How Do I Make a Yagi USB Antenna?

Use an old coffee can as your antenna's receptor.

A Yagi antenna will increase the directionality and gain of your computer's internal antenna and allow you to locate and receive Wi-Fi signals and a greater range. The USB adapter allows you to easily plug this antenna into most computers. The Yagi antenna will work best using a smooth metal coffee can as the receptor, as ribbed cans can cause the signal to reflect within the can and scatter the signal, diminishing the effectiveness of the antenna.

Things You'll Need

• 44 oz. coffee can
• Hammer
• Nail
• N-connector
• 12-gauge solid wire
• Soldering iron
• Solder
• Coaxial to USB adapter
• USB cable

Instructions

1. Punch a hole into a used and cleaned 44 oz coffee can using the hammer and nail. Place the hole on the side of the can, 1 5/8 inches up from the closed end.

2. Enlarge the hole with a drill to fit the diameter of the N-connector.

3. Measure 1 1/4 inches of the solid 12-gauge wire and cut to length. Attach the wire to the solder end of the N-connector using the soldering gun.

4. Mount the N-connector to the coffee can by sliding the N-connector through the drilled hole from the inside. Connect the coaxial-to USB adapter to lock the N-connector into place.

5. Connect the USB cable to the coaxial-to-USB adapter and plug the other end into an open USB port on a computer.

6. Search for Wi-Fi hot spots by sweeping the antenna in various directions, keeping the antenna element within the can situated vertically, until you receive a signal.

References

• Binary Wolf: Coffee Can Wi-Fi Antenna
• Make: How To: Make a Simple Wi-Fi Yagi Antenna
• DX Zone: 43.33 Km LOS with USB Wi-Fi Stick