Posted on 09/11/2011 7:55:24 PM PDT by max americana
I love a good hack, especially one that requires me to throw back a cold one before hand (or during). This simple wifi boost has actually been shown to increase signal strength by at least 2 to 4 bars. And, well, I will drink to that.
These instructions came to me via The Chive and i think they are most definitely worth checking out. But here is the most important question: what kind of beer will you use?
For this project you are going to need scissors, a utility knife, some adhesive putty and an empty beer can. More than one empty beer can is acceptable but don’t kid yourself, the router only needs the one.
The first step is to wash out your empty beer can, unless of course said beer is a can of Natural Light. If it is Naty Light, promptly go drink a better beer. You really should be ashamed of yourself.
Once the can has dried, you will want to remove it’s pull tab.
Only perform this next step if you have not been drinking. Using the utility knife, saw off the bottom of the can. Chances are your can will not have a red dotted line. If you see one, put down the knife…you’ve had too much beer.
You’ll notice in the above step that the can’s pull tab has returned. Clearly, there are only two possible reasons for this. One, you are really drunk and you never removed the tab in the first place. Or–the more likely answer–beer cans can regenerate themselves.
Redneck WiFi?
If your wireless router says “Budweiser” on it...you might be a redneck.
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
This is a good one!
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!
Naw..! Pringles Can, bro..!
Coffee can, too..! I’m serious.
Hmmm, I might try this a little later.
Except, the trouble is that most routers now have internal antennas.
get the Foster’s can, the thing looks wide.
I think just resting on the chassis this rig would improve signal to noise ratio by scattering.
I’ve been using the (bow’s head)...Pabst.
My beer can does not have a red line.
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.
I think it becomes visible after about the 12th can.
the umbrella could be held with only rubber band to the router?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.