How to Make an Antenna With an Aluminum Can

The humble soda can is able to act as a high gain antenna with very few modifications.

Old aluminum cans may be looked on as garbage to many people, or at best, a potential five cent deposit when returned to the grocery store. There are other uses that these simple and cheap cans can be put to though, including making an effective antenna for your Wi-Fi router. An aluminum can antenna will not boost your signal, but it can aim your signal towards a desired area, thus boosting the signal strength in that location.

Things You'll Need

• Soda can
• Box cutters
• Duct tape
• Wi-Fi router
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Poke a hole near the top of the can with the box cutter. Push one end of the scissors in the hole, cut around the top of the can so that the top is completely removed.

2. Wash the can out with water, dry with a towel. Be cautious around the sharp edge when drying.

3. Poke another hole about one inch away from the bottom of the can, using the box cutters. Use the scissors to cut the hole out larger so that it is approximately two inches square.

4. Pull off some duct tape, place it over the sharp edges at the top of the can and the opening at the bottom.

5. Place the can over the Wi-Fi router so that the antenna sticks into the hole near the base. Aim the open end of the can towards your objects with wireless antennas.

References

• Northrup, Tony: How to Improve your Wireless Network and Boost its Signal
• Metacafe: How to Make a Wi-Fi Antenna Out of a Soda Can