Want small Access Point to share Internet Access during travel

I often take an Access Point with me on trips so I can share Internet
access with co-workers. When there's no free WiFi in the air I order
broadband service in the hotel room and hookup an AP. We ask for
rooms near each other or facing the same courtyard so that the signal
reaches. Ultimately, a few other hotel guests connect, I leave the AP
open (default password changed) with the hope that others will do the
same. We make sure that our firewalls are on and laptops are current
with patches, virus detection, and spyware detection.
I also like the ability to use the laptop anywhere in the hotel room
without the wire.

The problem with this setup is that my AP is somewhat large - I hate
to admit that I've been lugging the non-stealth BEFW11S4. Although I
carry a smaller (dual voltage) power supply than the cheapo (single
voltage) one that came with the AP.

Are you aware of a small Access Point on the market? Are there any
that connect to USB for power and network? I'd like to occasionally
share a subscription WiFi service via ICS in an airport lounge,
airplane, coffee shop, etc. A small AP would make this easier.

You might want to search the archives, since I'm sure your first
question has been asked and answered already. I recommend Apple
Airport or D-Link DWL-800AP+. USB client devices like the Ashton
Digital Airdash are pretty small, but are not access points. I guess
I'm not sure what you mean by connecting "to USB for... network."

(E-Mail Removed) (Chris) wrote in message news:<(E-Mail Removed). com>...
> Are you aware of a small Access Point on the market? Are there any
> that connect to USB for power and network? I'd like to occasionally
> share a subscription WiFi service via ICS in an airport lounge,
> airplane, coffee shop, etc. A small AP would make this easier.

Have you tried using ad-hoc mode to connect your PCs? That way you could
avoid having an AP completely. You might need a second WiFi card in your
notebook, if you are accessing the internet via an access port.

Mike Schumann

"Chris" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> I often take an Access Point with me on trips so I can share Internet
> access with co-workers. When there's no free WiFi in the air I order
> broadband service in the hotel room and hookup an AP. We ask for
> rooms near each other or facing the same courtyard so that the signal
> reaches. Ultimately, a few other hotel guests connect, I leave the AP
> open (default password changed) with the hope that others will do the
> same. We make sure that our firewalls are on and laptops are current
> with patches, virus detection, and spyware detection.
> I also like the ability to use the laptop anywhere in the hotel room
> without the wire.
>
> The problem with this setup is that my AP is somewhat large - I hate
> to admit that I've been lugging the non-stealth BEFW11S4. Although I
> carry a smaller (dual voltage) power supply than the cheapo (single
> voltage) one that came with the AP.
>
> Are you aware of a small Access Point on the market? Are there any
> that connect to USB for power and network? I'd like to occasionally
> share a subscription WiFi service via ICS in an airport lounge,
> airplane, coffee shop, etc. A small AP would make this easier.