Things You'll Need:
- Empty aluminum can with 3 to 5 inch diameter
- N-Female chassis mount connector
- Ruler
- Drill with correct bit for the size of your container
- 2 inches of 12-gauge copper wire
- 4 nuts and bolts (unless the connector is screw-on)
- Solder and iron
- Pig tail (male connector)
- Wireless access point with an external antenna connector
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Step 1
Calculate where the N-Female chassis mount connector needs to be placed on your aluminum can. Your cantenna won’t work properly without the correct location. To figure out exactly where to mount the connector, you need to determine the wavelength your can will generate, which is determined by its diameter. By typing in the diameter in an online calculator, you will get your can’s wavelength values.
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Step 2
Measure one-fourth of the wavelength measurement from the bottom of the can with a ruler and mark with a dot.
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Step 3
Drill a hole in your marked spot. Make sure the hole is sized to fit your connector.
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Step 4
Place the copper wire in the connector. Make sure the total length sticking out of the connector is 1.21 inches long, including the length of the connector’s brass tube.
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Step 5
Solder the wire into the connector, making sure to keep it upright.
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Step 6
Screw the assembly into the can after it has cooled. If using bolts, make sure the heads are screwed inside the can.
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Step 7
Connect the cantenna to an access point by using a cable known as a pigtail. You can purchase one at an electronics stores. Choose a pigtail with a male connector on one side and make sure the other end will connect to your access point—you may need to find a specific access point that will accept the pigtail. In the end, you’ll have a cantenna attached to a pigtail that is hooked up to an access point attached to your computer.
