How to Build a WiFi Booster Antenna for PSP

If your Playstation Portable (PSP) is experiencing problems connecting to the Internet through WiFi, you can make a quick and easy homemade WiFi booster antenna. This is much cheaper than purchasing the Sony antennas, and it works just as well, especially if you are only need to download updates to the software.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pliers
• Copper wire (about a foot)
• Electrical tape

1. Twist the copper wire into a small circle, about the diameter of the PSP logo on the back, or 1 1/2 inches. Twist the end into an inch long coil, double and tripping wrapping the wire so that it is about 1/8 inch thick.

2. Tape the circle to the back of the PSP, using a small amount of electrical tape.

3. Place the coiled end of the wire into the USB port on the bottom of the PSP. Secure it with a small piece of electrical tape. Note that this is completely safe and will not damage the USB port in any way since there is no current running through it. Furthermore, since the WiFi antenna is connected internally to the USB port, this is the only way to create a physical connection to the PSP's internal antenna without opening your handheld.

4. Turn on the PSP. From the main menu, select SETTINGS then WiFi. Select Search, and you should receive a list of available connections.

5. Check that the connection percentage, located on the right, is greater than 30 percent. If so, your antenna is working properly, and you now have greater WiFi range on your PSP.

Tips & Warnings

• Aluminum will work if you cannot get copper wire, but copper works more efficiently with the PSP's hardware.

References

• General information on custom PSP antennas