you can handle the curious stares! Neater boutique versions may better appeal indoors.
USB adaptors & DIY antenna = "Poor Man's WiFi" ?