How to Build a WiFi Receptor Antenna

Wireless networks share a common problem: The signal strength may be insufficient to reach the intended device’s wireless antenna. You can build a simple Wi-Fi antenna that will increase the receptive range of your wireless network, without having to open up or modify any of the devices that constitute the network. You will just need a few hardware tools and a common metal can from the grocery store. Your homemade Wi-Fi antenna may not look as slick as a commercially made one, but it will work just as well and not cost you as much.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Screw on N-female chassis mount connector
• 12 gauge copper wire
• Wire cutters
• Ruler
• 3 inch diameter soup can
• Paper towels
• Can opener
• Black permanent marker
• Portable drill
• 1/4 inch drill bit
• Soldering iron
• Solder
• Pig-tail antenna connector

Instructions

1. Put newspaper down on a work surface. Cut a 1 1/2 inch strip of the copper wire with the wire cutters. Put the cut piece of copper wire down on the newspaper.

2. Open the soup can with the can opener. Throw away the lid. Empty the contents of the soup can in the kitchen sink or into a storage container.

3. Wash out the soup can with soapy water. Remove the label from the soup can with your fingers. Dry out the soup can with paper towels. Stand the soup can on the newspaper with the open side up to dry out.

4. Place the soup can on its side on the newspaper after it has dried with the closed end at the right.

5. Measure 3 3/4th inches up from the closed end of the soup can towards the other end with the ruler. Make a mark with the black permanent marker.

6. Drill a hole through the side of the soup can at the mark with the portable drill.

7. Insert one end of the copper wire into the brass tube that is at the end of the screw on N-female chassis mount connector. Apply solder around the copper wire where it meets the brass tube. Let the solder cool for a minute.

8. Insert the copper wire into the hole in the side of the soup can. Solder the end of the screw on N-female chassis mount connector to the soup can. Let the solder cool for a minute.

9. Screw the male end of the N connector on one end of the pig-tail antenna connector onto the female connector on the N-female chassis mount connector.

10. Plug the other end of the pig-tail antenna connector into the antenna port of the device that will be recieving the signal from your wireless network.

11. Aim the open end of the soup can toward the point where the wireless network originates.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear work gloves and protective eye gear when using the drill.

• Adult supervision is required if the person making the Wi-Fi antenna is under age since there is drilling and the use of a soldering iron..

References

• Turnpoint.net: How To Build A Tin Can Waveguide Wi-Fi Antenna

Resources

• LAPTOP: All About Wireless Networking