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Open Node In A Bag

Posted by timothy on from the bring-batteries dept.

adelayde writes "You're a wireless network engineer and you work on the run. You need a kit that gives you flexibily yet is light and portable. Style is also important to you. This article (mirrored here) describes just the kit you need, based on modifying the Apple AirPort base station with suggestions for a range of handy antenna attachments and includes component part numbers and prices as well as a complete set of range test results. Just the Jobs for the wireless engineer on the go." Update: 04/08 00:06 GMT by T : Here's another mirror, thanks to the story submitter ;)

4 of 95 comments (clear)

  1. why apple? by akb · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This article is pretty pointless to focus on Apple. Unforuntately clueless people will read it and assume that in order to use wireless they'll have to drill and void their warranty. The fact is there are plenty of other products for which none of that is necessary.

    The first time /. ran one of these "Mod your Airport" articles however many years ago it was cool but the wireless product landscape was very different then.

  2. For all the effort... by azav · · Score: 4, Insightful

    For all the effort to do this, it is worth it to pay the extra 50 (or so) bucks and get the Airport Extreme with the antenna jack.

    How much is your time worth after all?

    If it's not worth it then by all means, go ahead and drill.

    --
    - Zav - Imagine a Beowulf cluster of insensitive clods...
  3. I don't get it by g4dget · · Score: 2, Insightful

    "Wireless network engineers on the run" generally use something like a PocketPC or Zaurus, together with a CF WIFI card and a collection of wireless and network tools. That's smaller than the AirPort, battery operated, and far more flexible.

  4. blah by kwj8fty1 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    This is a pointless /. story.

    1. First of all, this 'airport', is really just an RG1100 with a different cover. Sure, you can connect antennas to it. But it's not a "MAC Only" think it's a "Windows thing" that just so happens to have MAC OSX drivers. Google on rg1000 + linux/windows. You'll find several java config tools. Moron.

    2. Anyone who really has the title 'wireless network engineer' would know that building homebrew antennas just isn't worth the time. most of them end up sucking, and it's MUCH cheaper to just purchase one online.

    3. Anyone who cared about the FCC regs wouldn't do this.

    4. To do real LOS tests, you want antenna systems with known gain & radial patterns.

    5. You'll want kistmet, as some other posters highly under-rated posted.