Shown is my Gateway server a Mid Tower Compaq Presario and repeater node, a Compaq slim line computer. They continue to operate today however the radio cards are now 200 mW and they use commercial 8 dbi antenna.

First antenna a Primo Tomato and Basil Sauce with "Duct" horn extension.

I remember the cost of a website that indicated it will only take less than 5 US dollars worth of parts to make a great antenna.  Funny it cost me over $45 dollars.  I guess you have buy the parts in volume?

The final product spray painted White and place a logo of a Toucan pun for two cans. Get it?

In the early days I thought directional antenna was the way to go but later I found that the omni direction is ideal for Wireless Mesh in the 802.11B standard.

To build a omni directional antenna required a little more effort and the cost started to go up.  Luckily I found a local manufacturer www.superpass.com .  It seems that he provided most of the retailers on the net.  What I found is I pay less for an antenna than my Toucan.

Looking back I just have to laugh what I did to save a buck.  Today I take "off the shelve" parts and assemble the units together.  It doesn't take a lot of rocket science to figure this out but it sure helps when you have the right parts!