DIY Cantenna

[kadhal]

You can build your own Wifi Antenna , it can be built for under $5.

Here are the websites that will tell you how to make a simple cantenna

http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html

http://www.oreillynet.com/etel/blog/2001/07/antenna_on_the_cheap_er_chip.html


A small note here is that it might be illegal to use a cantenna on others networks but I can tell you its legal in germany and denmark.

[amitpatel_3001]

wow thats a pretty cheap and cool idea :)
and that too for 5$ cost.
Thanks for the information

[Inspector Gadget]

Awsome, I have got to build one of these! Thanks! :D

[Versonymous]

You need:
1. Drill bit or hole punch with diameter slightly greater than diameter of antenna on router
2. Razor blade or dremel tool with thin cutting disk to cut off can top and around can bottom (not all the way around the bottom)

I found a site that described a very complex process for making a parabolic antenna to increase signal strength directionally. I have a Belkin 54G router and I just cut the tops off of 2 regular coke cans, cut right around the base, about 80% around, and if you heat the can they will stop curling and let you bend the can. I just threw mine on the gas burner for a few seconds, printed off the parabola guide...

http://img.timeinc.net/popsci/images/h20/how0605dyiWiFi_730xtemplate.jpg

...bent the can to fit the curve, (you can cut a piece of foam, styrofoam, whatever with a slit that follows the parabola and slide the can through the cut in the foam if you want a perfect parabola). Drill a hole in the dead center of the base of the cans and slide one over each antenna.

I used to not be able to get signal on my porch at all and now I get full/excellent signal strength... just remember this is directional. I have my router in the back corner of my house so it works well for me.

Cost: $1.00 for 2 cans of coke

[Versonymous]

You need:
1. Drill bit or hole punch with diameter slightly greater than diameter of antenna on router
2. Razor blade or dremel tool with thin cutting disk to cut off can top and around can bottom (not all the way around the bottom)

I found a site that described a very complex process for making a parabolic antenna to increase signal strength directionally. I have a Belkin 54G router and I just cut the tops off of 2 regular coke cans, cut right around the base, about 80% around, and if you heat the can they will stop curling and let you bend the can. I just threw mine on the gas burner for a few seconds, printed off the parabola guide... (Its an attached image)...bent the can to fit the curve, (you can cut a piece of foam, styrofoam, whatever with a slit that follows the parabola and slide the can through the cut in the foam if you want a perfect parabola). Drill a hole in the dead center of the base of the cans and slide one over each antenna.

I used to not be able to get signal on my porch at all and now I get full/excellent signal strength... just remember this is directional. I have my router in the back corner of my house so it works well for me.

Cost: $1.00 for 2 cans of coke

Image from: http://www.binarywolf.com/249/diy-parabolic-reflector.htm

[amitpatel_3001]

The image is really informative , lets give a try with all these tweaks :D

[azn1art]

Time to make 2 more cantennas... even though I already have 3 :P

[soul]

but i heard that the cantenna has to be made to the rite spec, otherwise it wont work?

[kadhal]

but i heard that the cantenna has to be made to the rite spec, otherwise it wont work?


yes it is and the diameter depends on the frequency and check this for the frequency

http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html

[jacubilloro]

I don't really understand how they work??? You have to make at least 2 of them and point them towards each other?
Someone please explain...
Thnkz

[azn1art]

No.. You use one of them to be able to find other access points. The cantenna amplifies the signal. Most of the time you just turn it *Slowly* in a clockwise motion until you get a signal. It's just like a huge wi-fi card...

[jacubilloro]

So it can increase the recieving signal, ok, but can it also do the same for transmitting signals?

[azn1art]

So it can increase the recieving signal, ok, but can it also do the same for transmitting signals?

Yes it does, me and my cousin used to share internet when our houses were about a half a block from each other. We just used two cantennas and pointed them at each other. It will be hard though because you would have to align them just right. *We just used a Laser Pointer*

[jacubilloro]

Another use for the most-wanted-prize on the contest...
I think I'll build a couple. One for me and one for a friend who live on the other side of the block...
I remember I read somewhere that cantennas could work with distances like in miles...

[azn1art]

where that cantennas could work with distances like in miles...

It all depends on the cantenna.. We had cantennas that were about 4 inches long. They didn't go that far... We had to use 2 cantennas that were about 10 inches each.. to be able to get it to work.

[jacubilloro]

10" each!!!
What did you used? Paint Cans?!?!?! TrashCans?!?!?! :)

[azn1art]

No... The cantennas my brother bought since they were suppose to be able to work in the rain, snow, hail, etc.. The casing was plastic but it manage to work for about a year til we took it down since my cousin moved.

[hulkster]

So it can increase the recieving signal, ok, but can it also do the same for transmitting signals?Ditto previous comments that this is quite doable - during the holidays, I have a wireless webcam across the street and I just point the Cantenna in it's general direction.

[jacubilloro]

Ok, But I don't think this can be used as Point to justify that cantennas can be used to amplify transmit signals. A webcam only needs to send data. Not so much receive.

[hulkster]

The webcam is controllable, so yea, while most of the data is FROM the webcam, stuff is also sent TO it. A picture of my christmas setup is here (http://www.komar.org/christmas/real/issues.html) - see the image at the bottom and webcam1 which worked dandy for the month of December. I never did install "webcam2" as outlined in that picture, so I I'll have to get around to updating that picture for 2006 sometime.

[jacubilloro]

Ok, so then point proven. Cantennas do increase send/receive signal.
As a side note...
Oh man!!! So many lights!!! 26 THOUSAND!
How much do you pay to the electric company for the december bill?!?!?!

[hulkster]

Since the lights are being turned on and off (plus they are only on in the evening), it's not as bad as you think ... but the electrical meter does spin like heck.

[azn1art]

Since the lights are being turned on and off (plus they are only on in the evening), it's not as bad as you think ... but the electrical meter does spin like heck.

You a video of the electrical meter? lol Ours just spin SLOWLY....no matter how much energy we use...

[jacubilloro]

I would love to be in front of your house admiring that massive lightin. i bet you could probably see it from the sky. Isn't there a company that can take sattelite pics of any lacation you want for about $200 each pic?

[hulkster]

I have some satellite pictures here (http://www.komar.org/faq/satellite_photo/) but I just used free resources ... pretty much everything available is shot during daytime - makes sense. One of my (many) jokes is the 26,000 flashing christmas lights in 2005 were a backup communications plan for NASA so they could send Morse Code to the International Space Station.