As I have mentioned I have become interested in antennas with which to received WiFi signals. A while back I posted a photo of my kitchen sieve antenna that slightly improved my reception of the signal from my apartment building owner’s wireless internet router three floors above my apartment.
A few days ago I mentioned that I had decided to build a Double Biquad antenna and that I had been scouring the City for some copper sheet to serves as an antenna reflector. I was inspired in my antenna plans by the information on this web page and this page.
Alas, I have failed in my search for sheet copper and have had to settle for an aluminum kitchen pan for a reflector, despite the corrosion problems associated with joining aluminum and copper.
I drilled a hole in the center of the pan and inserted a 1/2″ male copper plumbing fitting, which I soldered to the pan. Inserted in the male plumbing fitting is a short length of copper pipe to which I will solder the “biquad” element as soon as I receive the coaxial cable I ordered.
At the rear of the pan I will attach a female 1/2″ copper plumbing fitting, to which I will attach a yet to be designed system for attaching the antenna to some structure on the roof, assuming that my landlord doesn’t object. Having shown him my kitchen sieve antenna, I’m sure he believes, correctly I admit, that I am a bit
of a whacko.
Further reports and photos will follow.
2 Comments
November 22, 2007 at 11:51 am
What eventually happened to your home-made antenna?
November 22, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Hey Sriam,
Thanks for looking in.
The homemade antenna was pretty crude but did boost my reception. I have since made a biquad antenna, though have not yet tested it.
My landlords DSL service has been pretty unreliable so I have decided to continue my service from the local cable company.
Once I am able to test the biquad I will post a report.