Starting Out

Well starting out 2003 with Open Source Mesh Network was an experience. I built some home grown mesh boxes. There are Compaq computers with Locustworld software, prism II 802.11b radio cards with some Tomato Sauce can antennas.

Article can be view on my website at http://www.moskaluk.com/starting_out.htm

Shown is my Gateway server a Mid Tower Compaq Presario and repeater node, a Compaq slim line computer. They continue to operate today however the radio cards are now 200 mW and they use commercial 8 dbi antenna.

First antenna a Primo Tomato and Basil Sauce with "Duct" horn extension.

I remember the cost of a website that indicated it will only take less than 5 US dollars worth of parts to make a great antenna. Funny it cost me over $45 dollars. I guess you have buy the parts in volume?

The final product spray painted White and place a logo of a Toucan pun for two cans. Get it?

In the early days I thought directional antenna was the way to go but later I found that the omni direction is ideal for Wireless Mesh in the 802.11B standard.

To build a omni directional antenna required a little more effort and the cost started to go up. Luckily I found a local manufacturer www.superpass.com . It seems that he provided most of the retailers on the net. What I found is I pay less for an antenna than my Toucan.

Looking back I just have to laugh what I did to save a buck. Today I take "off-the-shelve" parts and assemble the units together. It doesn't take a lot of rocket science to figure this out but it sure helps when you have the right parts!