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Boost Your Wi-Fi Strength Using Cans

- By - Source : Tom's Guide US

This DIY scheme can boost your wireless router's signal.

Tech Radar has an interesting article on how to boost your Wi-Fi's performance by using a 100mm diameter can. The guide stems from this post which offers complete instructions and diagrams on how to set up this can-based WLAN booster. Enthusiasts will simply need ten tools to get this DIY project up and running including a chassis N socket, an RG58 reverse polarity SMA male connector, a soldering iron, a drill, and more.

"The key part is the can," the site explains. "Our measurements are based on a 100mm diameter one. Ideally, it needs to have smooth sides. We found paint tins are the best solution. We're making do with a potato tin here just for demonstration purposes."

Once a hole is drilled into the side of the can for the N Connector, the next step is to solder a piece of solid copper from 30A mains wiring or a brass nail onto the back of the N Connector. A custom SMA to N Plug cable is created in the next step, placing the SMA reverse polarity screw connection at one end and the N Plug at the other end.

The final "product" looks somewhat humorous, with the can mounted on top of a small tripod like an empty spotlight chassis. The N Connector with the copper/brass nail comes up through the bottom and is positioned in the middle of the can. Tech Radar said that this "device" actually works, boosting Wi-Fi scores to the low 80s, but increased to the 90s after lining the can with foil to emulate smooth sides.

To learn how to build your own, head here.

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dameon51 04/23/2010 9:08 PM
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-12+

This is awesome. I'd probably do it just for looks.

fazers_on_stun 04/23/2010 9:09 PM
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Hmm, wonder if the Seabess invented this, as it shows a "can do" attitude :D

djtronika 04/23/2010 9:09 PM
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pringles cans. this was done like 9 years ago.

borisof007 04/23/2010 9:11 PM
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Next up, how to boost your cell phone signal with tin foil hats.

lukeiamyourfather 04/23/2010 9:11 PM
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You forgot the best part, they are called cantennas.

NegativeX 04/23/2010 9:15 PM
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Holy crap, did we travel back in time?

schwiing 04/23/2010 9:26 PM
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This looks like technology made in the south =)

kingwaldo 04/23/2010 9:26 PM
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whats wrong with bringing such an idea back. There would be people which haven't seen this or have issues with there WiFi

MISRy 04/23/2010 9:30 PM
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A true cantenna is made with a Pringles can.

ravewulf 04/23/2010 9:35 PM
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I took a glad-ware bowl and lined it with tin foil. Instant parabolic dish.

megamanx00 04/23/2010 9:36 PM
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tipoo 04/23/2010 9:53 PM
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Using metal cans to boost Wi-Fi signals has been around since Wi-Fi went public, but thanks for the reminder. That looks odd though, it would only direct the signal forward. If your router is on a side of your house like mine is, you want it directed 180 degrees, so cut a can in half and place it behind the router instead of doing this.

shin0bi272 04/23/2010 10:03 PM
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*string not included

Igot1forya 04/23/2010 10:26 PM
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MISRy :
A true cantenna is made with a Pringles can.


Yep this has been used for years!

nekatreven 04/23/2010 10:31 PM
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schwiing :
This looks like technology made in the south =)



Yea that might be funny if it weren't for the fact that in the Dallas area alone we have either the headquarters of or at least major facilities for all kinds of folks like Texas Instruments, Raytheon, Bell Helicopter, Microsoft, Intel, Lockheed Martin, Nokia Siemens, Nortel (rip), and that is just off the top of my head.

I think a few of those are only administration offices but my point is you can't even pick up a calculator without owing us thanks; without even considering current tech. Sorry to rant but the south jokes stopped being funny a few decades ago.

thackstonns 04/23/2010 11:31 PM
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nekatreven :
Yea that might be funny if it weren't for the fact that in the Dallas area alone we have either the headquarters of or at least major facilities for all kinds of folks like Texas Instruments, Raytheon, Bell Helicopter, Microsoft, Intel, Lockheed Martin, Nokia Siemens, Nortel (rip), and that is just off the top of my head.I think a few of those are only administration offices but my point is you can't even pick up a calculator without owing us thanks; without even considering current tech. Sorry to rant but the south jokes stopped being funny a few decades ago.



Then quit sleeping with your sisters. Electricuting people, and buy some front teeth.

jurassic1024 04/23/2010 11:57 PM
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aaron686 04/24/2010 12:13 PM
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lol up the can to a metal barrel and you can have free internet anywhere you go :P

ravensharpless 04/24/2010 12:28 PM
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spectrewind 04/24/2010 1:11 AM
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lumpy 04/24/2010 1:27 AM
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Well Ive never heard of it ...so there.

kingnoobe 04/24/2010 1:52 AM
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spoofedpacket 04/24/2010 3:20 AM
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Curnel_D :
Oh, you mean the DIY 'cantenna' that's been around for YEARS? Seriously, this project is like 10+ years old. Here's a company who commercialized the idea.http://www.cantenna.com/



Yup, and the reason the commercial can antenna has been such a success is because it actually gives a 13db boost. Most coffee can projects will likely result far less since you only have to be off by a centimeter or less and completely ruin any gains.

kingnoobe :
Hey spec. I'd kindly advice you to look at o damn near all the post above yours. DO you think yours was needed? DO you think somehow you're special? You do realize you pretty much did the same thing. Thus making you an idiot also. So what it's been around. That doesn't mean everybody else has been around this might be news to some people. AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE ARTICLE DON'T READ IT MORONS!



Do we need to invest into a bottle of warm milk for the both of you? One person bitches and other people are going to bitch about the bitching. Now I'm bitching about the bitching about the bitching. We are productive people.

jhansonxi 04/24/2010 3:33 AM
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WokFI antennas made from woks can have better performance than cantennas as there is less cable loss.

liquid0h 04/24/2010 3:53 AM
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thackstonns :
Then quit sleeping with your sisters. Electricuting people, and buy some front teeth.


Sleeping with sisters? Are you getting us confused with Arkansas?

dotaloc 04/24/2010 4:00 AM
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schwiing :
This looks like technology made in the south =)



i'm from the south. ^^ wasn't funny, but if you can't laugh about gross generalizations and stereotypes -- whether they are ridiculous or entirely true(fine, statistically probable -- or prepositionally representative), then you can't make fun of others; then you are really missing out!

to be honest, i took the 'jab' as a compliment. i like diy and i like creative solutions. *shrugs*

Honis 04/24/2010 4:00 AM
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Here you go Kevin. Fresh article material for the next year or ten.

http://www.wikihow.com/Category:Co [...] lectronics

dotaloc 04/24/2010 4:09 AM
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[citation]Then quit sleeping with your sisters. Electricuting people, and buy some front teeth.[/citation]

I love this. He can poke fun, but can't compose a moderately accurate sentence while insulting the intelligence (maybe just actions) of others.

THIS STUFF is what comment sections are made for!

I've been coding too much:


^^wonder how much of that'll make it through the filters?

Anonymous 04/24/2010 4:21 AM
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ROFL. These comments rock. Hope they stay up because they actually made the article worthwhile.

Marco925 04/24/2010 4:20 AM
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We had a bunch of these at my computer store,

We called them cantennas

nukemaster 04/24/2010 1:11 PM
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Curnel_D :
Oh, you mean the DIY 'cantenna' that's been around for YEARS? Seriously, this project is like 10+ years old. Here's a company who commercialized the idea.http://www.cantenna.com/


+99999
same thing i thought when i saw this.