DIY WiFi Receiving Antenna

Empty The Can

• Buy a 42 oz. can of juice in a 4.25 diameter can, drink or pour out the juice, and remove the top end of the can.
  
  

Wiring the Can

• The objective with a 'cantenna' is to create a one-quarter wavelength receptor. The premise is to restate the 2.4Ghz frequency between the limits of 802.11b and 802.11g Wi-Fi frequencies as decimal measurements. This yields two exact measurements between the 802.11b and 802.11g frequencies.
  
  Measure 1.625 inches up from the solid end of the juice can side for the point of connector placement. Drill or file the opening large enough to insert the N-connector. Cut a wire one inch long, and solder it to the solder-end of the N-connector. Insert the assembled N-connector into the can interior.
  
  The small wire serves as the actual antenna inside the can. Assembled, the connector is secured with either an inside bolt or four exterior screws, depending on the type of n-connector used. The total length must be as close as possible to 1.21 inches into the can. The wire and connector when installed are perpendicular to the side of the can.
  
  

The Cable to the Computer

• Most cantenna designs use a coaxial cable to make the final connection to the computer. However, youtube.com web series Amateur Logic converts a wireless USB router into the design to use the more robust USB connection instead of coaxial cable. USB cable has the advantage of being as long as 16 feet without any signal degradation; coaxial cable loses signal strength beyond six feet.
  
  The Amateur Logic conversion to USB also eliminated the need for a dedicated WiFi card for the computer. Instead, any USB input serves as the connection point for the computer.
  
  

Directing Your Cantenna

• Position the cantenna as directly at your hotspot source as possible, since radio waves are highly directional.