for, that's the only channel that the probe request goes out on.) If any
hotspots are detected in the area, the AP (access point) sends a probe
response in answer to the request.
By installing one of these active scanning utilities on your laptop, you can get
quite a bit of valuable information. Among other things, you can use it to help
you accurately aim a directional antenna. With the installation of a network
detection application, you can turn a PDA into a highly effective wireless net-
work detector. Among the large number of available program applications are
the following:
NetStumbler: I think I can say, without fear of contradiction, that this is
the most popular of the publicly available wireless network detection
software applications.
MiniStumbler: Designed to be used on Pocket PCs, the application is
both effective and easy to use.
WiFiFoFum: The name alone is reason enough to make mention of this
application written for use on a Pocket PC.
Both 'Stumbler software programs are, according to the author, Marius Milner,
"beggarware." Although they're offered free of cost, if you use one and like it,
you can (as a person of honor) leave a donation to help defray costs and pro-
vide a bit of remuneration for the author's efforts. Beggarware also means the
software has no warranty -- so if it doesn't work, it doesn't work, and you
can't expect a whole lot of technical support.
'Stumbler software isn't extensively tested for hardware compatibility; although
it's compatible with most integrated wireless solutions and adapter cards, it
might not work with yours. If it doesn't, just delete the program from your
system -- it won't cause any problems either way. I've tried it out with a few
different adapter cards, as well as integrated wireless, and it's worked well in
each case. But as they say on TV, your results might vary.
WiFiFoFum seems to be no more extensively tested, and it's compatible with the
Windows Mobile 2003 platforms only. However, Aspecto Software (the group
that developed WiFiFoFum) is continually working on newer versions, so I
expect it to be compatible with Windows Mobile 5.0 as well. As far as which
combination of Pocket PC devices and wireless solutions it works with --
built-in, CF, or SDIO -- all I can say is: Give it a try. The cool, radar-like display
is worth the effort to download and install it.
Adding NetStumbler to a laptop
Open your browser, if it isn't already open, and navigate your way to the
NetStumbler download page at www·netstumbler·com/downloads.
Chapter 5: Spotting Hotspots
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