Anyone here ever build a "cantenna"?

[bigfoot_hunter]

I've seen a lot of diy sites for one of these. However, most neglect the part where it goes into your computer. I would use this on my laptop (built in wifi card). One site recomended buying a usb wifi dongle. How do you connect the cable to it? Just wrapping it around it with tape or something? They have lots of numbers and charts but are painfully vague in this area. Anyone fool with these contraptions?

[dredfox]

Now you've got me started! This is one of my favorite hobbies.

With a laptop typically the wi-fi card is a removable component that plugs into the motherboard like a RAM chip. On that card there are two small snaps to connect the antenna wires. The wires are usually routed through the laptop in some insane path until they reach the monitor. The ends in the monitor are glued or screwed in place with metal pieces the size of a razor blade.


The antenna snaps are just beside the two screw holes on the left.

You can disconnect those wires from the wi-fi card and connect your own replacements. You may need to drill small holes in the plastic card cover to run the wires through. You could also open the monitor casing, unsolder the metal clips and extend the wires out from there. Those wires are hard to find for sale online. You may have to make your own. If you find a supplier, please let me know.

Option two is to purchase a USB wi-fi adapter and a USB extension cord. Just treat the whole adapter as an antenna and place it in a wave guide. Wave guides aren't as effective as cantenna, but they can turn a weak signal into a usuable one.

[bigfoot_hunter]

Ok, I was alittle confused. I see the antenna type and usb dongle are different things. I might try a usb adapter and cord attached to an old sat dish. I'll let you know how it goes.

[dredfox]

http://www.alfa.com.tw/in/front/bin/ptd ... ory=105463

This item may prove useful.

There is one on sale right now. http://www.1saleaday.com/