April 04, 2005

$5 WiFi Antenna

Don't have the money for a WiFi antenna? This site offers a way to make your own using a tin can for the cost of a measly $5. Not a bad hack.

You're looking for a can between about 3" and 3 2/3" in diameter. The size doesn't have to be exact. I made a good antenna with a Nalley's "Big Chunk" Beef Stew can that was 3.87" in diameter. Others have reported good results with big 39oz. coffee cans that are 6" in diameter. The pringles can is really too small for good performance, however. Try to get as long a can as possible. The old fashioned fruit juice cans should work well.