How to Build a WiFi Dish Antenna
A parabolic reflector, such as that of a satellite dish, is well suited for focusing the beams of wireless energy being transmitted by a Wi-Fi home network. Building a Wi-Fi antenna that incorporates a dish will increase both the reception and sending capabilities. A few supplies from a hardware store and a hobby shop are needed, as are some tools most people have at home. A satellite dish must also be acquired--this can come from a satellite provider or from some electronics stores.
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Things You'll Need
- Satellite dish
- Empty coffee can, 28 oz
- Newspaper
- Utility knife
- Ruler
- N adapter plate
- Pigtail N adapter
- 16 gauge copper wire, 5 inches
- Soldering iron
- Solder
- Duct tape
- Wireless router
- Phillips screwdriver
Instructions
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1
Stand the empty coffee can on the table. Measure five inches up from the bottom. Cut a hole in the side of the can at the five inch mark with the blade of the utility knife.
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2
Place a sheet of newspaper on the table. Place the N adapter plate on the newspaper with the front end that has the female connection in its center facing up.
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3
Heat up the soldering iron for three minutes. Place an end of the copper wire into the female connection on the N adapter plate. Apply solder around the end of the copper wire that is in the female connection. Let the solder cool for two minutes. Unplug the soldering iron.
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4
Push the free end of the copper wire through the hole in the can. Tape the N adapter plate to the sides of the can with strips of duct tape. Plug the "N" cable attached to the Pigtail N adapter into the bottom connection on the N adapter plate.
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5
Unscrew the transponder module from the rod attached to the front of the dish with the Phillips screwdriver. Pull the transponder module off the end of the rod and dispose of it properly.
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6
Place the can against the top side of the rod with the open side facing the dish. Secure the can to the rod with strips of duct tape.
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7
Plug the other cable on the Pigtail N adapter into an antenna input of a wireless device, for example, a wireless router. Aim the front of the dish in the direction of the wireless devices that are going to take their Wi-Fi signal from the wireless router.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit dish image by Andrew Orlemann from Fotolia.com
