A Little Bluetooth Goes a Long Way. A Very Long Way

[Jonathon Watkins]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.popsci.com/popsci/how2/article/0,20967,714017,00.html' target='_blank'>http://www.popsci.com/popsci/how2/a...,714017,00.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Bluetooth is best known for short-range, low-bandwidth wireless jobs: connecting a cellphone with a headset or syncing a PDA with a nearby computer. But just as a flashlight’s reflector focuses a small bulb’s light to make it appear brighter, the right antenna can boost a weak wireless signal. So I detached the stock antenna from a Linksys USBBT100 Class 1 USB Bluetooth adapter ($70; linksys.com) and replaced it with a larger HyperGain RE05U 2.4GHz antenna ($15; hyperlinktech.com). With that simple mod, I can make a Bluetooth connection up to a mile away."</i><br /><br />And so can you. We've <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=30786&amp;">previously posted</a> about a more experimental Bluetooth Range Extension, but Popular Science Magazine give full details of their 13 step procedure. They give it a difficulty rating of 3 out of 5, which should be no problem for you guys right? ;-) Warranties? We don't need no stinking warrantees. ;-) Anyone fancy trying this?

[GoldKey]

Isn't it going to be hard to see the screen to be using the keyboard that far away. :wink:

[Paragon]

I hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but how usable is this? The access point range is increased to about a mile, but the Pocket PC still only transmits info back....30 feet! In affect it is only one way communication, right?

Dave

[marcm]

I wonder how long it's going to take before someone attaches a bluetooth adapter to a radio tower for a bluetooth signal all over their city... :wink:

[surur]

I hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but how usable is this? The access point range is increased to about a mile, but the Pocket PC still only transmits info back....30 feet! In affect it is only one way communication, right?

Dave

This again puts paid to the whole 30 feet/100 feet range thing of bluetooth class I and III. Clearly if you have enough gain you can transmit at any strenght, and still be picked up. All you need is a better antenna. Just look at the little Rover on Mars and Radio telescopes here on Earth.

Surur

[DaleReeck]

Another example of just because you can doesn't mean you should :)

[that_kid]

I hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but how usable is this? The access point range is increased to about a mile, but the Pocket PC still only transmits info back....30 feet! In affect it is only one way communication, right?

Dave

Not really because the gain imposed by the antenna affects both the transmit and recieve. Think of it as using a un-amplified bullhorn, larg on one end small on the other, when you speak into the small end your voice is amplified out the larger end, if you put your ear to the small end all the sound coming into the larger end is concetrated to your ear.

[Paragon]

Thanks, Eric,

I always wondered about that. Great analogy btw.

Dave

[Jonathon Watkins]

Another example of just because you can doesn't mean you should :)

Bingo. :wink: This is definitely W?BIC! at it's best.

[NLS]

old news

with WIFI that more established for long(er) range INCLUDING such modifications (in Greece we even have a semi-official WIFI network IN WHOLE Athens) I don't see why would I bother

[thanos255]

I hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but how usable is this? The access point range is increased to about a mile, but the Pocket PC still only transmits info back....30 feet! In affect it is only one way communication, right?

Dave

This again puts paid to the whole 30 feet/100 feet range thing of bluetooth class I and III. Clearly if you have enough gain you can transmit at any strenght, and still be picked up. All you need is a better antenna. Just look at the little Rover on Mars and Radio telescopes here on Earth.

Surur


I never thought of that before....pretty kewl :)

[Paragon]

old news

with WIFI that more established for long(er) range INCLUDING such modifications (in Greece we even have a semi-official WIFI network IN WHOLE Athens) I don't see why would I bother

...because I don't live in Greece?! :lol:

[NLS]

:lol:

still it's simpler to make a (big) wireless network and will also give you the benefit of real networking (inc. the security, common settings, compatibility) you expect from a real networking solution

[surur]

:lol:

still it's simpler to make a (big) wireless network and will also give you the benefit of real networking (inc. the security, common settings, compatibility) you expect from a real networking solution

Im sure this is just a proof of concept. Wifi is for networks. Im sure most people would just be happy to have a crackle free connection between their headsets and their mobile phone !

Surur

[Paragon]

:lol:

still it's simpler to make a (big) wireless network and will also give you the benefit of real networking (inc. the security, common settings, compatibility) you expect from a real networking solution

I agree!

[Menneisyys]

I hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but how usable is this? The access point range is increased to about a mile, but the Pocket PC still only transmits info back....30 feet! In affect it is only one way communication, right?

Dave

Well, you can also hack your PDA to have an external antenna :) An example of the iPAQ 4150:

http://www.pcdamagecontrol.com/IPAQ%20MOD.htm

[Menneisyys]

:lol:

still it's simpler to make a (big) wireless network and will also give you the benefit of real networking (inc. the security, common settings, compatibility) you expect from a real networking solution

yeah, BT is just not for IP networking.

[jake080]

.... i love BT more now than ever... thanks to BT having a buggy moment... i reestablished contact with an old friend... now shes my girlfriend... all thanks to BlueTooth! :twisted:

thats only sorta true, that all appened, but yeah, BT isnt the only reason i love her ;)

I still think wifi will hold out a while though :P

[surur]

http://www.pcdamagecontrol.com/IPAQ%20MOD_files/image005.jpg

Wow! Thats a cool mod! Dont see you being allowed to use that on an aeroplane though :)

Surur

[Jonathan1]

Wow! Thats a cool mod! Dont see you being allowed to use that on an aeroplane though :)

Surur

Well not yet at any rate. Give it a couple years :)

[beq]

An ISP in an Asian city I'm dealing with is apparently using standard Wi-Fi for their fixed wireless dedicated service to customers over significant distances (not proprietary fixed wireless, not WiMax). I think when it rains there are sometimes interruptions?

[ctmagnus]

8O What I want to know is, whose fingerprint is that on the screen?