Hello and here is my crazy idea (anyone done this here?)

[jwilds73]

Ok I stumbled across this forum while looking into outdoor wi-fi antenna's because of what I plan on building, now more about that. I have Clearwire (http://www.clearwire.com/) as my ISP and I am very happy with their service. However I will be getting a new PDA Cell Phone soon the LG VX 6700 (http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=2200) and since Verizon doesn't have their ev-do network in my area and I will not be purchasing any data plan at this time. I am going to build a mobile wi-fi network in my truck. That way I can sit at work and get Wi-Fi access from my own ISP since I can park my car right outside the building in direct eye contact from my window. I plan on getting a voltage inverter and a couple extra batteries which I will put on a isolated system that can be charged by the truck when it is running without draining the trucks battery. I'm not an electronics wizard but I know this can be done and is currently being done by some Clearwire techs testing out their VOIP service (in their cars) they will be adding soon. If I decide to go crazy later I'll add a solar panel charging system like they use on RV's to my trucks bed cover. Anyways thats my basic idea get a couple (non acid cell) batteries, a voltage inverter, a nice outdoor antenna (mounted on the roof of the truck), a wifi router and my clearwire modem. So what do you guys think? Anyone done this and know what I might be missing or need also? It wont be pretty at first I'm just going to buy the stuff and get it running asap then worry about how it looks.

Jwilds73

[M/Q]

In theory and if I understand you correctly it should work just fine. It sounds like you want your vehicle to be able to receive the Clearwire signal and then you want to re-broadcast it to your office. You mentioned outside antenna, is that for your router or for the Clearwire device? And if you need an outside antenna for one, you may need another antenna for the other device, if the metal car obstructs the signal enough.

I also am going to ask this just because it is bugging me a bit. If you are working in the car I understand needing the Clearwire device and hooking it up to your computer. But, why not while you are in the office just bring the Clearwire device inside and connect it to your computer there?

[jwilds73]

Well for easy of use anywhere I want to have it be mobile in my vehicle. The clearwire modem works fine when close to a window and since I have six windows in my truck I think it should work fine in there unless I bury on the floorboard etc. My basic idea is to make a mobile hotspot for my friends and I (As long as I am in the service area for the clearwire signal). Which is why I want to build it into the truck itself. So it won't be just for use at work but anywhere I go in my truck within the service area. As you suggested I may want to pop open the clearwire wireless modem itself and see if I couldn't adapt a larger antenna to it so as to increase my signal strenght in weaker area's and or increase the signal range slightly.