Berkeley's YellowJacket -- Pocket PC-Based Wi-Fi Site Survey Tool

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.bvsystems.com/Products/WLAN/YJ802.11bg/YJ802.11bg.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.bvsystems.com/Products/W.../YJ802.11bg.htm</a><br /><br /></div>"Yellowjacket™ is a calibrated wireless receiver module that interfaces with HP’s iPAQ® PocketPC® in sweeping, analyzing and optimizing 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Networks. The receiver measures all 14 OFDM/DSSS network channels which operate on the IEEE 802.11b/g standard allowing the user to determine the AP’s MAC, SSID and RSSI signal levels for all access points on or off any 802.11b/g WISP or Hotspot. The Yellowjacket™ system uses a custom receiver, custom software and interfaces with an iPAQ 5000 series giving Yellowjacket™ the distinction of being the only true RF spectrum protocol analysis and direction finding tool accurate to within 1 dB...Yellowjacket™ is a passive, network independent device with the ability to see the 'whole picture' as well as pinpointing channel interference and hackers that plague so many 802.11b/g WISPs and Hotspots."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20040520-YellowJacket.jpg" /><br /><br />Here's one reason HP's iPAQ sleeve concept is useful. ;) It's not for most of us, but this looks like an awesome enterprise application that those of you setting up large 802.11 networks may want to check out. They also have other models that handle 802.11a.

[jkendrick]

Just when HP is doing away with the sleeves. :)

[ctmagnus]

Kinda difficult to tell from the picture and I got nothing from the article, but is that an SDIO interface or is the cable plugged into another part of the sleeve rather than the iPaq itself?

[CCollins]

This is actually a CF Card sleeve.

I am a wireless network analyst and have one.

The hardware is very slick, and the software interface is pretty cool too. The "geiger counter" option is a lot of fun!

Let me know if you have any questions about it.

[Jonathan1]

Kinda difficult to tell from the picture and I got nothing from the article, but is that an SDIO interface or is the cable plugged into another part of the sleeve rather than the iPaq itself?

I'm thinking SDIO. Look at the iPaq. I don't even think the sleeve is attached to the iPod's sleeve interface on the bottom. Looks like the only thng they did was slap a sleeve on the thing to hold the iPaq and then just threw an adapter cable on the thing.

[thunderck]

I got a quote and the Yellowjacket will run you $3,200, $500 for iPAQ, $250 for directional antenna, $2,500 for floor-plan software. (mapping AP signal)

TAKE YOUR PICK!!! :lol:

Maybe Santa will bring me one :mrgreen:

[Will T Smith]

This is actually a CF Card sleeve.

I am a wireless network analyst and have one.

The hardware is very slick, and the software interface is pretty cool too. The "geiger counter" option is a lot of fun!

Let me know if you have any questions about it.

Thank You. This again validates that the "sleeve" concept doesn't do anything that can't be accomplished with a standard CF card and a piece of velcro. Save of course, the ability to only use it on one type of PocketPC.

[Janak Parekh]

Thank You. This again validates that the "sleeve" concept doesn't do anything that can't be accomplished with a standard CF card and a piece of velcro. Save of course, the ability to only use it on one type of PocketPC.
Sure it does -- even if the sleeve interface is not being used, the very standardized formfactor allows you to upgrade devices while still being able to attach it. Sleeve attachments are a lot cleaner than a "backpack attached via velcro", and it's a lot more standardized.

--janak

[x999x]

The hand holding all that belongs to an 8ft tall pigmy.

[Kaber]

LONG LIVE THE SLEEVES! :devilboy: :twisted:

[keenanj]

Airmagnet software works on any pocket pc with CF or PCMCIA slot using standard Engenius long range cards.

It has a lot more features compared to yellowjacket.

more information is here.


http://www.keenansystems.com/store/airmagnet_wireless_network_security_monitoring_products.htm

[Pony99CA]

The hand holding all that belongs to an 8ft tall pigmy.
I lost my gibberish decoder ring. Could you decode this, please?

Steve

[Pony99CA]

LONG LIVE THE SLEEVES! :devilboy: :twisted:
Hear, hear! I wonder if the iPAQ Smart Slot on the iPAQ 4700 will support sleeves or backpacks.

Steve

[Pony99CA]

Airmagnet software works on any pocket pc with CF or PCMCIA slot using standard Engenius long range cards.

It has a lot more features compared to yellowjacket.

I've never heard of AirMagnet, but here's a link to the Pocket PC version (http://www.airmagnet.com/products/handheld.htm).

more information is here.

http://www.keenansystems.com/store/airmagnet_wireless_network_security_monitoring_products.htm
Nothing is there except for this:

Forbidden

You don't have permission to access /store/airmagnet_wireless_network_security_monitoring_products.htm on this server.
In fact, you get the same message trying to access the Web site in your profile.

Steve

[Jonathon Watkins]

I first thought that that picture was a late April Fool's joke. 8O :lol:

That's some piece of kit!

[Pony99CA]

I first thought that that picture was a late April Fool's joke. 8O :lol:
It would have been very late. The YellowJacket has been out for a long time. I seem to recall seeing a version of it a year or two ago.

That's some piece of kit!
If you think that's big, check out the YellowJacket Plus (http://www.bvsystems.com/Products/WLAN/Yellowjacket+/yellowjacket+.htm). :-D

http://www.bvsystems.com/Products/WLAN/Yellowjacket%2B/Yellowjacketplus(low-res).jpg

Steve

[Janak Parekh]

It would have been very late. The YellowJacket has been out for a long time. I seem to recall seeing a version of it a year or two ago.
Interestingly, we never posted on it, AFAICT, so I posted. The recent news seems to circle around the fact that a/bg versions were released.

--janak

[Pony99CA]

It would have been very late. The YellowJacket has been out for a long time. I seem to recall seeing a version of it a year or two ago.
Interestingly, we never posted on it, AFAICT, so I posted. The recent news seems to circle around the fact that a/bg versions were released.
Actually, I'm glad you posted this -- I thought I had linked to it on my Web site, but I couldn't find it. Thanks to this thread, it's there now (http://links.svpocketpc.com#LINKS_HARDWARE). :-)

I just wanted to mention that the (or a) YellowJacket had been out for a while. I thought it was an interesting product when I first saw it, too.

UPDATE: I did a search to see where I might have seen it. Perhaps it was at Pocket PC City (http://www.pocketpccity.com/articles/2002/8/2002-8-15-Berkeley-Varitronics-Releases.html) in August 2002. However, I thought the one I remembered looked more like the one that you posted about. :?

Steve