2 Computers...1 Antenna?

Champ · 2005-01-07T01:38:56+00:00

I have access to wi-fi in my marina. On the boat I have 2 notebookcomputers an a single external antenna connected to one PCMCIA wi-ficard. Is it possible to both computers share a single antenna if Iwere to buy another PC card and some kind of a Y adapter to split theantenna?

Jan 07, 2005 22 Replies

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But Jeff, you don't understand. It's a USB router, access point, bridge and client too! And it's extreme range. And he describes it as an antenna. In all fairness to Ed, I get the feeling he's an honest guy, just had a pretty good idea about a product in a field he knows nothing about and dove in head first.

I kicked around some ideas in my head about marketing some devices on eBay based mostly on the qustions I see over and over in this group about problems getting more than 10-15 feet range. But I let the ideas die on the vine, didn't feel like persuing them. Ed is gung ho. Too bad he's teeter-tottering on the line between spamming the group and merely participating. And regardless of the circumstances, he always recommends ad hoc mode, not sure about that advice.

I also try to give everyone the benifit of my doubt. What's disgusting to me is that methinks the basic product is probably fairly decent and could be sold on its own merits. Given a bit of testing and some accurate data, methinks it might compete well with the EtherAnt and USB-Ant type of intergrated radio antennas. However, as long as it's being marketed in the present manner, and apparently without any FCC type certification or Wi-Fi Forum certification, I don't wanna have anything to do with it.

Yep. I'm a firm believer in integrated radio and antenna combinations. It solves lots of problems, especially when dealing with rooftop connectivity. I have a phased array design that methinks is probably overpriced, but offers interference avoidance and reflection optimization. Lots of great ideas out there. However, the ability to turn it into a marketable product, sperating the customers from their money, and supporting the prouduct, is beyond my limited resources and abilities.

I don't have much problem with him offering his antenna as a solution to peoples problems. I do have a problem when he doesn't bother to explain why his antenna offers a solution or what is involved in implimenting his solution. It's back to my distain for "one-line" answers. They're mostly useless and worthless.

I hadn't noticed much of that. However, I agree. Ad-hoc is not the answer to all problems. In this case, the original question about combining antennas isn't answered by either his product or by switching to ad-hoc. Incidentally, bridge and mesh modes are essentially variations of ad-hoc so please don't assume that ad-hoc is worthless.