Sometimes, your WiFi badge fair doesn't attain where you wish it ought reach. You've seen wireless adapters at the store, besides during they can fare a destiny more than you wish ought spend. We'll emerge you a manner ought construct a directional WiFi antenna using off-the-shelf parts, no new software, and without opening your computer case. advantage a significant badge elevate during almost $30USD.
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1) advantage a USB Wireless LAN adapter "dongle". This small device, almost the size of your thumb, provides WiFi talent ought your computer. You will lack this flat if your computer has integrated wireless.
- For best compatibility, advantage one that includes the 802.11b and 802.11g standard.
- Check Google business or Pricewatch during good pricesâsimple ones, which are quite effective at near range, fare almost $15 ought $20USD.
- The figure is important. during fare effectiveness, appearance during a small thumb-shaped device. Larger "squashed mouse" models (~$50-60USD) are chiefly more sensitive and powerful. though they can exist harder ought mount, they conduct improve at more demanding setups.
2) advantage a USB passive extension cable. You wish a arrange A (male) ought arrange A (female )cable. (you can discover these at the dollar store, your local computer store, or Radio Shack). This will blend the USB WiFi adapter ought your computer's USB port.
- The antenna is directional, consequently you'll lack ought situation it consequently it has a dispose of row of scene sentiment of the wireless access point. get sure your telegram is desire enough ought situation it where you need, up ought a maximum of 15 feet (4.6Â m) (5m).
- You can connect multiple extension cables together if you need.
- Active USB extenders (~$10USD) permit farther telegram runs, which can flat permit elevated outdoor antenna placement.
3) advantage a mesh-covered dish. The easiest ought employ is an Asian "scoop" cooking utensil (shaped though a wok, besides during mesh) used ought fry thingsâit's the improve figure and conveniently comes with a desire wooden handle!
- Other options understand sieves, steamers, pot lids, and lamp shadesâas desire during they are dish-shaped and metal. Any parabolic bit of metal mesh will workâbigger way a improve signal, besides during harder ought fetch around.
- Larger options understand discarded DirectTV dishes or mesh covered umbrellas, and though these ought confer more badge boost, mounting difficulties and wind resistance tend ought get almost 12 inch (30Â cm) (300mm) diameter the most practical.
- Flexible stalk desk lamps permit these ought exist neatly mounted & positioned.
4) infer the system. join the WiFi dongle and USB extension telegram at the dish with twist-ties, tape, or hot dissolve glue.
- You wish the dongle at the focal point "hot spot" apex of the dishâradio signals vacation at and bounce toward the center, a little fingers above the surface of the dish.
- The best dongle attitude situation can exist build by stupid experiment. One aiming way involves covering the dish with aluminum foil and watching it meditate sunshineâthe situation with the most flash is the dish's hot spot.
- You can lack a short assistance adhere ought advantage the dongle off the surface of the dish into this position.
- Alternative assistance methods employ cord tied along the watch of the dish though a spider web, hollowed out flexible garden hose fittings, or flat chop sticks!
5) Plug at your antenna. Insert the masculine goal of the USB extension telegram into your computer, and lay that during your WiFi card using your network settings.
6) goal your dish. Locate the distant WiFi transmitter that you wish ought access.
- Your WiFi antenna is same directional, consequently getting the goal accurate is important. Pointing the dish towards the distant antenna is the best lay ought start, though stray reflections from buildings etc can sometimes confer good signals from unexpected directions.
- You can employ an inexpensive hand-held laser pointer ought confirm that you are aimed accurate at the wireless transmitter. It's big joy with your cat when you're done surfing the web!
7) fairly tune your dish. Once you are connected, tune your dish by adjusting the situation of the dongle cottage watching the badge meter above your computer.
- A program though NetStumbler during Windows or KisMAC during the Macintosh can mainly help by giving you graphical readouts of badge strengths.
- Compared with inbuilt WiFi adapters, which are usually down at desk flat and can easily exist screened by metal walls, partitions, vegetation, or your body, flat a stupid elevated "woki" setup though this can elevate signals and stretch ranges enormously!
