If you are geeky enough and want to extend your wireless network range, but don’t want to buy a proper antenna, then this hack is for you. BinaryWolf.com developed a DIY antenna by using a empty Pringles can (Yes, you have to finish your chip first), and called it Pringles Cantenna:
… When I taught a college class in Network Analysis and Design, I decided it would be both fun and educational to revisit the pringles cantenna, a directional 2.4 Ghz wireless network yagi antenna, with a collector rod assembly, compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g wireless networks. My first 2.4GHz cantenna “homebrew” experiment (click on the thumbnail images below) was way back in September 2001 (recorded in cinema verite style as a short digital movie — currently offline) at the first San Diego “wireless install fest”. The design was based on Rob Flickenger’s pringles cantenna article. Time Magazine published an article, The Pringles Solution, close to a year later. A follow up experiment uses a larger diameter coffee can that is more of a microwave waveguide (a type of radio frequency, or RF, transmission path) style of antenna…
Would love to see if anyone up for hacking a antenna!
Do-It-Yourself Wi-Fi Antenna Update: extend your wi-fi using Pringles Cantenna – [BinaryWolf.com]
Reference:
Wireless Hacks – [O’Reilly]
Update: Added Wireless Hacks as reference book. Thanks Brian!
