[GMCnet] Alfa WiFi device
Ken Burton
While cruising ebay looking for a WiFi antenna and coax for another GMCer I spotted this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260371392064&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Item number 260371392064
and also this with a high gain Yagi antenna:
Item number 110462847243
This appears to be the same Alfa WiFi device that That Dan Gregg and Ken H. first found and a lot of us have been using. We paid around $50.00 for them. This does have a different brand name.
If anyone buys one of these for use in your GMC please let us know what you think of it.
I'm not going to buy one as I have too many WiFi adapters already. But if it is the same as the Alfa then this is a good price for a long range adapter.
Note: The first item above is out of Salt Lake City and the second one is out of Hong Kong.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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Rob Mueller
Keep in mind that I am electronically challenged!
Will these puppies work with this:
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/Cell-Phone-Detail.aspx?cell-phone=T-Mobi
le-webConnect-Jet-Laptop-Stick
If yes is the aluminum external antennae worth paying extra for?
Regards,
Rob Mueller
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Ken Burton
The thing you showed says it is WiFi capable. So you should have WiFi already. I do not know if you can use this in place of the internal WiFi for more range.
Fist thing you will need is a USB port on it to plug this device into. Then finding drivers for it would probably be a real problem.
You need someone better than me that knows these devices to tell you if it could be attached to it.
Sorry, I really do not have any idea.
Ken
Thomas Phipps
MFJ makes a WiFi Yagi that will connect to any WiFi card that has an external antenna connection. They also have the necessary coax cable to connect to the WiFi device.
Most internal WiFi systems do not have very good antennas or high power. This comment is for general information. Ken well knows this stuff.
Nice that this is a USB based device. This means that you can put the device at some distance from your computer, and connect by USB cable to the computer. This would really help in those situations where the place you can receive the WiFi signal and where you really want to sit to work on the computer.
Like Ken, I have too many WiFi choices, and will not be chasing this one. However, I would be interested in your results, if any one purchases one.
Tom Phipps,
75 GMC
rallymaster
The Alfa has a driver disk for Mac & Windows
It will work with most anything that has USB 1.1 or 2.0.
For USB 1.1, you have to use the included cable that has 2 ends to plug
into the computer, because of the power limitations of USB 1.1.
My thinkpad and Toshiba laptops don't require the internal WI-FI to be
disabled to use the ALFA.
I got the hi gain omni-directional antenna to use with it, and tossed my
WiFire directional USB adaptor because the Alfa is more convenient and
works at a greater distance.
ron Clark
On Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:16:56 -0600 Ken Burton <n9...@comcast.net> writes:
>
>
> The thing you showed says it is WiFi capable. So you should have
> WiFi already. I do not know if you can use this in place of the
> internal WiFi for more range.
>
> Fist thing you will need is a USB port on it to plug this device
> into. Then finding drivers for it would probably be a real problem.
>
>
> You need someone better than me that knows these devices to tell you
> if it could be attached to it.
>
> Sorry, I really do not have any idea.
>
> Ken
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
Ron & Linda Clark
1978 Eleganza II
North Plains, ORYGUN
Gary Berry
This thing looks to be something similar to the AirCard that DanG
uses. Looks like you need to be part of the T-Mobile webConnect
network and have an account somewhere. What KenB is showing is a USB
wifi card that will connect to the internet through a wifi service or
wifi router (like a coffeshop for instance). The antenna gives you
extra range.
On Thu, Nov 26, 2009 at 11:06 PM, Rob Mueller <robmu...@iinet.net.au> wrote:
> Ken,
>
> Keep in mind that I am electronically challenged!
>
> Will these puppies work with this:
>
> http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/Cell-Phone-Detail.aspx?cell-phone=T-Mobi
> le-webConnect-Jet-Laptop-Stick
>
> If yes is the aluminum external antennae worth paying extra for?
>
> Regards,
> Rob Mueller
--
Gary and Diana Berry
73 CL Stretch in Wa.
Rob Allen
Robert Mueller wrote on Thu, 26 November 2009 23:06
> Ken,
>
> Keep in mind that I am electronically challenged!
>
> Will these puppies work with this:
>
> http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/Cell-Phone-Detail.aspx?cell-phone=T-Mobi
> le-webConnect-Jet-Laptop-Stick
>
> If yes is the aluminum external antennae worth paying extra for?
>
> Regards,
> Rob Mueller
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Rob: This URL points to a Cell Phone device, similar to the Verizon that both Dan and I use. It is not a Wifi adaptor.
The cost of the cell units involves a $60 a month charge, but you can get net connection virtually anywhere the cell system operates. If you have seen the Verizon "there's a map for that" ads here in the states, you will see that Verizon's 3G service is quite extensive, covering a very large portion of the states. AT&T has service also, but much more limited. And T mobile is even more limited. Right now Verizon has the best coverage as far as I can determine. I like mine, and this message goes out on it. The only disadvantage is the monthly cost of $60.
--
Rob Allen
'76 x-PB
Rob Mueller
From this (and other) responses I've figured out that this device won't work
with my T-Mobile card.
When we picked up Double Trouble from Ken Frey's shop in August of 2008 I
visited Verizon to see if I could get a wireless internet card. They said
sure; all I had to do is sign a contract for 2 years @ 60.00 per month. I
explained that we only visited the USA for two to three months a year and
would like a plan that would allow us access for that length of time. They
told me that was not possible.
I then went to see T-Mobile and they told me that as long as I paid for the
modem ($250) they would put me on a prepaid monthly charge of $60.00 that
could be switched on and off. Therefore I only have to pay the $60.00 charge
for a couple of months. The card uses GPRS/EDGE (whatever that is) to
connect. Unfortunately the coverage is no where near as good as Verizon and
the signal is weak quite often (hence my desire to find a way of boosting
it).
This past summer I checked with Verizon in a couple of different shops and
got different answers. One shop told me that I would have to sign a contract
for two years and couldn't turn it on and off. Another shop told me that as
long as I paid for the modem I could get it on a monthly rate. A third shop
confirmed that. I decided to wait until next summer to do anything as what
the various companies offer constantly get better / cheaper. The current
Verizon card is a 3G connection.
Regards,
Rob Mueller
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Ken Burton
rallymaster wrote on Fri, 27 November 2009 11:36
> The Alfa has a driver disk for Mac & Windows
> It will work with most anything that has USB 1.1 or 2.0.
> For USB 1.1, you have to use the included cable that has 2 ends to plug
> into the computer, because of the power limitations of USB 1.1.
> My thinkpad and Toshiba laptops don't require the internal WI-FI to be
> disabled to use the ALFA.
> I got the hi gain omni-directional antenna to use with it, and tossed my
> WiFire directional USB adaptor because the Alfa is more convenient and
> works at a greater distance.
>
> ron Clark
>
>
> On Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:16:56 -0600 Ken Burton <n9...@comcast.net> writes:
> >
> >
> > The thing you showed says it is WiFi capable. So you should have
> > WiFi already. I do not know if you can use this in place of the
> > internal WiFi for more range.
> >
> > Fist thing you will need is a USB port on it to plug this device
> > into. Then finding drivers for it would probably be a real problem.
> >
> >
> > You need someone better than me that knows these devices to tell you
> > if it could be attached to it.
> >
> > Sorry, I really do not have any idea.
> >
> > Ken
> > --
> > Ken Burton - N9KB
> > 76 Palm Beach
> > Hebron, Indiana
>
>
> Ron & Linda Clark
> 1978 Eleganza II
> North Plains, ORYGUN
Ron, Windows does not REQUIRE that you disable the internal WiFi adapter but....
If both adapters happen to connect to the same or different access points at the same time, windows sometimes get very confused as to which one to use because the IP routing table has no provision to handle this situation. Other operating systems, including Unix/Linux and the Old IBM OS/2 can handle this but Microsoft never allowed for multiple concurrent adapters of the same type.
For this reason I suggest that you disable your internal WiFi adapter when using the Alfa or any other external WiFi adapter.
cbout...@comcast.net
Amen to Ken's comments. My wife's Mac can handle our booster with no problem and no confusion. My Windows XP system gets confused and I have to screw around with it to get the adapter working. When I go back to the internal WIFI it won't work until I unscrew the changes I made. We just use the Mac when we travel and need extended range. I suppose could always call a teen ager to help, but I'm too darned proud
chuck boutell
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Burton" <n9...@comcast.net>
To: gmc...@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Friday, November 27, 2009 11:28:14 PM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Alfa WiFi device
Rob Allen
Robert Mueller wrote on Fri, 27 November 2009 15:32
> Rob,
>
> From this (and other) responses I've figured out that this device won't work
> with my T-Mobile card.
>
> (snip)
>
> This past summer I checked with Verizon in a couple of different shops and
> got different answers. One shop told me that I would have to sign a contract
> for two years and couldn't turn it on and off. Another shop told me that as
> long as I paid for the modem I could get it on a monthly rate. A third shop
> confirmed that. I decided to wait until next summer to do anything as what
> the various companies offer constantly get better / cheaper. The current
> Verizon card is a 3G connection.
>
> Regards,
> Rob Mueller
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Rob: I have found that there are Verizon stores which are really independent operators and they will tell you anything to get your business. The Verizon store you want to visit is one that is a real Company Store, operated by Verizon itself. That is the only place to get the factual story. The last time I checked with a real Verizon store, the policy was 2 year contract, but you can turn it off for 3 months and then must turn it back on for at least one month, then 3 off etc. However, the total contract was for 24 months of paid service, the time off did not count to the 24 months. I found I use mine enough to leave it on all the time, but of course your situation is very different. And, the policies change all the time, as the competition changes. Who knows what you will find next summer.
rallymaster
I guess the reason I've never had a problem with windows getting confused
as to which WI-FI to use, is that I'm usually so far from the transmitter
that the laptop's radio doesn't even see it.
Ron
On Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:28:14 -0600 Ken Burton <n9...@comcast.net> writes:
>
>
> rallymaster wrote on Fri, 27 November 2009 11:36
> > The Alfa has a driver disk for Mac & Windows
> > It will work with most anything that has USB 1.1 or 2.0.
> > For USB 1.1, you have to use the included cable that has 2 ends to
> plug
> > into the computer, because of the power limitations of USB 1.1.
> > My thinkpad and Toshiba laptops don't require the internal WI-FI
> to be
> > disabled to use the ALFA. > Ron, Windows does not REQUIRE that you
disable the internal WiFi
> adapter but....
>
> If both adapters happen to connect to the same or different access
> points at the same time, windows sometimes get very confused as to
> which one to use because the IP routing table has no provision to
> handle this situation. Other operating systems, including
> Unix/Linux and the Old IBM OS/2 can handle this but Microsoft never
> allowed for multiple concurrent adapters of the same type.
>
> For this reason I suggest that you disable your internal WiFi
> adapter when using the Alfa or any other external WiFi adapter.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
Ron & Linda Clark
1978 Eleganza II
North Plains, ORYGUN
Ken Burton
rallymaster wrote on Sat, 28 November 2009 15:52
> I guess the reason I've never had a problem with windows getting confused
> as to which WI-FI to use, is that I'm usually so far from the transmitter
> that the laptop's radio doesn't even see it.
>
> Ron
You are correct. When both are enabled and connected is when you have the problem. The key word here is CONNECTED.
I always shut down (disable) the one I am not using to prevent intermittent problems.
I can not respond to Mac issues. I never use them and I have never had anyone around knowledgeable enough to show me how the IP stack works on a MAC. This is why I almost always refuse to help MAC people at rallies. I just do not know enough to really help them.
I did get a couple of Appletalk MACs talking once on one of my small hospital networks (5 locations). We had 1800 IBM PC's, 1 IBM mainframe, about 20 small servers and 2 MACs. I wonder if that protocol is still around?
"Do you want fries with that?"
Rob Mueller
Thanks for the comments.
I knew about the independent / company stores from experience with T-Mobile.
An independent store told me I had to sign a two year contract for their
card but the company store signed me up for the card I have and I have had
no problem switching it off last year, back on this year and then off again
this year.
The Verizon store in Chicago that told me that I could hook up to the
Verizon network the same way I hook up to T-Mobile was a company store. I
had to pay for the modem up front to do so. I did not ask if the contract
was calendar months or useage months. The Verizon policy noted below would
mean they could answer yes but at two to three months per year it would take
up to 12 years to fulfill the contract requirements! You've provided me with
more info so I can ask the right questions and that is important!
As an example of NOT asking the right questions I just signed a two year
contract with Telstra. I wanted to get a new phone and upgrade to the 3G
service. I got a new phone for free, it's a LG GR500f. Before I signed the
contract I asked "can I download my contact information from Microsoft
Outlook?" The answer was "yes." Unfortunately the way I asked the question
wasn't "correct." I should have asked "can I download all my contact
information from Microsoft Outlook including addresses?" The answer to that
question is; "NO!" This phone only downloads telephone numbers and email
addresses. So now I've got a new phone that doesn't do what I want and I
have to carry a PDA too.
Regards,
Rob Mueller
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist...@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist...@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Rob Allen
Sent: Sunday, 29 November 2009 4:38 AM
To: gmc...@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Alfa WiFi device
Richard
[quote title=Robert Mueller wrote on Sat, 28 November 2009 15:22]Rob,
Thanks for the comments.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Rob,
Some of the better cell dealers have in-store software
that can handle moving all your contacts from your
old phone to your new one.
Best Buy did mine, no charge.
--
Bukzin
1977 Palm Beach
Chico California
william mckinley
I have always Used Data Pilot software to move my info around. That is until I got my Iphone. I have a att usb dongle that I was using for remote access but have since been tethering my iphone to my netbook. The dongle just sit's in the drawer and has been deactivated.
--
Bill
1973 Glacier
26ft bowling alley with wheels
Rob Mueller
I called LG customer support and was told that the LG500f internal software
will not store street address, city, state, post code, country.
It will only store telephone numbers and email addresses.
Regards,
Rob Mueller
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist...@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist...@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Richard
Sent: Sunday, 29 November 2009 3:21 PM
To: gmc...@temp.gmcnet.org
Richard
I think the software that Best Buy used would work
with most any cell company.
It was made by a third party supplier.
Go into a good cell/mobile retailer (when they are not busy)
and sweet talk them it to doing it for you.
jon simon
MY two cents worth
All of you are failing to understand the technology..........
WiFi...... 2.4Ghz (same as a microwave), 802.12b/g/n specification, can normally access up to 100 meters without obstruction. most modern laptops have a builtin WiFi 'radio', limited range,antenna is a loop behind the screen. No known port for an external antenna on any laptop.
Desired effect for our coaches would be an external antenna, going to a wireless Router inside of the coach, Laptop radio wirelessly connects to wireless router with antenna on roof. Range is almost a mile, so antenna can pickup unprotected wifi wherever you are. And even hotspots at burger joints from almost a mile away.
Rob,Tmobile might mistake a hole in the ground for a rear facing hole on their own body, pretty much the same for most mobile phone companies.
A couple of years ago T-mobile brought out a THC Smart Phone, it was out only for a couple of months, until they dropped it.It did too many things..............FOR FREE. T-Mobile didn't make any money from it. The phone was known as 'the Wizard', model 8125 from memory. External antenna port,internal Wifi, it was a small computer. With WiFi you could go online and surf the web, do e-mails,etc
T-mobile was not aware of the external antenna port.
What is that for???
The future (near).....WiMax, 2.4 Ghz again, 892.16 standard, range 30 miles plus. can be used for mobile phones as well as data, does this sound familiar to what they are talking about for the 3G network, Sprint (4G network) is already doing it in select cities. I have been doing it for some 3 years now,local network to my area ( try <razzolink.com> you will get their website to show you coverage available. Some laptops,cell phones already have the WiMax radios inside of them.
At the start I mentioned 2.4Ghz, being the same as a microwave,this can cause interference to the signal,Razzolink has moved from 2.4Ghz to 2.56Ghz to cut out interference.
It can be done, if there is profit in it for the provider.
EDGE technology is an attempt to block out the competition.
Long winded enough for you?????
Jon