Lead developer: malc
Status: Beta
Streethawk scans and connects to all available wireless networks and tells you if there is internet access.
Click here to download StreetHawk-0.1.zip
I'll temporarily display the contents of the readme file below, and this page will be updated soon
StreetHawk Version 0.1
23rd July 2004
streethawk.wififofum.org
Please read this it contains WARNINGS, a tutorial, license and a description.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd-nc/1.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
Disclaimer:
The end user agrees the developer of this software will not be held responsible for any unexpected or detrimental outcomes as a result of using this software. Use at your own risk.
Note:
The laws about connecting to wireless networks vary between countries, be sure you are aware of the laws of your own country. In any case be sure to have the permission of the network’s owner before running StreetHawk in the vicinity of their network.
Requirements:
Pocket PC 2003 with 802.11
Installation instructions:
Copy files from the archive into a folder on your PDA.
Another note:
I own an iPAQ 5550 so I have only tested it on that. I use ROM 1.10.10, wireless firmware 0.100.5.39, Driver version 3.2.4.130
The current wireless driver I use resolves the signal strength issue found in previous drivers. This driver is much more stable however may report strange fluctuations in readings if you are very close to the access point. If you own a different model of iPAQ please ensure your drivers are up to date according to the updates available in the support section of HPs website.
Description
This app will automatically step through available networks and in turn, check if there is web access by requesting the Google index page. It only tries networks that are in infrastructure mode and have WEP off. When an SSID is found it will try to connect, if it doesn’t connect then it will try this SSID the next time only if the signal becomes stronger. If it manages to connect it will try to obtain an IP address. If it doesn’t manage to obtain an IP address it will try this SSID again the next time only if the signal becomes stronger. Once it does obtain an IP address it will try and request the Google.com index page. If the request succeeds and Google responds, the SSID is added to the internet list. Otherwise if an IP was obtained but it could not get the Google page, it will not try this SSID again.
Warning:
1) StreetHawk will clear your preferred network list. So if your home network uses WEP you will have to configure this again after you have finished with StreetHawk. This will be addressed in forthcoming releases.
2) StreetHawk may occasionally fail to exit, depending the stage of the scan it as at. If this happens just soft reset or try to kill the process from Start->Settings->System->Memory->Running Programs. Closing Streethawk with Wisbar etc. or holding down on it in iTask might cause it not to close properly. If you install pocket console it offers more reliable methods of closing the application. If you have pocket console installed and if StreetHawk has refused to close simply switch to the Console output window and close that and that will kill the process cleanly.
3) If WZC pops up the bubble just choose hide, it should stay away after that.
4) You must clear your proxy settings or make sure both connections in connection manager are set to MyISP.
5) If there are multiple access points with the same SSIDs, StreetHawk currently will process them all as if they are independent networks.
Tutorial
Simple:
First make sure you can browse the web in explorer when connected to your access point. Run Streethawk and you should see your ssid added to the available list. Then you can watch it obtain the IP address. Then you will see it trying to make a web access. It should succeed and add your ssid to the internet
list.
Advanced:
Go to a part of your house where the signal to your AP is very weak (holding your hand over the antenna if necessary)
Run StreetHawk and you will see your network found with a weak RSSI (the rssi is along side the ssid) e.g. "FreakyNet -87". Now it wil try to connect to your network. Quickly cover the antenna with your hand to make the signal even weaker and either you will prevent it from connecting and just see "Waiting.." a few times til it gives up, or it will manage to connect but will not get an IP Address. Now walk closer to your AP so the signal will become stronger. You should now see in the debug box e.g. "FreakyNet -34". A higher number means stronger signal. StreetHawk will now attempt to connect to the network again. Let it do its thing and it should connect, get an ip, get web access, and add the ssid to the internet list.
Have fun and please use responsibly!