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

the chive ^ | Septe 11, 2011 | chiv

[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.

[max americana]

you’ll start seeing the red line right after the 6th beer can..use a Bowie knife instead of scissors.

[Mount Athos]

I have no doubt that this works, I have had good success doing a similar setup with ordinary foil and backing.

I bet a lot of people are going to cut themselves doing this to the can though

[the invisib1e hand]

better have plenty of needle and thread handy. you’re gonna need stitches.

[anymouse]

Not to router, to the WiFi receiver antenna connected to my computer.

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

Ping for later... see if I can get away with not replacing my router.

[Bean Counter]

Outstanding stuff...amazing what you can do with a tin can.

When I was a kid, my Dad was a CB radio nut, and he kept a large “Charles Chips” potato chip can near the desk with his radio gear, and when he wanted an echo effect, he would point his boom mike into that big metal can, and then howl into it to get the damnedest tinny echo sound...

My Grandfather was a CB radio nut too, and since he lived all of 15 miles away he was in a perfect place to give my Dad advice on how he sounded on the air. He’d turn his beam antenna to aim it at my Dad, listen to him on the radio and then call him on the phone to give him advice on how to improve it. I remember trying to get to sleep as a kid and listening to the Old Man howling at South Africa and sounding like Goulardi with that weird echo.....

KMK 4071...”The Voice of the Eagle” in Northwest Ohio...

[krb]

The Most Interesting Man In the World can make that crap work with a glass bottle, too.

[barstoolblues]

Paging Mr. McGyver, to the red phone.

Mr. McGyver to the red phone.

Your assistance is needed in aisle 12.

[barstoolblues]

Paging Mr. McGyver, to the red phone.

Mr. McGyver to the red phone.

Your assistance is needed in aisle 12.

[Danae]

ROTFLMAO¡!!!!!!!¡

[Republic_of_Secession.]

That’s because you did not drink enough of it as per the aforementioned warning.

[HHFi]

Wonder if it’ll work on the antenna for my wireless speaker system that gets a little fuzzy in the far reaches of the house.

[uptoolate]

“Hey Jim, apparently Hector was joking when he said, “Shake the can well before popping the top for an extra “experience”.”

[crazyhorse691]

A rednecks attempts to make a homemade antenna;
1st try-following directions cuts were made to can with ergonomic utility knife...beer spurted everywhere.
2nd try- same results as 1st try.
3rd try-reread instructions and it said use empty can. I emptied 6 cans as quickly as possible, chug a lug, because I wanted a first rate antenna.
4th try-my ergonomic utility knife malfunctioned and cut my hand. Emptied 4 more cans while waiting for bleeding to stop.
5th try-running low on cans so I drove down to the local AMPM and picked up a couple more six pack of antennas. Bleeding hadn't stopped so I emptied a few more cans.
6th try- using hacksaw because of defective utility knife I made an antenna. Emptied a few more cans in celebration. I don't think the antenna works...wonder if I need to hook it up to something. I will think that out as I empty rest of the cans to help me think better.
final note-the arresting officer at the AMPM that my truck crashed into explained that I needed a computer first...that cousin Floyd has always been smart like that. But, how smart can he be as he left me sitting in the front seat of his patrol car which just happens to have a computer in plain sight. Guess I had better go get a couple of more sixpacks from the AMPM while I walk home and hook up this here computer. I will let you know tomorrow how this scientific endeavor turns out.

[JerseyHighlander]

The DIY WiFi antenna bodger codex

http://www.usbwifi.orconhosting.net.nz/

[ShadowAce]

[ShadowAce]

[raybbr]

Why? I get WiFi all over my yard and house with my existing router. I can go up to a hundred feet away and get it.

Maybe the guy who did this doesn't know that he can access his router and set the strength level.

[mewzilla]

The Big Mew thinks it best to try a variety of different cans to ensure optimum performance.

[mewzilla]

Or maybe he just likes beer :-)