Cantenna + Powerbook G4 Titanium?

Haha, you're right, long time no see GITANAJAVA. I'm sorry to hear about your iBook.

Anyway, I think you have two options. You can get something that extends the free wireless network into your granny flat or you can get something that attaches to your PowerBook as a third party aerial and boosts your reception.

I think the former is probably more reliable and easier because as a rule, third party wireless hardware doesn't play well with Macs. However, if you get something to piggyback your current wireless network then it'll bypass the OS. This is both simpler and more reliable.

From briefly looking at the Cantenna page, it seems to need to be plugged into the original router. Would the landlords mind you plugging such a device into their router? Even if they don't mind, their router might not be compatible. I reckon your best bet is to find out what brand of wireless router or access point your network is using (just ask the landlord or whoever is in charge). Most companies make devices which you can simply plug into a power socket and will pick up a wireless network and extend its range. For maximum efficiency and assurance that it'll be compatible, use the same brand as your original router.

I hope that all made sense.

Well, even if you know sod-all, could you find out the brand name (and maybe even the model number if it's written on there too) of the router?

on my old powerbook I had similar issue and removed my old airport card and bought a new card from http://www.macwireless.com it did occupy my pcmcia slot but mine was empty and if you don't mind it sticking out then it wa a great solution because they buy the old card back and the new card total cost is about $20

also apple's support website shows ho to open up a ti powerbook and remove the card...it pretty easy actually (only about 10min.)

networking

for just a geeky experiment I took a cantenna along with a linksys wireless bridge and linked it in with a house down the street... so no I had an RJ45 connection I could do with what I wanted... so I stuck it into my wireless router and re-broadcast it in my house, worked pretty cool, I left it for a day or two just for fun, maybe you could do this, Or I think certain routers will work as a signal amp of sorts.. look around the linksys site... not without reading the artical on my site about setting up a linksys router..

D

http://trialsoftheswitch.com/?p=25

Okay, well can you check the brand for yourself? Is there's a room that keeps all this equipment together? If there really isn't any way of finding the brand then just head for a well known range extender brand such as Linksys, Belkin or Netgear. I don't have experience with putting these on third-party wireless networks but I imagine they'll work. Ideally get the extender from a retailer who'll give you a refund if it's incompatible with your current network. Good luck.

A few notes:

Firstly, you cant plug an external antenna into a powerbook unless your using a USB or some kind of external wireless device.

Secondly, a cantenna is directional. Meaning, it would suit your end of the link, but not the other end. The base station end must remain omni directional, so all can benefit from the signal it's providing.

Some options:

1) Get a beefier omni directional antenna installed on the base station for the complex. A good one would be a 'waveguide' antenna, which looks like a long section of gutter pipe with slots cut in it. Or just a colinea 'whip' style antenna. You'll want something that beefs the signal up around 7dbi to 14dbi, or something like that.

2) Get yourself a wireless base station, something cheap like a linksys or d-link or something, but something with the ability to plug in an external antenna. (the factory antenna's can unscrew).. then get yourself a cheap directional antenna. I made one out of a pineapple juice tin, however having it mounted outside my place caused it to rust, so I made a new one out of some rectangle aluminium pipe (3mm, gutter style)... It cost me about $10 usd all up with the bulkhead connector, etc.

Setup the wireless access point in your room/place, with the small directional antenna facing roughly where the base station is located, all good, super signal. Then wirelessly connect your powerbook to your own local base station. It would be a bridge, or repeater.

There is tonnes of information on the internet on doing wireless 'cheap'. Look for the local free wireless community web pages that have tips, tricks, howto's etc.

One I frequent is http://www.e3.com.au/ (which is a western australia based 'freenet' site).

There are links on there on making antenna's, etc.

A good online shop is http://www.freenet-antennas.com which is again, Australian. There are instructions on there on how to make a small aluminium 'brick' antenna (like the one i made), very easy, you just need a hacksaw and drill. This site also has info on other commerical antenna's.

good luck

Well, the PowerBooks use metal (aluminium mostly) as their shell. It looks very pretty but it has a few problems, one of which is the unfortunate ability to reflect wireless signals. Therefore, less waves manage to get to the antenna so your reception isn't as strong. The MacBook Pros unfortunately have a similar problem. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do about it. Sorry mate.

Conversely, the iBook and regular MacBook generally get outstanding reception.

I have a similar dilemma. What I would like to do ideally would be to hook up the cantenna through USB. Does anybody know if this can be done?

I.e. is there an adapter that connects a RPSMA plug (I think that's what the cable on the Cantenna is called) to a USB port?

I don't know about USB, but the Cantenna website mentions using a MCX-Plug Laptop Adapter with AirPorts, however this won't work with all AirPort cards/Macs. What Mac do you have ribbonthecat?

Yeah, I've noted that. I have a 12'' PB, so that won't work. But thanks.

Crap. So is plugging the Cantenna into the router (rather than the PowerBook) an option?

I don't have a router, but one of those access points, which picks up the signal from one of my University's dorms across the street and rebroadcasts it though my flat. Problem is, it doesn't broadcast reliably to my half of the apartment, and we can't connect the Cantenna, because we need something that is omnidirectional to pick up the signal.

Regarding the comment about the TiBooks and Aluminum PBooks and MBPro's...totally true. Had a TiBook for about 3 years and that machine had pretty great reception if I was near a hotspot. However, if I went just a little outside the most consistent range, it practically died or kept reconnecting.

Picked up a MacBook 2 months ago...amazing. I've been picking up wireless networks from across the street with full signal...had maybe 1 or 2 bars with the TiBook.