Many wireless PCMCIA cards have a (very small!) jack for an external
antenna. There is really no practical and effective way to add an
antenna to an internal wireless card - you are going to have to spring
for a new card. Of course you will be looking for one with an antenna
jack, but also pay attention to the emitted power from the card. These
apparently come either as 20 milliwatts or 300 milliwatts. More is
better if your problem is getting the base station to hear your signal.

When you buy an external antenna, get one which is either two or 3
stacked verticals (two or three straight sections of wire, separated by
coiled sections). Then insert this antenna at the focal point of a
parabolic reflector: http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template/

This combination will get you gain into the 20db range.

bob
s/v Eolian
Seattle


luc wrote:
how does KVH F-33 work? I'm curious about your situation.

I've got wi fi on the dock, but it's lousy. I'm told by my service
provider I can buy a gadget, probaby an antenna, or amplifier, for
another $150. Then I saw plans for a Cantenna, made from a tin can,
but my laptop hasn't got any jack for an antenna. Know anything about
that?

Luc