Accessing Networks From PC Card Adapter

I live in an apartment complex in Boulder, Colorado. I just
bought a D-Link DWL-650 P1 802.11b Adapter in hopes of finding some
networks or "hotpoints" around here especially the Best Western
Boulder Inn which is just west of us & has Wi-Fi. (don't have my own
network just looking for any others in range).
The results were interesting, if not baffling. The card works
fine in my hp/Compaq nx9020 laptop with Win Home XP. It shows several
networks with peculiar names like Gangsta or Netgear as well as 3701
and Ediga. The first come and go (weak) but the last 2 are always
there.
3701 is fairly weak, around 20-40% on D-Link's Site Survey.
The card won't connect to it; highlight it, click Connect and the disk
runs for a few seconds then nothing happens, the AOS (Acquisition Of
Signal) LED on the card blinks and task bar icons show no connection.
I wonder if this is the Best Western; anyway despite a measurable
signal my card just won't connect to it. Wonder why?
It will connect to Ediga which is very strong, 60-70%. Just
now a Site Survey showed it down to 37% but it didn't drop lock though
3701 won't connect at that signal strength. Unfortunately I can't do
anything with it. My card won't acquire a network or IP address; it
shows "Status: Limited or no connection". Repair reacquires it, it
looks for an address then gives up again. I don't know how to access
it; I wonder if it's a LAN here, perhaps in the apt. office.
I'd also like to try the elusive 3701, perhaps by bringing up
the signal. I've looked at booster antennas on the net but they all
require a coax connection (N type or maybe RG-58/U) to the card--which
has no connectors on it.
Earthlink says their Wi-Fi Laptop Service is "Coming Soon"; I
hope it'll help. I'm also suggesting the apt. office get Wi-Fi for
tenants.
Any ideas: how to access Ediga or get 3701 to connect? Thanks,
(E-Mail Removed)

On Fri, 27 May 2005 20:36:34 GMT, in alt.internet.wireless , Roger AC
Williams <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

(snip long post abuot trying to connect to various APs that show up in
a site survey)

The ones you think are strong but can't connect to are possibly
encrypted. Possibly the hotel won't want non-guests connecting.


--
Mark McIntyre
CLC FAQ <http://www.eskimo.com/~scs/C-faq/top.html>
CLC readme: <http://www.ungerhu.com/jxh/clc.welcome.txt>

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On Fri, 27 May 2005 20:36:34 GMT, Roger AC Williams
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> I live in an apartment complex in Boulder, Colorado. I just
>bought a D-Link DWL-650 P1 802.11b Adapter in hopes of finding some
>networks or "hotpoints" around here especially the Best Western
>Boulder Inn which is just west of us & has Wi-Fi.
(trimmed...)

Go to the Best Western lobby and ask them how much they charge for
wireless access. I was amazed to discover that as long as you're
willing to pay, some hotels, coffee shops, and book stores that offer
for pay wireless will be more than happy to take you money. I always
assumed that Boingo, T-Mobile, iPass, et al, had an exclusive on
re-selling wireless service from these locations. Apparently not.

List of WISP (wireless ISP's) in Colorado:

http://www.bbwexchange.com/mblast/mb...rtalID=COWISPS
Checking the directory for Boulder, I find:
http://www.ionsky.com
http://magnoliaroad.net

List of free wireless hot spots in Colorado:
http://www.wififreespot.com/co.html

One problem with your DWL-650 is that the stock circuit board antenna
doesn't really offer much in the way of range. Figure on 300ft max on
a good day. If the signal is awful, you'll need a better antenna (or
different radio). See:
http://c0rtex.com/~will/antenna/
for how to destroy your DWL-650 by adding a coax pigtail.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 AE6KS 831-336-2558