The Stardom Magazine | Debut Issue 27
tape around the can to prevent the mast you
placed earlier from loosening with time.
D
oes your wifi signal strength drop
when you move to the next block from
the servers? Imagine you are in the
gardens with your laptop and would
like to go online but the signal strength is so pathetic. In this Article, Stardom teaches you how to
create a wifi boosting cantenna such that you can log
onto the wifi servers from
over 400m. A cantenna (mix
up of can+antenna), is a
small DIY directional antenna
that can boost wifi signal
strength from 5-22dbs in
most cases enabling you to
receive excellent wifi signal
strength from a distance.
Connect the other end of the USB extension cord
to your Laptop/PC and aim the Cantenna at the
source, adjusting it periodically such that it picks
the best signal. This should be much stronger than
the whip antenna you had before.
Tweak
To improve the signal even
more - much more - cut a 2
foot wide by 1 foot high sheet
of concrete lathing screen
with 1/4 inch or smaller holes
and curve it slightly to form a
parabolic dish, similar to a TV
satellite dish. Instead of
pointing the can at the signal
source, point it at your screen
which points at the signal so
the back of the can points at
It
a bit
Steps
A complete cantenna+ the signal.gettakescurve of adjusting to
the
of the
Drill a hole in the can
satellite dish
screen and distance to the
about 1/3 way up the curved
can exactly right. You can find
part of the can. Use a small nail and then thrust it formulas for calculating the exact focal point or
in and around.
use trial and error since you will see your signal
Widen the hole to fit the dongle. Use a small gain double or even triple when you get the curve
drill or a nail cutter blade and cut out a rectangu- and distance just right. You can then make a
lar hole to fit the size of the USB extension chord wooden or aluminum frame to hold everything
end. A good hole shall just fit the extension chord together in the right position. You can also use a
real satellite dish and place the cantenna at the
end such that it doesn’t loosely fall out.
end of the arm at the position the TV antennas
Connect the extension chord end into the hole (the horn) usually go
from the outside and insert the USB wifi dongle
from the inside. Make sure that the connection is If you encounter any problems along the way
firm. You may consider using some gum to tighten don’t hesitate to perform a Google search on
“troubleshooting cantennas”
it.
Attach the wooden rod on to the can base and
tie it up with mast tape. Add some more mast