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    Wifi Antenna - I did it

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by sutheep, Mar 13, 2006.

  1. sutheep

    sutheep Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    The best thing i ever did. The wifi antenna, now i hve wireless alll over my house. Those who have been grumbling about their signal try this. took me an hour to do it.
    http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template/

    just adjust the size of it make sure the square stays a square.
    and what i did was i print 2 copies, put 1 on the the cardboard and chopped do the same w/ the other. then make a small rectangle cardboard to hold them together. and then use brown paper covered in foil for the back. attached pic..

    PS> sorry for the ****py pictures.. and the hideous look, but it works awesome. i used to get -70db to -60db in myroom next to the router. Now i get as high as -30db to -20db. imagine that!!!
     

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    sutheep, Mar 13, 2006
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  2. Chutsman

    Chutsman Notebook Evangelist

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    Nice going Sutheep. What size foil did you use and what make is your wireless router?
     
    Chutsman, Mar 13, 2006
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  3. BudgetKid

    BudgetKid Notebook Geek

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    * Cancel My Account Please *
     
    BudgetKid, Mar 13, 2006
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  4. lmychajluk

    lmychajluk Notebook Evangelist

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    Laptops with built in WiFi usually have pretty good antennas (better than PC cards, anyway). If you're using a PC card, see if it supports an external antenna first.
     
    lmychajluk, Mar 13, 2006
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  5. sutheep

    sutheep Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    Just normal cardboard, covered in alumnium foil. my router is a Zyxel Prestige 660HW-61. My router is on the 2nd floor of the house. I can recive signal on the first floor all around the house w/ at least -70db - -60db. huge improvements :p

    budgetkid, there's an antenna for the laptops as well, do a google search, you'll find it.
     
    sutheep, Mar 13, 2006
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  6. Chutsman

    Chutsman Notebook Evangelist

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    Sutheep, based on your astounding success, I decided to make the reflector (two) for my daughter's Linksys wireless router. However I can't say I see much of a difference. Maybe just a teensy weensy :) bit, but wasn't worth the effort.

    BudgetKid, for around $25 to $35 you can get a better pcmcia wireless adapter or a usb wireless adapter (the kind with a cord, not the one that is like a flash drive that plugs directly into the port). I can recommend the Orinoco Gold which has an internal antenna as well as a connector for an external one. Or go for the high power (200mW) EnGenius. Then there is the ParkerVision Signal Max. I have used all three. The EnGenius is my favorite one. Google for them for more info.

    For the USB kind, I use a Belkin F5D6050 which actually went up in price since I got mine about a year ago. It is small enough to fit in a shirt pocket.
     
    Chutsman, Mar 13, 2006
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  7. Shampoo

    Shampoo Notebook Deity

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    Wow great modding~!

    Maybe a little later when you have time you could customize your antenna addon. Make it look nicer somehow. I dunno.

    :D

    Great job~!
    Mike
     
    Shampoo, Mar 13, 2006
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  8. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Very nice, ill try it myself and see how it all goes.
     
    nickspohn, Mar 13, 2006
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  9. BudgetKid

    BudgetKid Notebook Geek

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    BudgetKid, Mar 13, 2006
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  10. BudgetKid

    BudgetKid Notebook Geek

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    BudgetKid, Mar 13, 2006
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  11. sutheep

    sutheep Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    Chutsman, did you try moving it around what did you use to measure the signal? I use netstumbler, it does show improvements, major. try moving the "dish" around
     
    sutheep, Mar 13, 2006
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  12. Chutsman

    Chutsman Notebook Evangelist

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    Well, where the router is, there is not much room to move it around - cables too short. The most I can do is rotate the reflectors, which I have done. Still I'm not going to fuss with it. I get a pretty good signal in my bedroom anyway, with or without it.

    I measured the signal with the software that came with the built-in wireless adapter. It's a RaLink. The signal strength varies between 55% and 65%.
     
    Chutsman, Mar 14, 2006
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  13. sutheep

    sutheep Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    sutheep, Mar 14, 2006
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