How to boost your WiFi signal with a beer can (with Photos! you boozehounds)

the chive ^ | Septe 11, 2011 | chiv

[max americana]

Disclaimer: don't blame me if you happen to stab yourself while boozing. And don't just place a can of Schlitz on the router because you are too lazy to cut open a beer can. Happy wifi!

[RockinRight]

Redneck WiFi?

If your wireless router says “Budweiser” on it...you might be a redneck.

[Texas Fossil]

Nice simple concept.

They gave no guidance about the shape of the reflector and it seems a little arbitrary to use the pop-top hole for spacing. Should be a 1/4 wave length from reflector where the antenna goes through the lid of the can.

Great idea, wonder if it was one of my Ham friends who thought this up. The old ones are still cheap and this looks like something they would do. hee hee hee

[NoLibZone]

For better reception where ever you are:

[GOPJ]

This is a good one!

[Revolting cat!]

Are longboys like Busch’s (taller) preferable to Foster’s (wider)?

With the former, if it don’t work, you could always say:

Busch’s Fault!

[BreezyDog]

I've got one of these. Note that it doesn't have a standard antenna. Also note that it is supposed to have better range than my old one with 3 antennas. IT DOESN'T!

[gaijin]

Naw..! Pringles Can, bro..!

Coffee can, too..! I’m serious.

[jpsb]

Hmmm, I might try this a little later.

[Obadiah]

Except, the trouble is that most routers now have internal antennas.

[max americana]

get the Foster’s can, the thing looks wide.

[Prospero]

I think just resting on the chassis this rig would improve signal to noise ratio by scattering.

[max americana]

I’ve been using the (bow’s head)...Pabst.

[JoeProBono]

[KarlInOhio]

Foster's: Australian for even longer range WiFi.

[NoLibZone]

This Works:D-Link ANT24-0700 2.4GHz Omni-Directional 7dBi Indoor Antenna

[Robert A Cook PE]

My beer can does not have a red line.

[anymouse]

The wonders of electromagnetic wave physics. An approximation of a stretched parabola reflector dish. Works best if antenna is positioned in the focus of the parabola.

I genned up a redneck directional parabolic dish to boost my WiFi antenna using aluminum foil taped to the back side of an old umbrella. Used rubber band to hold antenna to umbrella pole in approximate focal area. It actually boosted the signal significantly, but very tricky to figure out optimum direction if you don’t know where the WiFi signal is coming from with multiple sources.

[rightwingcrazy]

I think it becomes visible after about the 12th can.

[max americana]

the umbrella could be held with only rubber band to the router?