Outdoor Fonera Prototype

It's encouraging to see that Fon finally acknowledges the Fonero Community's intense interest in La FonPod, after 3 years. However, I have doubts that the leaky-looking device pictured here would be satisfactory.

Instead of thrusting another take-it-or-leave-it gadget upon us with no advance warning, perhaps Fon would be willing to engage the Fonero Community first, for features requests and designs?

My concept of La FonPod is an enclosure with an internal flatpanel antenna, and ships with Power over Ethernet (PoE) adapters. The mounting bracket should permit installation upon either vertical wall or pole, and feature adjustable angle of elevation. The case should be manufactured as a seamless shell with only a single opening upon the bottom, like an upside down plastic wastebasket plugged with a recessed partition.

A standard La Fonera would simply be inserted inside and attached to service cables.

An optional kit would consist of a holder for a dozen or so standard rechargeable batteries, and include a simple voltage regulator, so that La FonPod might be powered by sun or wind.

Some people do not wish for a bigger antenna, so perhaps FonPod1 would simply be an enclosure, and FonPod2 would include the antenna. Both would feature PoE and be compatible with the rechargeable battery pack. :)

Hi there,

Some comments:
1) Power supply should be modular depending on location's availability and/or regulations for outdoor installation
2) A must is lightning protection for both eth and power
3) Antenna - Patch panel antenna is nice but expensive so again it should be an option
4) The enclosure should be designed according international standards , just recommendation - IP65

Keep the pace,
Cheers

I request:

-POE is a requirement

-as the first commenter stated, ability to mount it on a pole, or on a building

-Wireless N. Wireless N has been around a while, and I'm guessing such a device can be sold for around $100 and still be of great quality.

-The ability to power it via standard rechargeable batteries is a great idea, but I'd rather it is NOT standard. Having it as an option would be great though

Standard RP-SMA external antenna. A TNC antenna would be acceptable, but as many of us own large 7dB RP-SMA antennas, it would be nice to have the ability to use it. This would be if it is an 802.11g router, NOT 802.11n. I state this because 802.11n is typically 5.0ghz, where 802.11g 2.4ghz... so our old antennas would only be of use if it is wireless g. Even if it is wireless N, I am sure I speak for most of us when I would GREATLY appreciate an EXTERNAL antenna to allow for upgraded antenna/modded antenna

-Seth

Any news for this prototype?

I'm very interested in...

(Sorry for my bad english.)

@Steppenwolf, I don't have a release date at this time, I know it's generated a lot of interest. Hopefully it's something we can bring to market soon.