Real noob questions

I live in a small rural town in the backwoods. We have phoned
internet and a wireless provider.
The wireless antenna is about 800 meters away, i can see it
from the roof of my house. From the roof to my router (I use coyote on
a dial up) measures 4 meters.
From what I understand I will need an antenna, cable, a
pigtail and a pci wireless card.

So here are the questions:

Antenna -- would a simple wire antenna pointed at the source
be adequate ? Or one of these semi-parabolic antennas ? Like these :

http://www.gtnet.com.br/images/fotos_produtos/98.jpg

http://img.mercadolivre.com.br/jm/im...1_6148.jpg&v=I

Cable - a lot of people here use RG 58, and say that at short
distances like 4 meters the loss is very small, 10% below a RG 213 .
Is this true ?

Pigtail - any secrets ? Do I need one if I use RG 58 ?

PCI wireless card - is there a cheap , good, all-operating
system chipset, like the realtek 8029-8129 are for ethernet ? I intend
to use it under linux and windows.

I've browsed dozens of pages, but most just sell. Few explain
anything at all.
TIA

Shadow wrote:
> I live in a small rural town in the backwoods. We have phoned
> internet and a wireless provider.
> The wireless antenna is about 800 meters away, i can see it
> from the roof of my house. From the roof to my router (I use coyote on
> a dial up) measures 4 meters.
> From what I understand I will need an antenna, cable, a
> pigtail and a pci wireless card.

First ask the wireless provider what it takes to be a user.

Shadow <sh@dow> wrote in news:(E-Mail Removed):

> I live in a small rural town in the backwoods. We have phoned
> internet and a wireless provider.
> The wireless antenna is about 800 meters away, i can see it
> from the roof of my house. From the roof to my router (I use coyote on
> a dial up) measures 4 meters.
> From what I understand I will need an antenna, cable, a
> pigtail and a pci wireless card.
>
> So here are the questions:
>
> Antenna -- would a simple wire antenna pointed at the source
> be adequate ? Or one of these semi-parabolic antennas ? Like these :
>
> http://www.gtnet.com.br/images/fotos_produtos/98.jpg
>
> http://img.mercadolivre.com.br/jm/im...1_6148.jpg&v=I
>
> Cable - a lot of people here use RG 58, and say that at short
> distances like 4 meters the loss is very small, 10% below a RG 213 .
> Is this true ?
>
> Pigtail - any secrets ? Do I need one if I use RG 58 ?
>
> PCI wireless card - is there a cheap , good, all-operating
> system chipset, like the realtek 8029-8129 are for ethernet ? I intend
> to use it under linux and windows.
>
> I've browsed dozens of pages, but most just sell. Few explain
> anything at all.
> TIA


As DTC said, you need to contact the provider to see what is required.

Just because it's wireless DOESN'T mean it is 802.11x. Many companies
manufacture wireless systems that are proprietary, NOT 802.11. Take for
example the Motorola Canopy 900 system....900 mHz and ABSOLUTELY NOT
802.11x.

Furthermore, it's MY opinion that any ISP that wants to be reliable, and
appear to be not just another fly-by-night WISP, would NOT use commodity
802.11x gear.

On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 01:37:17 -0200, Shadow <sh@dow> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed)>:

> I live in a small rural town in the backwoods. We have phoned
>internet and a wireless provider.
> The wireless antenna is about 800 meters away, i can see it
>from the roof of my house. From the roof to my router (I use coyote on
>a dial up) measures 4 meters.
> From what I understand I will need an antenna, cable, a
>pigtail and a pci wireless card.

Not necessarily -- you'll lose lots of signal in a 4 meter cable.
That's pretty far, and you'll probably need to avoid signal losses.
Better to use a USB, so no cable signal loss, and locate a USB wireless
adapter and antenna where it has clear line of sight to the access
point. Hawking makes a USB adapter with dish antenna that might be
enough to get the job done. Otherwise use a USB adapter with external
antenna connector and a high-gain directional antenna (e.g., bigger
dish).

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 13:24:03 GMT, DTC <no_spam@move_along_folks.foob>
wrote:

>Shadow wrote:
>> I live in a small rural town in the backwoods. We have phoned
>> internet and a wireless provider.
>> The wireless antenna is about 800 meters away, i can see it
>> from the roof of my house. From the roof to my router (I use coyote on
>> a dial up) measures 4 meters.
>> From what I understand I will need an antenna, cable, a
>> pigtail and a pci wireless card.
>
>First ask the wireless provider what it takes to be a user.
I did, it takes +- one months salary for an antenna, 10 meters
of RG 58 cable, an old samsung wireless pci card.
http://www.samcoaustralia.com.au/sit...asp?prodID=120

Monopoly is a wonderful thing, if you are on the other side.
The guy hides as much tech details as possible, but I believe the
control is done by MAC address.

You get a 11kbps connection, for +- 1/10 of a months salary.
This is slightly cheaper than the phone option. Also the phone is max
5 kbs.
You have to give the equips back if you cancel the contract,
plus the balance of one years fee, if you cancel before a year is up.

So I decided to try to set my own one up. See how strong the
signal is, etc before signing up. No way I can hack here, pple would
turn me in very soon. So no worries there.
The questions stand.

(Sorry I use the expression "salary " instead of figures in
dollars, or whatever. People have no idea how low salaries are in the
third world)

On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 18:21:39 +0100 (CET), DanS
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Shadow <sh@dow> wrote in news:(E-Mail Removed):

>-------CUT------

>>
>> I've browsed dozens of pages, but most just sell. Few explain
>> anything at all.
>> TIA
>

>
>As DTC said, you need to contact the provider to see what is required.
Please see my reply to him about setup.
>
>Just because it's wireless DOESN'T mean it is 802.11x.
In this case, it is.
>Many companies
>manufacture wireless systems that are proprietary, NOT 802.11. Take for
>example the Motorola Canopy 900 system....900 mHz and ABSOLUTELY NOT
>802.11x.
I understand that. We live in different worlds
>
>Furthermore, it's MY opinion that any ISP that wants to be reliable, and
>appear to be not just another fly-by-night WISP,
?
> would NOT use commodity 802.11x gear.
Please read my other reply
And if possible, reply to original questions
[]'s

A wireless howto anywhere ? All I found are more concerned
with lap tops within the house, or wardriving. Nothing like the
excellent linux ethernet howto.

On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 16:22:08 -0200, Shadow <sh@dow> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed)>:

> A wireless howto anywhere ? All I found are more concerned
>with lap tops within the house, or wardriving. Nothing like the
>excellent linux ethernet howto.

See wikis below. Let me know what you think is missing.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 18:07:10 GMT, John Navas
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 01:37:17 -0200, Shadow <sh@dow> wrote in
><(E-Mail Removed)>:
>
>> I live in a small rural town in the backwoods. We have phoned
>>internet and a wireless provider.
>> The wireless antenna is about 800 meters away, i can see it
>>from the roof of my house. From the roof to my router (I use coyote on
>>a dial up) measures 4 meters.
>> From what I understand I will need an antenna, cable, a
>>pigtail and a pci wireless card.
>
>Not necessarily -- you'll lose lots of signal in a 4 meter cable.
>That's pretty far, and you'll probably need to avoid signal losses.
>Better to use a USB, so no cable signal loss, and locate a USB wireless
>adapter and antenna where it has clear line of sight to the access
>point. Hawking makes a USB adapter with dish antenna that might be
>enough to get the job done.
Not available here, also I cannot see the provider antenna
from where I am, only from the roof.
>Otherwise use a USB adapter with external
>antenna connector and a high-gain directional antenna (e.g., bigger
>dish).
Great links you sent. But ... they all think you are an expert
in antennas ....
http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/Ez-10/

This is supposed to be the easiest one, but there is no
mention on how to connect it to PC or even how to point it ....
[]'s

On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 17:15:49 -0200, Shadow <sh@dow> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed)>:

>On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 18:07:10 GMT, John Navas
><(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>>Not necessarily -- you'll lose lots of signal in a 4 meter cable.
>>That's pretty far, and you'll probably need to avoid signal losses.
>>Better to use a USB, so no cable signal loss, and locate a USB wireless
>>adapter and antenna where it has clear line of sight to the access
>>point. Hawking makes a USB adapter with dish antenna that might be
>>enough to get the job done.

> Not available here,

Check out Buffalo Tech.

>also I cannot see the provider antenna
>from where I am, only from the roof.

I meant to put the USB adapter and antenna on the roof.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

Shadow wrote:
> On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 13:24:03 GMT, DTC <no_spam@move_along_folks.foob>
> wrote:
>
>> Shadow wrote:
>>> I live in a small rural town in the backwoods. We have phoned
>>> internet and a wireless provider.
>>> The wireless antenna is about 800 meters away, i can see it
>>> from the roof of my house. From the roof to my router (I use coyote on
>>> a dial up) measures 4 meters.
>>> From what I understand I will need an antenna, cable, a
>>> pigtail and a pci wireless card.
>> First ask the wireless provider what it takes to be a user.
> I did, it takes +- one months salary for an antenna, 10 meters
> of RG 58 cable, an old samsung wireless pci card.
> http://www.samcoaustralia.com.au/sit...asp?prodID=120


> Monopoly is a wonderful thing, if you are on the other side.
> The guy hides as much tech details as possible, but I believe the
> control is done by MAC address.

Granted its a monopoly, by definition where there is only one provider of
service. He's a monopoly because there is no incentive for competition. As
its HIS system, he has every right to be proprietary about it. Regardless
what authentication he uses, its exclusively at his discretion on who he
allows to use his service.

> You get a 11kbps connection, for +- 1/10 of a months salary.
> This is slightly cheaper than the phone option. Also the phone is max
> 5 kbs.

I really don't understand what you are saying. Even at the end of a long
telephone loop, you can get at least an 18 kbps connection (unless there
are sever line impairments - and you would definitely know that was clicks,
pops, and squeals on a telephone call. Even a cheap Walmart internet
account is on only $10 a month. So what you are saying doesn't make sense.

> You have to give the equips back if you cancel the contract,
> plus the balance of one years fee, if you cancel before a year is up.

Annual commitments with an early termination fee are normal.

> So I decided to try to set my own one up. See how strong the
> signal is, etc before signing up. No way I can hack here, pple would
> turn me in very soon. So no worries there.

Be fore you even try that, you'll need to find out some very very basic
points of his operation.
> I did, it takes +- one months salary for an antenna, 10 meters
> of RG 58 cable, an old samsung wireless pci card.

And what did you find out? Is he locked in at 802.11B or g? What
authentication does he use (oops, you don't know that yet). 33 feet if RG58
cable, ummm...you need to study a bit more on cable losses.

http://www.samcoaustralia.com.au/sit...asp?prodID=120
HUH???? Why are you shopping in Australia?? Where are you from?
Try a Linksys Wireless-G PCI Adapter

And if you ARE from Australia? The laws there are entirely different for
wireless ISP operators. Are you sure he is operating a legal biz?