Wardriving Set up on Mast?

I have a small sail boat and want to set up a WarSailing set up on the
mast. I understand that the longer the cable the more loss in signal
strength.

How do I mount an antenna 20-feet up the mast with out mounting a
laptop 20 feet up?

I'd like something that works just like a laptop running NetStumbler
but mounted high up.
Thanks, Dan

Dan, I take it you are doing some coastal sailing as the wireless signals
wont carry very far out to sea.
You might try one of those high gain directional antennas that can be made
rather simply.
www.turnpoint.net/wireless/has.html

Or

For under $100 you can buy a wireless Ethernet bridge (Belkin makes the one
I use).
Waterproof it by whatever method you choose (plastic bag - plastic case) and
mount it on top the mast with the power and Ethernet cables running down to
your computer.
If you can find one with a detachable antenna you could mount it a bit lower
and place a high gain antenna at the very top of the mast.

However, I am not real sure the extra height would make much difference over
water.
Those high frequencies that wireless routers use are pretty much line of
sight.


In good weather I use a magnetic mount and attach the Ethernet bridge to the
top of my van.
It looks a bit weird but it sure works great.




"Dan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
>I have a small sail boat and want to set up a WarSailing set up on the
> mast. I understand that the longer the cable the more loss in signal
> strength.
>
> How do I mount an antenna 20-feet up the mast with out mounting a
> laptop 20 feet up?
>
> I'd like something that works just like a laptop running NetStumbler
> but mounted high up.
> Thanks, Dan
>

On 16 May 2005 08:01:01 -0700, "Dan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I have a small sail boat and want to set up a WarSailing set up on the
>mast. I understand that the longer the cable the more loss in signal
>strength.
>
>How do I mount an antenna 20-feet up the mast with out mounting a
>laptop 20 feet up?
>
>I'd like something that works just like a laptop running NetStumbler
>but mounted high up.
>Thanks, Dan

The temptation is to suggest a high gain omni directional antenna.
That won't work. The higher gain omnis have a very narrow vertical
radiation angle. If your sailboat mast is anything but exactly
vertical, the pattern will be either into the sky or into the water.
Methinks you'll do best with a USB or ethernet radio with a fairly low
gain (1/4 wave or built in) antenna. The USB radio can officially
handle 16ft of overpriced USB cable, but I've gone farther.

Plan B is to use a manually aimed or gimbal mounted directional
antenna on the deck. 2.4Ghz won't go far enough to make the curvature
of the earth a problem, so your range on the deck will be the same as
your range at the top of the mast. Keeping the antenna level will be
the main problem. Any of the dish or panel antennas will work.


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

"Will-Lee-Cue" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:2a3ie.88994$(E-Mail Removed)...

> For under $100 you can buy a wireless Ethernet bridge (Belkin makes the
> one I use).
> Waterproof it by whatever method you choose (plastic bag - plastic case)
> and mount it on top the mast with the power and Ethernet cables running
> down to your computer.

How do you use Netstumbler with a wireless ethernet bridge?

Linden

On 16 May 2005 08:01:01 -0700, "Dan" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>I have a small sail boat and want to set up a WarSailing set up on the
>mast. I understand that the longer the cable the more loss in signal
>strength.
>
>How do I mount an antenna 20-feet up the mast with out mounting a
>laptop 20 feet up?
>
>I'd like something that works just like a laptop running NetStumbler
>but mounted high up.
>Thanks, Dan
>

I made the below setup for use in my truck. I just put the
adapter on the roof for general driving around. You could get one
of the slim USB adapters and hang it up high from the rigging
when needed. You might be able to add a 10' USB extension cable
and still get it to work. If you were stationary, you could add a
simple reflector that you could reach up and rotate around the
USB adapter (or just hang the whole rig from a swivel and rotate
the wire to aim it).

http://www.geocities.com/zoomkat/antenna.htm