The wifi antenna is quickly becoming a fixture in many homes as entertainment becomes digital. Although you can buy antennas anywhere, you can make one too. However, you will need to get specific parts to make it work.
It isn’t difficult to make a homemade wifi antenna. But it is the quality of the parts that determine how well it performs. The best types of antennas are the biquad variants. They have an 11 dBi gain and mid-sized beam width.
The Dish
For any antenna to work, it must have a reflector of some kind. There are many types of solid dishes available. These are much better than the wire-grid antennas some net providers give. The solid dishes also lessen the odds of getting outside interference.
Reflectors
This can be constructed from a thin sheet of copper, aluminum or a printed circuit board (PCB). No matter which one you use, polish the surface well prior to utilizing it with steal wool. The lips have to be 33 mm high at least and the dimensions 123 X 123 mm.
When fully built, a copper pipe with a coaxial connection should be in its center. The element will be connected to the pipe’s side oriented towards the dish.
What are the Elements?
This is composed of a 1.2 mm in diameter copper wire shaped into a double-diamond. The sides have to be 30.5 mm long. This is a quarter of the 2.4 GHz wavelength that will be obtained. You just have to slice a wire 244 mm long. Shape the sides into 90 degrees to the first bend. You will end up with a W. Keep folding until you get the double diamond.
Other Components and Parts
To make your antenna, a 1/2″ copper pipe sliced to 50 mm will be needed. This is sent through the reflector and will hold the coaxial connection. An N connector and 300 mm coaxial cable is also required. You can get these in most hardware stores.
wireless router antenna Upgrade
This one is really easy. Ready a newspaper sheet to protect your workspace. Get a soda can and open the top. Pour the contents in the sink if isn’t empty already. Remove the can’s top and place it on the newspaper. Clean the can with soap and water. Dry it with a towel. Put the can back on the newspaper.
The side facing up should be the open end. Drill a hole four inches from the can’s bottom. Drill at the side. Put the router antenna in the hole you made. Point the can’s open end in the wifi transmitter. The signal should improve considerably.