You won't like my response, as it is virtualy the same as when you about
USB Wifi recomendations. I thought it a little suspect when combined with your thread on
how do i change my mac address and maybe my ip address. I don't know if I still do. Here is what I know.
This is a little more than a dongle. In the next couple of years, you might be able to get what your looking for- but likely with another wireless protocol set for software interface, hardware, and data structures. In the meantime, to get that kind do distance, don't live in a city, and have good LOS between the two transceivers.
Link to a DIY Yagi in a Pringles Can. You can hack the lucent antenna connection by drilling out a part of the battery cover- if your using a PB- do it at your own risk!!!
For now,
AirShare.org is the best place to start for info on wifi, hotspots and mods.
I know you already have a program like
Kismac or
iStumbler or
MacStumbler so that you can get better metrics on your signal strength. iStumbler now has a Widget that connects to the program if your running it. Kismac is my preferd wireless too.l The OSX provided Airport signal graph is nearly static. It provides 5 points of resolution with no ability to know what the scale is.
If you choose a directional antenna, which I think might be too much trouble, these tools will help you figure out how best to align it. It's also nice to have a good stumbler for when your out and about- but you already know that.
USB DONGLE:
Hawkingtech offers a nice little portable external wifi router (
HWL2A) (with high-gain antenna) that will double as a wifi locator (looks a little like a StarTrek tricorder). This tool can be used as an external router that can directly connect to your mac. It's on my list to purchase, but I haven’t used it. Hack it if you must.
ALSO USB DONGLE:The
DWL-122 by d-link has drivers somewere- and is compatable with Kissmac and Mac. This is a 802-
b unit, it's not G. This will give you some advantages with noise reduction and interference robustness, but it is slower. You could hack an antenna- at $40 its not to much a loss should you kill the transmitter.
WiFi isn't mono directional. The router and the computer are each transceivers. So you can boost your reception and transmission, but that doesn’t mean that the other side has done the same. Adding a better antenna at one end helps only 1/2 the equation- but that can be enough, but not likely 1 mile.
I tried a variety of passive antennas and passive repeaters and have not had any distance greater than 1/2 mile. (I wanted to use my Tmobile account at my old apartment. I move away, and there is now a Starbucks on the corner).
There arn't to many USB dongles that are Mac compatable, mostly because all Mac's have an Airport built into them. Companies just didn't find it profitable. If you look at a Kismac forum(
Here is a netstumbler one) then you can get better direction.
Is the 1 mile distance requirement a need or want?
Things to also consider, remember that walls can be reflectors and baffles to signals. Directional antennas are always more efficient in principle.
If your want to war-walk with your computer closed, there is
insomnia - which is made by the people that do Kissmac. It works for 4 minutes before the kernel puts the computer to sleep.
Lastly,as stated by mklos,
GOOGLE is your friend.
Don't froget to share what you learn.
