Most WarDrivers use a laptop loaded with network-sensing applications like NetStumbler, plugged into a small, omni-directional antenna. "On my first drive, I had a single directional antenna, a cheap old Lucent wireless card and a Windows laptop running NetStumbler," c0nv3r9 said. "I didn't have anything to mount the antenna while I drove, so I concocted a stand from my laptop case, a sport drink bottle and the seatbelt of the passenger side."
But even a setup as rudimentary as c0nv3r9's isn't necessary. WarDriving is equally successful sans any special equipment, according to networking consultant Mike Sweeney. All a user really needs is a computer with wireless capabilities.
"An external antenna does help, but it is not required," Sweeney said. "Someone could be scanning for networks with their PDA in a backpack while reading a book on the steps and nobody would be the wiser."
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