January 2004
Intermediate to advanced
348 pages
13h 33m
English
Content preview from Hardware Hacking Projects for Geeks
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46
Part I: Basic Hacks, Tools, and Techniques
802.11b/g and 802.11a
Radio Frequencies
The 802.11b and 802.11g wireless net-
work cards operate at a frequency of
approximately 2.4 GHz. This antenna
was designed with that frequency in
mind. 802.11a operates at 5.8 GHz; if
you shrink the can assembly parts by
50%, it should work at that frequency.
Project Overview
This project uses the Lucent Orinoco 802.11b card, but any brand of
802.11b network card will do. Whichever design you choose to build, you’ll
need a “pigtail” connector that has the proprietary Lucent connector (for
the PCMCIA card) on one end and an N connector on the other. The pigtail
can be obtained from a number of online stores for $35 to $40.
You’ll also need to know the basics of soldering for this project. The con-
struction of either range-extending antenna for your wireless LAN card can
be completed in a few simple steps.
WARNING
Before attempting either of these hacks, you need to be aware of the FCC
regulations on maximum allowed power output from an antenna at the
frequencies that the 802.11b cards operate. Read FCC part 15.247 at http://www.
access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_00/47cfr15_00.html.
Hardware Assembly Instructions for
Recycled Can 802.11b Antenna
This hack is quick and can be very useful. I put together a can-based
antenna in about two hours. I then took it to a local café that offers ...
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O’Reilly covers everything we've got, with content to help us build a world-class technology community, upgrade the capabilities and competencies of our teams, and improve overall team performance as well as their engagement.Julian F.
I wanted to learn C and C++, but it didn't click for me until I picked up an O'Reilly book. When I went on the O’Reilly platform, I was astonished to find all the books there, plus live events and sandboxes so you could play around with the technology.Addison B.
I’ve been on the O’Reilly platform for more than eight years. I use a couple of learning platforms, but I'm on O'Reilly more than anybody else. When you're there, you start learning. I'm never disappointed.Amir M.
I'm always learning. So when I got on to O'Reilly, I was like a kid in a candy store. There are playlists. There are answers. There's on-demand training. It's worth its weight in gold, in terms of what it allows me to do.