Oops. I dropped my ISP's jury-rigged rooftop antenna - Did research -Will these replacement parts work?

Note: Pictures included for clarifying detail!

Summary:
I need to replace my directional 2.4Ghz planar (panel?) rooftop antenna &
jury-rigged bridge (see pics); BUT I need advice from you guys (Jeff L.
perhaps?) on replacing the jury-rigged bridge tie wrapped inside the
rooftop enclosure.

Here is a picture of the mess INSIDE of the (now broken) rooftop antenna
after I dropped it trying to replace the POE cat5 cable! (ouch!) http://
bayimg.com/hAHEgAadk

Here is a picture of the crazy "bridge" jury-rigged by the ISP I found
inside the rooftop antenna housing: http://bayimg.com/haHEfAAdK

Here is a pictures of my (failed) attempt to connect directly to the
'bridge' inside the rooftop antenna housing: http://bayimg.com/HaHEeaaDK

Here is a picture of the outside of the rooftop antenna (indicating it's
a directional antenna): http://bayimg.com/haHEoAadk

ADVICE:
I mostly need advice because, after doing research, I'm confused about
what antenna & bridge will replace what I have with at least as good or
better equipment than the jury-rigged stuff the ISP previously installed.

Specifically I need advice on these three questions:
Q1: Can I use any store-bought 2.4Ghz 14 to 18 Dbi dish or panel outdoor
'antenna' to replace the existing 6-year-old planar antenna? (Does it
matter if it's a dish or a panel?)

Q2: Can I use "just any" store-bought POE outdoor 'router' to replace the
POE "bridge" inside the rooftop-antenna housing?

Q3: How would I match the MAC address of the existing Ethernet card?

DETAILS:
My connection is beamed to me by my ISP to my POE rooftop antenna (which
has a jury-rigged bridge inside the enclosure!). The previous owner paid
about $300 to the ISP to install this contraption 6 years ago but I never
knew the horror that was inside until this weekend (see pictures).

Basically, I dropped the assembly (trying to replace the cat5 wire) and
want to replace both the antenna & the bridge and need advice for
choosing BETTER components than which the ISP will install.

Of course, the ISP will come out, for another $300, and install another
'crummy' setup ... (see pictures to understand what I mean); but can't I
just buy QUALITY components for about the same amount of money if I just
do my homework and get the right advice?

WIRING:
There was an intermittent POE connection so I bought a new cat 5 cable &
in the process of replacing it on the roof end, I dropped the antenna
housing (containing a bridge tie-wrapped inside) to the ground.

One end of the 12 volt DC POE box attaches to the "Long range wireless
multi-client bridge" (see pic) inside the rooftop antenna housing and the
other end attaches to my WRT54G router inside my single-family home.

All my end point computer devices (me and the kids) are 801.11g (i.e.,
not N). Googling, based on the six-year old vintage of the rooftop
antenna, I presume the rooftop antenna was 2.4Ghz (and not 5 Ghz).

The ISP appears to validate my subscription by the MAC address on the
PCMCIA ethernet card inside the jury-rigged bridge inside the rooftop
antenna enclosure; so, I could just tell them the new MAC address or
better yet, just change the MAC address of the new setup to that of the
old.

HOMEWORK:
I was appalled at the jury rigging inside the enclosure (see pictures);
and would simply like to replace the setup with BETTER equipment (for
about the same cost that the ISP would charge me).

I don't know how much power I need, but, the ISP's antenna that feeds
mine is about a half a mile away, through some trees, on a mountain top.
I'm guessing the original (based on googling only) is about 18dBi.

PROPOSAL:
Researching, can I replace the old antenna with a $50 to $75 outdoor 2.4
Ghz directional dish antenna of about 14 dBi to 18 dBi from
wlanparts.com ?

My big question is how do I replace the 'bridge'? I know what a router
is, but, after reading what a bridge is, I'm confused. It seems like a
router to me.

Can I just replace the 'bridge' that was jury-rigged inside the antenna
enclosure with a Ubiquity.com outdoor 2.4 Ghz Bullet2 HP high-power POE
router?

I know how to change the MAC address on my Linksys WRT54G router; can I
just change the MAC address on that ubiquity outdoor router so that it
acts just like the ISP's original (jury rigged) setup?

Thanks in advance, and, I'm sorry if this is too much detail.

To summarize (before I buy the parts):
Q1: Can I replace my rooftop panel antenna with this store-bought dish
antenna?
* 2.4 GHz 19dBi Gain Grid parabolic Dish N-Female, by Laird
* http://www.wlanparts.com/product/GD2...dBi-Gain-Grid-
parabolic-Dish-N-Female.html

Q2: Can I replace the bridge the ISP tie wrapped to the antenna with this
store-bought 'router'? (Would getting an 802.11n be better than a 802.11g
for my use?)
* Ubiquiti BULLET-M2-HP Outdoor 802.11n 802.11g, by Ubiquiti
* http://www.wlanparts.com/product/BUL...-BULLET-M2-HP-
Outdoor-80211n-80211g.html

Q3: How can I change the MAC of the new router to that of the old PCMCIA
ethernet card currently jury-rigged inside the old (now broken) enclosure?

On Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:49:58 +0000, Sam Harrison wrote:

Drat. I tried so hard to give you all the details but the URLs had line
feeds inserted somehow so here are tinyurl urls.

Repeating the pics because the URLs had line feeds inserted in them.
- ISP contraption = http://bayimg.com/hAHEgAadk
- ISP bridge with PCMCIA card = http://bayimg.com/haHEfAAdK
- My attempt to 'access' the PCMCIA card = http://bayimg.com/HaHEeaaDK
- The planar? antenna I need to repladce = http://bayimg.com/haHEoAadk

Repeating the questions with (non-truncated) tinyurl links:
Q1: Can I replace the ISP's old antenna with this newer better one?
* 2.4 GHz 19dBi Gain Grid parabolic Dish N-Female, by Laird
* http://tinyurl.com/3mnxaqu

Q2: Can I replace the ISP's jury-rigged "bridge" with this "router"?
* * BULLET-M2-HP Outdoor 802.11n 802.11g, by Ubiquiti
* http://tinyurl.com/32yjmhh

Q3: Can I change the MAC address on this router to match the original
'bridge'? (Bear in mind, I'm still confused about the difference between
a router and a bridge; and that I have no problem changing the MAC on my
Linksys WRT54G router; but I could not connect to the ISP's bridge even
when I wired it directly to my laptop PC).

TIA,for your advice!

On Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:04:44 +0000 (UTC), Sam Harrison
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>On Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:49:58 +0000, Sam Harrison wrote:
>
>Drat. I tried so hard to give you all the details but the URLs had line
>feeds inserted somehow so here are tinyurl urls.
If you could read the model numbers/names on the things, it
would help a lot
>
>Repeating the pics because the URLs had line feeds inserted in them.
>- ISP contraption = http://bayimg.com/hAHEgAadk
>- ISP bridge with PCMCIA card = http://bayimg.com/haHEfAAdK
>- My attempt to 'access' the PCMCIA card = http://bayimg.com/HaHEeaaDK
>- The planar? antenna I need to repladce = http://bayimg.com/haHEoAadk
>
>Repeating the questions with (non-truncated) tinyurl links:
>Q1: Can I replace the ISP's old antenna with this newer better one?
>* 2.4 GHz 19dBi Gain Grid parabolic Dish N-Female, by Laird
>* http://tinyurl.com/3mnxaqu
Yes, I presume it's a B or G wireless, if it's 6 years old.
>
>Q2: Can I replace the ISP's jury-rigged "bridge" with this "router"?
>* * BULLET-M2-HP Outdoor 802.11n 802.11g, by Ubiquiti
>* http://tinyurl.com/32yjmhh
Maybe, just check if they use MAC identification or WEP/WPA,
or both. You will need to replicate that. If you have the password to
the "bridge"/AP you can see how it's configured
>
>Q3: Can I change the MAC address on this router to match the original
>'bridge'? (Bear in mind, I'm still confused about the difference between
>a router and a bridge; and that I have no problem changing the MAC on my
>Linksys WRT54G router; but I could not connect to the ISP's bridge even
>when I wired it directly to my laptop PC).
Could not connect because of the password, or because you
don't know what address/port gives you the setup ? Try nmap scanning
it to see what ports are open. Maybe even a simple traceroute will
give you an idea.
>TIA,for your advice!
Really, we need more data. Jeff will probably identify your
setup by the pics. I can't.
[]'s

On Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:04:44 +0000, Sam Harrison wrote:
> Q2: Can I replace the ISP's jury-rigged "bridge" with this "router"? * *

You can't replace the isp antenna with your antenna because you have to
use the exact right combination provided by your isp

Only the isp can talk to their network because of software inside the
bridge

And you can't use the router either because the router works on the ip
layer but you need a bridge which only works on the mac layer

Call the isp and let them put new the antenna & bridge as you obviously
can't do it yourself if you ask such questions as what's the difference

hub ==> all data goes to all ports
bridge ==> a mac filter, one mac to another, all other macs rejected
switch ==> more than one bridge so it still filters one mac to another
router ==> one ip address to others

On Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:49:58 +0000 (UTC), Sam Harrison
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Note: Pictures included for clarifying detail!
I ID'd it. It's a Senao SL-2511CB3 Plus Deluxe
http://wi-fi.tetis.dp.ua/brand/SENAO/

Apart from the fact it's a "B",and can use WEP I can't
understand anything else from the page. So yes, a normal parabolic
antenna would be fine.
[]'s

Google translate: (Ugghh ... Ukranian..)

Wireless bridge WLAN, NL/SL-2511CB3 - 200 mylyVatt standard
IEEE802.11b (Wi-Fi) Ethernet bridge Senao
Senao Nayluchshaya model from the total model row Senao
Obespechyvaet vsokuyu Productivity and hybkost when you install
23dBm(200mW) RF, 10 Multi-Client Bridge, Vhodnaya
capacity of up to 23dBm (200mW) RF, Radyus Actions nearly 10 times
higher than point to Multi-Client Bridge, Skorost data transmission
virtually two times higher than the figure second analohychnh Device
point-to-point, Point-to-multipoint , AP . Besprorvodnoe soedynenye
point-to-point, Point-to-multipoint, AP mode. SL2511CB3+ Deluxe,
NL-2511CB3 Plus, NL-2611CB3 Plus - SL2511CB3 + Deluxe, NL-2511CB3
Plus, NL-2611CB3 Plus-radio modem
/ technical characteristics /
Senao SL-2511CB3 Plus Deluxe /E(F200): fychy Senao SL-2511CB3 Plus
Deluxe / E (F200):
NL-2511CB3 23dBm(200mW) RF 9 Multi-Client Bridge
Vhodnaya capacity of NL-2511CB3 to 23dBm (200mW) RF Radyus Actions in
9 times higher than point to Multi-Client Bridge
11Mbps IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11 b Compatible with 11Mbps IEEE
802.11b Complete compatibility social standard IEEE 802.11 b
point-to-point, Point-to-multipoint Besprorvodnoe
soedynenye point-to-point, Point-to-multipoint Pozvolyaet DATA
conveyed by users between the two or the building of large numbers of
buildings
Plug and Play . Plug and Play ease soedynenyya Wireless Devices
with the broadcast. (Plug and Play). Not yspolzuet dopolnytelne
draver (Plug and Play).
Ethernet Power supply via Ethernet Hybkost in the location of
the value of preservation Devices
64 /128-bit WEP Encryption of data 64 / 128-bit WEP Moschnaya
Data Protection
SSID (AP Mode) , . The hidden SSID (AP Mode) prevents the
possibility of uses of frequencies nedopustymmy bar only by users that
the network uvelychyvaet Effectiveness.
DHCP Client DHCP Client Uproschennoe Administrative network
Web-based configuration web browser- Multi-Client Bridge.
Web-based configuration with the help of web browser-and perhaps
administrators osuschestvlyat dystantsyonnoe management of
Multi-Client Bridge.
MAC address (AP Mode) Filtering MAC address (AP Mode) Harantyruet

On Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:25:35 +0000 (UTC), Jeff Lanthum
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>On Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:04:44 +0000, Sam Harrison wrote:
>> Q2: Can I replace the ISP's jury-rigged "bridge" with this "router"? * *
>
>You can't replace the isp antenna with your antenna because you have to
>use the exact right combination provided by your isp
Why would a "IEEE802.11b (Wi-Fi) Ethernet bridge" need a
special antenna ?
[]'s
I can't figure out why the ISP went to so much expense to set
up a "B"/ WEP/MAC combo.
Senao is expensive, and that antenna looks really crummy. Why
not just a normal cheapo AP with an also cheapo directional parabolic
?
[]'s

On Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:18:30 -0300, Shadow wrote:
> If you could read the model numbers/names on the things, it
> would help a lot

Thanks for taking the time to help me out!

Here are better pictures of the model numbers.

1. The antenna only says "R24-14" & "Vertical Polarity" & "0415H1891".
Here is a new picture showing that clearly:
http://bayimg.com/eAhfhaadK

2. The bridge is jury rigged and tie wrapped by the ISP so that only the
bottom half exists (there was never a top half). All it says on the
bottom half is:
NL-2611CB3 PLUS (DELUXE) LONG RANGE WIRELESS MULTI-CLIENT BRIDGE
Made in Taiwan

Here is a pic that shows that clearly:
http://bayimg.com/haHEfAAdK

3. The PCMCIA dual-antenna ethernet card only says:
NL-2511CD PLUS EXT2(F200)CY
Here is a pic that shows that:
http://bayimg.com/fAhfGaADK

>>Q2: Can I replace the ISP's jury-rigged "bridge" with this "router"?
> Maybe, just check if they use MAC identification or WEP/WPA,
> or both. You will need to replicate that.

I've had the system up for about a year and never once had to add an
encryption key and I've changed routers in the meantime. So, I think they
'only' use MAC filtering.

So I need to replicate the MAC address on whatever outdoor POE router I
buy.

I've never needed any password to connect to my ISP and certainly I've
reset my router many times and it doesn't need anything to connect. It
can be any MAC address.

I 'think' I only need to replicate the MAC address of the bridge (or call
the ISP and tell them the new MAC address of my new setup when I buy it).

> If you have the password to the "bridge"/AP you can see how it's
configured.

This is the part that confuses me. There is no password, that I know of.
It's my equipment (the ISP built it and installed it years ago). Since I
have the card in my hand, why can't I just power it up and connect to it
(I held down the the reset button with a paper clip while the bridge was
powered and things blinked a lot so I think I reset it successfully but I
don't think there was ever a password because I can connect to the ISP if
I change my computer MAC address but the antenna stinks so it's only a
non-usable connection ... i.e., google takes a few minutes to come up to
the home page!).

Here's what I tried to connect to the bridge directly to my ubuntu PC:

From my Ubuntu PC RJ45 port, I connected to the POE power supply data
port and from the POE P+DATA power supply port I went to the RJ45 on the
bridge (which was exactly how it was before except my home router was in
place of my PC). All the lights variously lit up on the bridge (red and
two greens and one green triangle on the PCMCIA card itself).

Here's my question:
Q: What command connects to a bridge in this configuration?

For example, for my Linksys WRT54G router, I simply bring up
http://192.168.1.1 but for the bridge, what do I bring up?

Note: I pressed the reset button on the bridge but I don't know what
terminal command to ping the MAC address or the web browser command to
access the ethernet card. Do you?


> I could not connect to the ISP's bridge even
>>when I wired it directly to my laptop PC).

> Could not connect because of the password, or because you
> don't know what address/port gives you the setup

I pressed the reset button on the bridge. I just don't know how to
'connect' to a default bridge.

> Try nmap scanning it to see what ports are open.
OK. I'll look up nmap. Maybe that's what I'm missing!

> Maybe even a simple traceroute will give you an idea.
OK. I'll look up the Ubuntu traceroute command too!

On Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:18:30 -0300, Shadow wrote:
> Really, we need more data. Jeff will probably identify your
> setup by the pics. I can't.

I'll give you all the data I have!

I hope Jeff comes in and provides his advice!

I really want this to work!

On Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:18:30 -0300, Shadow wrote:
> If you could read the model numbers/names on the things, it
> would help a lot

The bridge is the crazy (see pic) jury-rigged part by the ISP!

The jury-rigged bridge was tie wrapped by the ISP into the antenna
enclosure with only the bottom half existing and with the single antenna
connection wire (on the bridge casing) cut off.

The antenna has a patch cable going from the center of the back plane to
one of the two tiny connections on the PCMCIA wifi card itself.

Googling the term below, the bridge appears to be "Senao Networks, Inc."
NL-2611CB3 PLUS (DELUXE) LONG RANGE WIRELESS MULTI-CLIENT BRIDGE

Here is a PDF about the bridge:
http://www.mondoplast.ro/download/se...-2611CB3-PLUS-
Deluxe-Spec.pdf

And here is, I think, the right datasheet:
http://www.mondoplast.net/datasheets...B3+Deluxe.html
- Up to 23dBm(200mW) RF Output Power
- 11Mbps IEEE 802.11b Compliant
- Power-over-Ethernet
- 64 /128-bit WEP data encryption
- Hide SSID (AP Mode)
- DHCP Client
- Web-based configuration <=== this might be how I can get into it!
- MAC address filtering (AP Mode)
- Data Transfer Rate 11, 5.5, 2 and 1 Mbps, Auto Fall-Back
- Frequency Band 2.400~2.484 GHz
- RF Output Power 23dBm(200mW)-FCC 20dBm(100mW)-CE

So, all I want to do is get as good (or better) an antenna and bridge as
what I had before I dropped it.

All advice will be read and welcome (I have to respond from a hotspot so
I may not be able to respond immediately!).

Thanks for any help - this is a learning experience and I want to LEARN
from you guys!

On Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:04:44 +0000 (UTC), Sam Harrison
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>- ISP contraption = http://bayimg.com/hAHEgAadk

I don't recognize the device, but it doesn't seem mechanically broken
other than a cracked case. Any internal or board damage? Is there a
maker, model number, or first 6 digits of the MAC address to identify
it?

>- ISP bridge with PCMCIA card = http://bayimg.com/haHEfAAdK

Engenius/Senao ML-2611CB3 Plus. I'm neutral on the quality. Some say
it's great, other say it's crap. No clue who's right.

>- My attempt to 'access' the PCMCIA card = http://bayimg.com/HaHEeaaDK

Your photos are marginal. No detail, mostly otto focus, too tiny, and
yucky GIF files. The answers you get are only going to be as detailed
as the info you supply. From the blurry image, I don't see anything
that looks incorrect. It should work. What exactly is broken or not
working?

>- The planar? antenna I need to repladce = http://bayimg.com/haHEoAadk

That's a RooTenna by Pacific Wireless
<http://www.fab-corp.com/product.php?productid=2845&cat=255&page=1>
15dBi gain claimed. I'm also a fan of science fiction.

>Repeating the questions with (non-truncated) tinyurl links:
>Q1: Can I replace the ISP's old antenna with this newer better one?
>* 2.4 GHz 19dBi Gain Grid parabolic Dish N-Female, by Laird
>* http://tinyurl.com/3mnxaqu

Sure, no problem. You're only trying to connect to one remote bridge
or access point, so there won't be any issues with coverage area. More
gain is always better.

>Q2: Can I replace the ISP's jury-rigged "bridge" with this "router"?
>* * BULLET-M2-HP Outdoor 802.11n 802.11g, by Ubiquiti
>* http://tinyurl.com/32yjmhh

Maybe. However, it's not plug-n-play. The Bullet M2 HP is my current
favorite and should work electrically. However, there are some
unanswered questions that you'll need to investigate:
1. If authentication is by MAC address, you'll need to change the
registration with the wireless WISP.
2. If the ISP system is using WEP/WPA/WPA2 encryption, you'll need to
get the password from the ISP.
3. If the ISP is setting the transmit power to avoid overload at the
central bridge or access point, you'll need to have them set it.
4. If the ISP is using 802.11b only, then you'll need to turn off
802.11g and 802.11n features.
5. If the ISP is using alternative firmware, such as DD-WRT, you'll
need get the correct version number, or have them do it.

Translation: It's not going to happen unless you first contact your
ISP.

>Q3: Can I change the MAC address on this router to match the original
>'bridge'? (Bear in mind, I'm still confused about the difference between
>a router and a bridge; and that I have no problem changing the MAC on my
>Linksys WRT54G router; but I could not connect to the ISP's bridge even
>when I wired it directly to my laptop PC).

I've never tried it, but this *MIGHT* work:

wlanconfig ath0 destroy
ifconfig wifi0 down
ifconfig wifi0 hw ether 11:22:33:44:55:66
ifconfig wifi0 up
wlanconfig ath0 create wlandev wifi0 wlanmode sta
ifconfig ath0 up

If it works, store this in
/etc/persistent/rc.poststart

Again, I haven't tried this, don't know if it works, don't consider
MAC address juggling to be ethically correct, and will not be
responsible if you trash your bridge, or your WISP kicks you off his
system for hacking.

>TIA,for your advice!

Why haven't you just called your WISP for help with repair or
replacement of the existing hardware? Presumably, it worked before it
was dropped and should be adequate for the purpose.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558