Intego WiFi Locator
The electronic nose that smells WiFi hot-spots

The wireless revolution is a palpable sign of new global era. First mobile phones, now WiFi devices connect to Internet with greater and greater speed, using the numerous "access points" distributed in the urban areas. Unfortunately not always WiFi hot-spots are marked in an adequate way and not always the power of the radio signal is at the best level. To find easily an "access point" is necessary to have always on our mobile computer (Notebook or PDA) and move it continuously searching for a radio signal.
Today, thanks to the WiFi Locator, we can look for wireless networks in a better way and also know the power of the available signal.
 


 

WHAT NETS WE CAN FIND

Produced by the american company Intego, specialized in security products destined to Macintosh systems, WiFi Locator is able to find both the 802.11b and the 802.11g networks. These net typologies, that in the "Apple world" are called Airport and Airport Extreme, work on the 2.4 GHz - 2.462 GHz radio frequency range and are the most commonly used in the modern wireless access points, both in public and private fields.

The difference between the two typologies Airport and Airport Extreme is in the data rate. The 802.11b supplies a theoretical bitrate of 11 Mbit/s while the 802.11g supplies a theoretical bitrate of 54 Mbit/s.
Actually the real speeds are about half the maximum, in particular if the distance between hot-spot and mobile device is close to 100 meters. For this reason is always important to have the highest possible signal, when we want to use a WLAN (Wireless LAN).
 


 

Having a signal of good strength means also preserving the battery charge of portable WiFi devices. In fact the wireless connection (that is bidirectional) constitutes one of the principal sources of energy consumption for a PDA or Notebook, particularly when the hot-spots power is low. The rule is: good hot-spot signal, more battery duration.


 

INSTALLATION

The WiFi Locator is supplied with installed batteries, ready to the use, in a blister rich of informations about the use and the working fields of the device. After opening the wrapping we can hook the WiFi Locator to a key ring and begin the exploration of wireless networks. To look for a hot-spot we have to be steady and point the Locator toward a direction. The arrow carved on the shell shows the exploration direction. Now press the central button and keep it pressed down. Four LEDs flash in sequence for about half second if the radio signal is strong, a few seconds if the power received is weak. At the end of blinking, one or more LEDs remain lighted on the basis of the radio signal strength. If LEDs keep on flashing without stopping, no WiFi 802.11b or 802.11g net is present. Is necessary to change the search direction or move and repeat the research operations.
After we have found a WiFi net, is possible to improve the detection keeping pressed the button and moving the WiFi Locator around the detected point. This function of WiFi transmitter coupling, is very useful to avoid obstacles that attenuate the signal and always choose the optimum position. When the maximum LEDs number is on, we can head our computer toward that direction.
 

 


 

BATTERIES REPLACEMENT

The two lithium batteries, type CR2032, 3 Volt and 220 mAh (NOT RECHARGEABLE), guarantee a long working autonomy, at least a year in conditions of normal use. When LEDs start weakening, replacing the batteries is necessary.
Unscrew the three screws and open the shell of the device. Raise the printed circuit board so as access the batteries room. With the help of a toothpick push the two CR2032 outside their housings. The insertion of the new batteries is even more simple, we can use the fingers and push the "coin cells" in the housings, respecting the right polarity. After replacing the batteries, put back the printed circuit board in the right position and close the shell screwing up well.


 

CONCLUSIONS

Waiting for a completely wireless world, a device like WiFi Locator is of big usefulness to find out the wireless areas independently from the computers and operating systems used. Its compact dimensions and the precision of the survey, do a big ally for the hot-spot hunters and a useful accessory to test the company nets.

I thank Intego for sending me the test sample. Now my map of Rome hot-spots is really up to date.

The direct link for this product is: http://www.intego.com/wiFiLocator

The link for Intego's homepage is: http://www.intego.com/home.asp
 
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