wish to connect to unsecured network

I am near a public library that has wireless internet. I can receive a
weak signal from my house and would like to strengthen it so it would
be usable. Is there an inexpensive and simple way to do this? Perhaps
I can buy or make an antennae? Thanks

>I am near a public library that has wireless internet. I can receive a
> weak signal from my house and would like to strengthen it so it would
> be usable. Is there an inexpensive and simple way to do this? Perhaps
> I can buy or make an antennae? Thanks

Is there an antenna hook up on your computer?

Currenty, I only have the internal antennae I saw an outdoor
antennae but not sure how much that would help. Any experience with
that?
>
> Is there an antenna hook up on your computer?

(E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> I am near a public library that has wireless internet. I can receive a
> weak signal from my house and would like to strengthen it so it would
> be usable. Is there an inexpensive and simple way to do this? Perhaps
> I can buy or make an antennae? Thanks

The way to do this is to connect a high power wireless Ethernet
converter to the Ethernet port of your computer. You may need to run the
Ethernet cable, and power, to an outside location, as high up as
possible, mounting the Ethernet converter in a weatherproof, but
ventilated, enclosure. Connect a directional antenna to the Ethernet
converter, with the shortest possible cable.

"Inexpensive" is relative. This setup would cost you at least $125.

SMS wrote:
> (E-Mail Removed) wrote:
>> I am near a public library that has wireless internet. I can
>> receive a weak signal from my house and would like to strengthen it
>> so it would be usable. Is there an inexpensive and simple way to do
>> this? Perhaps I can buy or make an antennae? Thanks
>
> The way to do this is to connect a high power wireless Ethernet
> converter to the Ethernet port of your computer. You may need to run
> the Ethernet cable, and power, to an outside location, as high up as
> possible, mounting the Ethernet converter in a weatherproof, but
> ventilated, enclosure. Connect a directional antenna to the Ethernet
> converter, with the shortest possible cable.
>
> "Inexpensive" is relative. This setup would cost you at least $125.

Why wouldn't he want to do it the cheaper easier way? There are several
companies that make directional USB devices, that are power off a USB cable
and can be located away from the computer.. I use em both at home and in the
RV (both on the roof)... For instance from Hawking:

Hi-Powered USB Wireless-G Adapter for your Desktop or Laptop PC

The HWU8DD is designed to connect your desktop computer or laptop easily to
any Wireless-B or Wireless-G network via a USB connection. Hawking's award
winning Hi-GainTM Antenna technology extends wireless connection distances
by up to 300%. The HWU8DD is equipped with a new 8dBi Directional Dish
antenna that provides more distance and better speeds than other wireless
adapters on the market.


http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/...=60&ProdID=280

About $90, and you can order it online at the above link from the hawking
online store...

Peter Pan wrote:

> Why wouldn't he want to do it the cheaper easier way? There are several
> companies that make directional USB devices, that are power off a USB cable
> and can be located away from the computer.

Three reasons:

1. With USB the cable length is limited to 5 meters. Fine for an RV or
boat, maybe not so fine for a house.

2. It's often better to be able to use an external antenna.

3. You can connect the Ethernet converter to a wireless router, you
can't do this with the USB device.

SMS wrote:
> Peter Pan wrote:
>
>> Why wouldn't he want to do it the cheaper easier way? There are
>> several companies that make directional USB devices, that are power
>> off a USB cable and can be located away from the computer.
>
> Three reasons:
>
> 1. With USB the cable length is limited to 5 meters. Fine for an RV or
> boat, maybe not so fine for a house.
>
> 2. It's often better to be able to use an external antenna.
>
> 3. You can connect the Ethernet converter to a wireless router, you
> can't do this with the USB device.

Now I'm really confused.. I use USB extension cables, and have about 30 FT
worth of distance (no powered hubs, need them to go longer)...(use em with a
laptop, when in a certain room at home, in the garage ((metal snow roofs on
both)), or in the RV, and can't use the internal wireless, just plug it in)

The external usb devices that I have seen all have external antenna jacks if
you don't like the ones it comes with....

I have mine connected to a router (USB to Ethernet converters, have one for
my DVR too)... (Home has WiFi, garage was too far away and had a metal roof,
so I have one them aimed at the house so I can be on the network)

Used to think things HAD to be ethernet, till I started using the USB to
Ethernet converters, and plugging stuff into my WAP/Router

Peter Pan wrote:

> Now I'm really confused.. I use USB extension cables, and have about 30 FT
> worth of distance (no powered hubs, need them to go longer)...(use em with a
> laptop, when in a certain room at home, in the garage ((metal snow roofs on
> both)), or in the RV, and can't use the internal wireless, just plug it in)

I'm a big believer in not kludging things. Adding USB extension cables
(essentially a one-port unpowered, USB 1.1 hub), and then adding a USB
to Ethernet converter so you can connect it to the router rather than
directly to the USB port of the notebook, is too much of a kludge for my
tastes. YMMV.

On Thu, 13 Jul 2006 10:07:15 -0700, in alt.internet.wireless , SMS
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Peter Pan wrote:
>
>> Why wouldn't he want to do it the cheaper easier way? There are several
>> companies that make directional USB devices, that are power off a USB cable
>> and can be located away from the computer.
>
>Three reasons:
>
>1. With USB the cable length is limited to 5 meters.

Thirty, with powered repeaters. For instance

http://www.usbgear.com/USB_Repeater_Cable/
--
Mark McIntyre

SMS wrote:
> Peter Pan wrote:
>
>> Now I'm really confused.. I use USB extension cables, and have about
>> 30 FT worth of distance (no powered hubs, need them to go
>> longer)...(use em with a laptop, when in a certain room at home, in
>> the garage ((metal snow roofs on both)), or in the RV, and can't use
>> the internal wireless, just plug it in)
>
> I'm a big believer in not kludging things. Adding USB extension cables
> (essentially a one-port unpowered, USB 1.1 hub), and then adding a USB
> to Ethernet converter so you can connect it to the router rather than
> directly to the USB port of the notebook, is too much of a kludge for
> my tastes. YMMV.

Again, what's your point? You can connect it direct to the USB port of the
computer(s), but you said you couldn't connect it to the ethernet port of
your WAP/Router? You only need the converter IF you happen to have a WiFi
network/router that takes ethernet...

Oh well, the OP just wanted to use it to connect to a hotspot a bit too far
away, you had said he had to go ethernet.. I was trying to provide a cheaper
USB alternative....