Homemade WiFi Lid Antenna.

Source: http://www.josepino.com/?howto_wifi_lid_antenna   Tags: hacks projects diy homemade computer howto

I did purchase a Hi-Gain WiFi antenna one year ago that gave me 14dB signal gain, but after a while, I decided to build my own as I saw it on http://www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz

Before I build my own, I tried to install an external antenna on my Linksys USB adaptor but the result was not good enough; I got only 4~6dB Gain. It wasn't too bad but I want more. I was looking for better signal even if I'm at the back room of the house where I get no signal at all.
Taken from http://www.josepino.com
As soon I got a perfectly round lid; $0.49 USD at the flea market, I was able to start my own "Wifi Lid Antenna".

First, I need to make some holes for the USB extension.

*** Warning: power tools are dangerous, always use safety googles, gloves, etc, etc. Do not build this project. This material is for educational purposes only. Read the disclaimer from the main page.

Installing the USB cable (extension)

Attaching the base:

Using some hot glue to fix the USB connector:

Using a tie to fix the USB cable... and the antenna is almost ready. The second photo shows the Linksys WUSB54GC USB adapter with a "homemade" external antenna.

Now, just one screw on the base [to be able to rotate the antenna] and it is almost ready.

Now my Homemade-hi-gain-lid-antenna is ready. I guess the signal is better close to the window.

[Don't ask me who was the idiot that put an Air conditioner at the kitchen window. This summer is really hot and I was not able to get a better location to install my AC.]

Now is time for some tests. Using only the USB adapter, with or without the external antenna, (not the lid), Windows XP doesn't detect any signal.

I did use NetStumbler to see how good is the signal that I get.

The A signal is using only the Linksys WUSB54GC USB adapter.

The B signal is using the WUSB54GC adapter with the external antenna.

The C signal is the WUSB54GC + the external antenna + lid antenna.

As you can see, using the lid, I was able to get about -13dB Gain, plus -4dB, I got more than -17dB gain! Not too bad.

I will post details how to install an external antenna on wireless devices later...

... maybe tomorrow. Sorry guys, My hard drive is broken and I lost lots of photos, including some the details of the external antenna were. However, Alejandro sent me a photo and I make some drawings how I did connect the external antenna. Gracias Alejandro!

Basically, I just put two short wires from the board to the antenna. If the signal doesn't improve, it can be connected to the connector below the capacitor (NOT below the LED). The capacitor is the little piece at the right side where the external antenna was connected.

08/03/09 - 04:43:43 Charlie from AUST wrote: whats the theory here? the lid reflects the signal to the antanna like a sat dish (and is the lid earthed?) or is the lid steel connected direct to the black ant thingy.  
08/03/09 - 07:15:17 José Pino wrote: In a few words, here is the theory:
The radio frequency signal is reflected by the metal, so the lid - as parabolic shape - concentrates the signal to a point: the center of the lid.  The lid is not connected to anything, not grounded in any way.
08/04/09 - 11:33:04 Khalil from US wrote: lol Josepino!
but thats a good job! <br>
its good but i wish my mom will make a project like your wifi antenna.<br>
08/06/09 - 00:02:34 Khalil from US wrote: i agree with you,Jose Pino And Charlie.
08/15/09 - 01:54:28 Fred from Phil wrote: What type of cable/wire, connector and ext antenna did you use for making the external antenna?
08/15/09 - 01:57:37 José Pino wrote: It's a USB extension.  It was included with my USB wifi.
08/29/09 - 22:37:47 boomer from home wrote: how far do you sit the antenna above the dish?
http://urbanwireless.info
08/29/09 - 23:00:20 José Pino wrote: Do you mean "inside the dish" instead of "above the dish"?
It depends how parabolic the dish is.  You need to calculate where is the focal point of the dish.
09/09/09 - 04:13:29 Mo from melbourne wrote: site displays OK in Puppy linux's SeaMonkey Browser.
Looks like a good project to see what's workable as a temporary or permanent extension of our existing wifi AP
09/09/09 - 04:19:27 José Pino wrote: Thank you for the information about the browser support Mo,  greatly appreciated.
10/06/09 - 12:37:40 boomer from home wrote: yes inside the dish...i found how to caculate the focal point
http://urbanwireless.info/index.php/antennas/dish-with-usb-feed?start=1
10/19/09 - 12:14:20 Beatriz Gallego from Valencia-Spain wrote: Hola, hace 4 años que estoy muy enferma por varias negligencias medicas y para que no se me haga dura la espera para la proxima cirugia estoy haciendo experimentos en casa. Quiero construir tu antena pero no entiendo lo del linksys wusb54gc usb adapter......¿como se coge la señal acustica y se mete en el PC? muchas gracias por tu tiempo, saludos, Beatriz

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