Build A Cantenna Wifi
See how to build a weatherproof compact high gain WiFi antenna for under fifteen dollars! This homemade WiFi antenna should be enough for most applications, since it's three times more powerful than a standard antenna.For this compact DIY Wi-Fi antenna, you'll need a 12cm x 12cm sheet of brass, a semi-rigid coaxial cable an SMA connector at the end (you can get them at eBay), some 1-1/ square millimeter wire and an old tupperware container. You'll also need some wire cutters, glue, and a soldering iron.This is a great, sturdy, strong and reliable do-it-yourself WiFi antenna that picks up a great signal!
How to build a tin can waveguide antenna How To Build A Tin Can Waveguide WiFi Antenna for 802.11(b or g) Wireless Networksor other 2.4GHz ApplicationsGot no dough for a commercial WiFi antenna?Looking for an inexpensive way to increase the range of your wirelessnetwork? A tin can waveguide antenna, or Cantenna, may be just theticket. This design can be built for under $5 U.S.
And reuses a food,juice, or other tin can.I am not an electrical engineer, nor do I have access to any fancy testequipment. I've built some antennas that worked for me and thought I wouldshare what I learned. I have no idea if this is safe for your radio orwireless network equipment. The risk to you and your equipment is yours.Building your Cantenna is easy, just follow these steps. Collect the parts. Drill or punch holes in your can to mount the probe. Assemble the probe and mount in canCollect the parts:You'll need:.
A N-Female chassis mount connector. Four small nuts and bolts. A bit of thick wire. A cancan supply the parts (the wire and canyou provide yourself).The ConnectorA N type Female Chassis-mount connector. One side is N-femalefor connecting the cable from your wireless equipment, and the otherside has a small brass stub for soldering on wire.
These can befound at electronics stores internet suppliers (see the list belowunder 'Connect your antenna.' If you shop around, youshould be able to find these for $3-$5.Nuts & BoltsYou'll need them just long enough to go through the connector andthe can. I've used #6x1/4' stainless. If your N-connector isa screw on type, then you won't need the nuts and bolts.WireYou'll need about 1.25' of 12 guage copper wire. This wirewill stick into the brass stub in the N-connector.A CanThis is the fun part.
You're looking for a can between about 3'and 3 2/3' in diameter. The size doesn't have to be exact. Imade a good antenna with a Nalley's 'Big Chunk' Beef Stewcan that was 3.87' in diameter.
Others have reported good resultswith big 39oz. Coffee cans that are 6' in diameter.
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The pringlescan is really too small for good performance, however. Try to getas long a can as possible. The old fashioned fruit juice cans shouldwork well.Drill or punch holes in your can to mount the probeThe N-connector assembly will mount in the side of your can. You needto put holes in the right place to mount the connector. The placementof the hole and connect is very important. It's location is derived fromformulas that use the frequency that the antenna will operate at and thecan diameter.
Cantenna Design
To make life easy on you, here's a calculator to figureit out for you. Can DiameterCuttoff Frequency in MHz for TE11 modeMHzCuttoff Frequency in Mhz for TM01 modeMHzGuide Wavelength in Inchesinches1/4 Guide Wavelengthinches3/4 Guide WavelengthinchesEnter the diameter of your can above and click on the calculate button.802.11b and 802.11g WiFi networking equipment operates at a range offrequencies from 2.412 GHz to 2.462 GHz. Ideally, with yourcan size, the TE11 cut-off frequency should be lower than 2.412 andthe TM01 cut-off should be higher than 2.462.
It would be good, also,if your can is longer than the 3/4 Guide Wavelength. If your can isa little off in length or diameter, don't despair,!You want to mark the location on the can where you will put the holefor the connector. The 1/4 Guide Wavelength number tells you how farup from the bottom metal end of the can to put the center of the hole.Open only one end of your can, eat the contents, and give it a goodwashing. You'll probably want to remove the label too.
Use a ruler tomeasure up from the closed end 1/4 Guide Wavelength and mark the canwith a dot.If you've got a drill, select a bit that matches the size of the centerof your connector. You may want to start with a small bit and work thehole larger and larger. You could even start with a hammer and nail,then use drill bits. If you don't have a drill, start with a nail holeand use a file to get the hole to the required size. If you're usinga bolt on connector, make four more holes for the bolts - you can usethe connector as a drilling guide.Assemble the probe and mount in canNow you'll need that bit of wire. You'll need a soldering iron or a friendwith one as well.
Cut the wire so that when it is stuck in the connectoras shown, the total length of both the brass tube and wire sticking outpast the connector is 1.21'. Get as close to this length as you can.When you've got your wire correctly sized, solder it into the connectorkeeping it as straight and upright as you can. When it's cooled, boltor screw the assembly into your can. Put the heads of the bolts insidethe can and the nuts on the outside to minimize the obstructions in yourantenna. Connect your antenna to your wireless card or access pointTo use your cantenna, you'll need a special cable commonly called a 'PigTail'. The pig tail connects your wireless card or access point toyou antenna.
One end of the cable will have a 'N' Male connector(just right for connecting your your cantenna), while the other end willhave a connector appropriate to your card or access point. For a goodpicture of a pig tail, take a look at:You'll want to have a wireless NIC or access point with an external antennaconnector. Otherwise, you may have to hack into the one you have to hookup the cable. I wouldn't recommend this unless you're good with a solderingiron and electronics.
Build A Cantenna Wifi Router
For this reason, I like the Agere Orinoco cardswhich have a nice antenna connector. Pig Tails can be hand made if youhave the right tools, but it's probably easier to get a pre-made one.Try:.Fleeman Anderson & Bird has a 'cantenna kit' for salethat includes the connector and pigtail.
Cantenna Gain
Choose one of the 'cables'links from the menu and look towards the bottom of the list.Hook up your cable, point the antenna at a friend's, and see how faryou can stretch you network. Be sure to let me know (greg@turnpoint.net)how it works.This antenna has linear polarization.
That means that how you rotatethe antenna will affect the strength of your signal. Usually, you willwant to put the connection straight down, but experiment with rotatingthe can while watching the signal strength on your PC to get the bestperformance.For more information, check out these resources:.Click on images to enlargeCopyright 2003-2007 Gregory Rehm - All rights reserved.For information about reproducing this article in any format,contact the author: greg@turnpoint.net.