So im looking to buy some fairly decent wireless kit, living in a densely packed urban area with lots of lovely wifi networks out there :)
So far on the list we have.....
Senao 2511CD PCMCIA card (http://www.datamind.co.uk/Templates/frmTemplateP.asp?CatalogID=415&Zoom=Yes&SubFolderId=83)
2.4 GHZ directional antenna (http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/hg2415y.php) (need to find a UK supplier)
...and some form of small omni directional antenna I can use when I dont want to lug the big can around.
Already ive seen the PCMCIA card is illegal to use in the UK because it can operate at 200mW. Im not too concerned about this since the UK firmware restricts it to 100mW (and being a respectable, law abiding citizen I shall reflash it immediately....)
However im interested in what part of law actually states why its illegal? I know its something to do with transmission power but I cant find what exactly. Im not sure on the directional antenna as well so it would be good to find something.
Who would actually trace you anyway?
Its not something I would think you would be picked up on in your normal daily life. However im still interested in knowing exactly what makes it illegal just in case ;)
Quote from: PhoenixFlameHowever im interested in what part of law actually states why its illegal? I know its something to do with transmission power but I cant find what exactly. Im not sure on the directional antenna as well so it would be good to find something.
The reason is interaction with other systems, even though you may have nice reception it will be a bummer for *everyone* else near you. It can also affect other equipment.
Do you know what the actual limit on transmission power is? Where im situated is getting particularly weak reception so im trying to boost reception and transmission hence the beefer card and aerial.
EDIT - Found it. Legal limit in the EU is 100mW for transmission power / 20dBM. The card itself exceeds that, I imagine adding the directional antenna will seriously exceed it.
I wonder how much of an effect it would have on the WLANs and other devices in the area at that power
Even with the signal boost you might still have problems, its probably going to be easier to either put a cable in, or, if thats not possible, a signal repeater between the two. A directional antenna just makes sure as much signal as possible goes in one direction.
Quote from: SeriousEven with the signal boost you might still have problems, its probably going to be easier to either put a cable in, or, if thats not possible, a signal repeater between the two. A directional antenna just makes sure as much signal as possible goes in one direction.
Lets hypothetically assume these networks in question dont belong to me :)
The directional antenna is going to be used to pinpoint signals along my street as well as get greater signal from specific buildings. The omni directional is for when I go walkabouts with the laptop in my bag
Ill just say that from 2 yrs+ of wardriving, yagi antennas are pretty much a ball of dung. Theyre good for distributing a signal point to point (To another yagi)
Parabolics give the best gain in that kind of situation but are unwieldy - I always found the good old vertical omni to be the best for that purpose.
So a decent omni over a yagi then. Any recommendations ?
Quote from: MarkIll just say that from 2 yrs+ of wardriving, yagi antennas are pretty much a ball of dung. Theyre good for distributing a signal point to point (To another yagi)
Parabolics give the best gain in that kind of situation but are unwieldy - I always found the good old vertical omni to be the best for that purpose.
Ever tried using Kistmet and a GPS Device, to plot onto maps? Its a current project me and a friend are doing at the moment and its working out pritty well :)
Phoneixflame - hyperlinktech (I think thats the name) used to carry a good range of gear.
Quote from: Poison_UKQuote from: MarkIll just say that from 2 yrs+ of wardriving, yagi antennas are pretty much a ball of dung. Theyre good for distributing a signal point to point (To another yagi)
Parabolics give the best gain in that kind of situation but are unwieldy - I always found the good old vertical omni to be the best for that purpose.
Ever tried using Kistmet and a GPS Device, to plot onto maps? Its a current project me and a friend are doing at the moment and its working out pritty well :)
The vehicle we use is an electric peugeot boxer van, and my mate has it kitted out with windows boxes (I KNOW) so were on netstumbler for discovery and a few others for crackage, with GPS antenna on the roof. We have good maps for Newry and Dundalk, and good work has been done up in the north west and around Belfast
We trialled warlinux for a bit, but he didnt like it, and its his van so that had to go!
NetStumbler is utter pap!
It will not find everything I can ensure you that! Im guessing your going to use Prism Chipset cards for cracking networks? Usually one hours worth of work for picking up packets for WEP is usually fine. When I say maps I mean online maps? I will show you some Proof of Concept stuff when we are done with it. (This should be pritty soon btw) We just use my car and an antena btw.
Poison, you can crack wep a lot faster than an hour providing you can run a few linux scripts... might be possible within cygwin within windows.
As for transmitter strength.
The 100mw limit of your card is bollocks. sure at the source its 100mw, but signal loss through the cables can be massive. Likely youll be down to 50mw after just 3 foot of cabling to be honest (there are datasheets you can find, to give you the lossage per mtr, or foot I believe normally found in RS catalogues, or at least thats where I found mine when doing my RSGB licence).
Naturally the antenna will likely increase the overall sensitivity of it, but you will still be operating under that 100mw limit, antennas (providing they dont have some wierd power-amp in the casing) wont add "power" to the system, theyll just make more efficient use of it.
If you like finding out what building a signal is coming from, then a decent parabolic, or YAGI is a necessity, but it is completely sh*te for wardriving as 99% of the time its pointing in the wrong bloody direction :D
If you want to go crazy then perhaps a signal strength app... I dont rate netstumbler but dont know if there are any others out there would provide fun too... providing you calibrate it in some way (do tests with common wireless equipment at different ranges, that way... strength equates to distance [in a rough estimate way]), and you could even tell just how far away the signal is, and pinpoint the exact house :)
lol
lol could use it for social engineering I guess if you can identify the business office its coming from :D
Theres an article on Wireless networking in issue 251 (January 07) of PC Plus magazine. It confirms that the maximum radiated power allowed at present is 100mW or +20dBm. This is being reviewed at the moment by OFCOM with a view to increasing the maximum power to 10W. See OFCOM (http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/powerlimits/)
Radiated power (dBm) = Transmitter power (dBm) - cable loss (dB) + antenna gain (dBi)
The article also covers changes you can make in the hardware properties to improve the performance of your wireless adapter and information on antenna DIY upgrades. Some of the URLs are listed below.
http://www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz/
http://ronobvious.livejournal.com/296.html
http://www.xp11.com/g54/g54.htm
http://www.tritium.co.uk/
http://www.wirelesspro.co.uk/default.php
This looks interesting as well.
http://www.wndw.net/pdf/wndw-ebook.pdf
Quote from: Danny UKTheres an article on Wireless networking in issue 251 (January 07) of PC Plus magazine. It confirms that the maximum radiated power allowed at present is 100mW or +20dBm. This is being reviewed at the moment by OFCOM with a view to increasing the maximum power to 10W. See OFCOM
Radiated power (dBm) = Transmitter power (dBm) - cable loss (dB) + antenna gain (dBi)
The article also covers changes you can make in the hardware properties to improve the performance of your wireless adapter and information on antenna DIY upgrades. Some of the URLs are listed below.
http://www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz/
http://ronobvious.livejournal.com/296.html
http://www.xp11.com/g54/g54.htm
http://www.tritium.co.uk/
http://www.wirelesspro.co.uk/default.php
Blokey makes sense :) Follow his advice :D
where can u get those cards online in the uk pheonix?
ignore me i saw the hyper link!