How to Build a Cantenna Wi-Fi Antenna

Build your own Wi-Fi antenna from a simple tin can.

It might not be pretty but it works – a cantenna is a homemade, directional Wi-Fi antenna that you can make yourself from an ordinary tin can. It is used to obtain better Wi-Fi reception or gain over distances. In addition, it can penetrate through walls more effectively than an omni-directional antenna. Homemade cantennas have been known to achieve an outdoor range of up to three miles in a clear line of sight!

Things You'll Need

• Clean tin can
• N-connectors, female and male
• Drill and metal drill bit
• Glue
• 14 gauge copper wire
• Soldering gun and solder

Instructions

1. Wash and dry your tin can. Remove any paper labels from the outside of the can.

2. Solder a piece of 14-gauge copper wire to the top of a female N-connector.

3. Measure your can from the base and mark a point exactly two inches above the bottom of the can.

4. Drill a hole in the top of the can at the exact center. The hole should be large enough that you can insert the female N-connector snugly.

5. Apply glue to the female N-connector to secure it to the mounting hole in the can.

6. Connect the cantenna to your Wi-Fi router or adapter using a male N-connector.

7. Point the cantenna and adjust until you achieve the best decibel gain.

References

• CruftBox.com: Making a Cantenna
• YouTube: How to Build Your Own Cantenna to Boost Wi-Fi Range