[PLUG] Linksys WPC11 wifi card - warning! (Was Senao PCMCIA card)

[Mike Layne]

Keith's point is well taken.  I run the version 3.  I have no experience 
with the v4.

Being a guy after Tim Allen's heart, I'm always interested in more 
power.  200mW vs. 13.  No brainer.  So I did take a look at the Senao 
cards and noticed the two versions.  Plus and Plus EXT2.  The EXT2 takes 
external antennae.  Does it also have an internal antenna?  The write-up 
suggested that if you don't need to switch to various kinds of antenna 
that rather than buy the EXT2 and a clip on antenna, you simply buy the 
Plus version with internal antenna.  Any real difference in performance 
between the internal and the clip on antenna?

Also, is there a difference if your WAP is not a 200mW WAP.  I have a 
linksys WAP11 at home and I'd bet dollars to donuts its nowhere near 
200mW.  I suspect that no matter how strong the wireless card, if the 
other end is weaker you will be limited to the weakest signal, at least 
when receiving.  Is this nuts?

Mike Layne

Thanks,

Keith Lofstrom wrote:

>Warning!  Warning!
>
>The WPC11 comes in multiple versions.  The original versions are PRISM
>chipsets, with Linux drivers. Good stuff, and working fine for Mike and
>many other people.  Version 4.0, the currently shipping version, is a
>Cardbus card using the RealTek chipset, *without* Linux drivers.  Unless
>you know exactly which version you are getting, the WPC11 is a crapshoot.
>
>Note also, the WPC11 (version 3) is a 13mW card (11.2dB on channel 11)
>while the Senao is 200mW.  Sometimes power and range matters;  talking
>to a >=200mW WAP, the Senao will work at four times the distance.  
>
-- 

Mike Layne
8780 SW Bohmann Pkwy
Portland, Oregon 97223
T 503-246-1441
F 503-246-0344