measure signal quality

Hi, I've got a Dlink 614+ and a Dlink DWL 900+ about 2 miles apart. How can
I measure the signal quality (cheaply), to aid in alligning the antennas?
Thanks,
Jerry

In article <CgLOa.2992$(E-Mail Removed) >,
(E-Mail Removed) says...
> Hi, I've got a Dlink 614+ and a Dlink DWL 900+ about 2 miles apart. How can
> I measure the signal quality (cheaply), to aid in alligning the antennas?

My stock response is that you'll probably have to use a laptop with a
card that can accept an external antenna via a pigtail.

David.

Given the distance and your question, I'm assuming you are also planning on
using directional antennas (on both ends). I believe you can setup the 900+
into a bridge or client mode, and there is a survey of sorts that will
detect other APs (such as the 614). However, I don't think the 900 survey
feature (if that's what its called) provides any signal strength indication.

You need to purchase some other device that provides this. Depending on how
important this is to you, you can rent wireless test gear, but even the
rental is likely to cost as much as buying an additional adapter, etc. To
ensure you are functionally testing the same antenna alignment as between
the 614 & 900+, you need to get some adapter that will use the same external
antenna as the 900+. Dlink makes/OEMs a number of different antennas -- if
you happen to be using them, find another inexpensive device that can use
the same antenna. Don't know what your two locations are like, but it
usually easy to find a desktop PCI adapter that will take an external
antenna than a PCMCIA.


"Jerry Smith" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:CgLOa.2992$(E-Mail Removed) et...
> Hi, I've got a Dlink 614+ and a Dlink DWL 900+ about 2 miles apart. How
can
> I measure the signal quality (cheaply), to aid in alligning the antennas?
> Thanks,
> Jerry
>
>

Dave Hockenberry wrote:
>
> Given the distance and your question, I'm assuming you are also planning on
> using directional antennas (on both ends). I believe you can setup the 900+
> into a bridge or client mode, and there is a survey of sorts that will
> detect other APs (such as the 614). However, I don't think the 900 survey
> feature (if that's what its called) provides any signal strength indication.
>
> You need to purchase some other device that provides this. Depending on how
> important this is to you, you can rent wireless test gear, but even the
> rental is likely to cost as much as buying an additional adapter, etc. To
> ensure you are functionally testing the same antenna alignment as between
> the 614 & 900+, you need to get some adapter that will use the same external
> antenna as the 900+. Dlink makes/OEMs a number of different antennas -- if
> you happen to be using them, find another inexpensive device that can use
> the same antenna. Don't know what your two locations are like, but it
> usually easy to find a desktop PCI adapter that will take an external
> antenna than a PCMCIA.
>
> "Jerry Smith" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:CgLOa.2992$(E-Mail Removed) et...
> > Hi, I've got a Dlink 614+ and a Dlink DWL 900+ about 2 miles apart. How
> can
> > I measure the signal quality (cheaply), to aid in alligning the antennas?
> > Thanks,
> > Jerry
> >
> >

A DWL520+ is the PCI option (from dlink) and has the same connector as
the 900+ so you could sub a PC with the AP and then get a signal
reading. They are about £38.
--
Martin Saltiel

These computers will never catch on...

I have a less costly answer. You don't need to measure signal quality to
align the antennas.