[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
My question: for optimal reception, is it better to have a highpowered card with a basic antenna (senao) or a lower powered card with an excellent antenna (orinoco)?
i assume you want to use kismet or variant to passively scan and map the local network ecosystem.
most cards are rated for *transmission* power (because that's what's regulated by FCC/ETSI). the antenna will be your best ally rather than transmission strength. each anetenna sculpts it's own reception volume of space. for your usage, consider an omni-directional that creates a "donut" shaped reception zone, maybe specced at about 8-10dBi..
if you've got a team of participants, it will definitely be easier to calibrate and share results to map if everyone uses identical set-ups (same cards, length of pigtails, antennae - even car mount point for antenna). and cruising speed will affect results as well.
also, scanning software does eactly that - jumps and scans all channels. when you're listening to one channel, you can't listen to all the rest. programs such as kismet allow for multiple wlan devices to cut down on missed activity. mind you, that's gonna hit your budget.
if you do manage a setup with a laptop, usb hubs & 14 wlans, pigtails and antennae mounted in one car, i want the photos!!! :-)
hope this helps! shine brightly, .vortex -- NYCwireless - http://www.nycwireless.net/ Un/Subscribe: http://lists.nycwireless.net/mailman/listinfo/nycwireless/ Archives: http://lists.nycwireless.net/pipermail/nycwireless/
