Re: Firefox Tool Bar gone...

Wireless Internet Service Providers.  They use technology similar to
802.11WiFi, but made for long range, multiple customer use and some of
which is in
different frequency bands from 802.11.  WISPs usually run in either the
900MHz, 2.4GHz, or 5.8GHz bands (at least in the USA) but 900MHz has the
best foilage penetration.  The access points for WISPs are usually

mounted

on water towers or co-located on cell towers or radio towers, tops of

tall

buildings, etc.  Being rural in flat country, I bolted an antenna mast to

a

tree trunk to get my access point up where I could without either the
expense or visual distraction of my own tower.  It sticks a few feet out

the

top of the tree, but from most of my yard you'd never know it was there.

This is going back to my ham radio days but the higher the frequency, the
shorter the wave length, which basically means a more directional, line of
sight transmission.  900MHz is a lower frequency than the GHz ones but it's
still up there, relatively speaking.  As the frequency gets lower you
effectively get a little further out.  For VHF, UHF, and up the horizon is
typically the limiting factor unless there are repeaters involved to extend
the range.  You can also improve your transmit and receive performance by
using an antenna that better matches the wavelength, placing it higher up,
providing a ground plane, using a uni-directional antenna vs. an
omni-directional.

The problem with bolting it to a tree trunk is that the tree will continue
to grow.  It sounds like you've got it above the top of the tree so
branches shouldn't block your signal.  You will either need to have excess
cable to handle the increasing distance (which will reduce your incoming
and outgoing signals) or it will get stretched tighter.

Personally, I've got cable Internet and try to limit the range of my
wireless since I live on a 1/2 acre lot with neighbors all around me.  I
use the commercial stubby antenna and put the access point in the basement.
Coverage is good inside my house but drops off tremendously by the time you
get near the street.  Why make it any easier on potential hackers than it
needs to be?


Dave Parnin
--
Nishikawa Standard Company
Topeka, IN  46571
daparnin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx