How to Make a Wi-Fi USB Antenna

An exellent source for a homemade Wi-Fi antenna.

An excellent Wi-Fi antenna can be fashioned from three common elements: a wire mesh strainer, a USB Wi-Fi adapter and a USB connecting cable. These items joined together can significantly enhance the Wi-Fi range of a desktop computer or laptop and be a means to free Internet access with a minimum of work or expense. Making a do-it-yoursef Wi-Fi USB antenna is a means to reach public access spots, especially with the recent addition of fast-food restaurants to the list of public Wi-Fi locations.

Things You'll Need

• Wire mesh strainer
• Metal cutters
• USB Wi-Fi adapter
• USB cable
• Broom handle
• Silicone caulk

Instructions

1. Grasp a large wire strainer. Cut a hole in the center of the mesh large enough for a plastic-encased Wi-Fi adapter to fit through.

2. Grasp a USB wireless adapter of either g or n speed. Insert the adapter about halfway into the cutout in the wire mesh strainer. The pieces can be further secured with silicone caulk, if desired.

3. Connect a USB cable to the USB Wi-Fi adapter.

4. Position the antenna in the direction of known public-access hot spots. Line-of-sight (LOS) is important for Wi-Fi connections because radio waves are directional.

5. Plug the USB "A" cable end into any available USB port on a computer or laptop.

6. Install the USB Wi-Fi drivers. A software CD is part of every new USB Wi-Fi package. Both Mac and Windows operating systems will find new hardware automatically.

7. Connect to an expanded number of available Wi-Fi public-access points.

Tips & Warnings

• The length of the handle can easily be extended by attaching a wooden broom handle to the handle of the strainer.

References

• Binarywolf: Extending Your Wi-Fi Signal
• Orconhosting: USB Chinese Strainer Wi-Fi Antenna

Resources

• Gizmodo: Wi-Fi Extension for Macs
• McDonald's: Free_Wi-Fi Hotspot Locator