Comments on: Ikea strainer turned into super Wi-Fi antenna http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/06/22/ikea-strainer-turned-into-super-wi-fi-antenna/ Gadgets, gear and computer hardware. Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:41:48 -0500 hourly 1 By: buccscott http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/06/22/ikea-strainer-turned-into-super-wi-fi-antenna/comment-page-1/#comment-1067078 buccscott Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:13:56 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=96663#comment-1067078 I have a similar set up. I am a radio engineer by profession and the only item I would change is the placement of his receiver. Each strainer is different in depth and diameter. Much better results can be achieved by finding the focal point of the parabolic. This is the single point where all signals entering the dish are reflected to. I think I have the EXACT same strainer in use and the focal point is at about 1" from the "bottom" of the strainer. So, it should be poking through the back of the strainer with the usb about half in and half out of the wire mesh. There is a simple formula to find it. Good luck to all! I have a similar set up. I am a radio engineer by profession and the only item I would change is the placement of his receiver. Each strainer is different in depth and diameter. Much better results can be achieved by finding the focal point of the parabolic. This is the single point where all signals entering the dish are reflected to. I think I have the EXACT same strainer in use and the focal point is at about 1″ from the “bottom” of the strainer. So, it should be poking through the back of the strainer with the usb about half in and half out of the wire mesh. There is a simple formula to find it. Good luck to all!

]]> By: Chris Taylor http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/06/22/ikea-strainer-turned-into-super-wi-fi-antenna/comment-page-1/#comment-1044677 Chris Taylor Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:27:32 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=96663#comment-1044677 The problem is you need a way to LINK the antennae to your wifi card. in theory you could do this with your internet card but you would need to pull apart your laptop. there are 2 antennae's in your laptop main and aux that use little connectors. you should be able to directly access this card (panel on the bottom or under the keyboard) you can buy antennae's on ebay for a few dollars. in theory get one cut off the antennae hook the wires to your new external antennae and connect this to the AUX port of your built in wireless card. it might work :-) The problem is you need a way to LINK the antennae to your wifi card. in theory you could do this with your internet card but you would need to pull apart your laptop.

there are 2 antennae’s in your laptop main and aux that use little connectors. you should be able to directly access this card (panel on the bottom or under the keyboard) you can buy antennae’s on ebay for a few dollars.

in theory get one cut off the antennae hook the wires to your new external antennae and connect this to the AUX port of your built in wireless card.

it might work :-)

]]> By: <fb:name linked="false" useyou="false" uid="7300289">Farhad Merchant</fb:name> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/06/22/ikea-strainer-turned-into-super-wi-fi-antenna/comment-page-1/#comment-1042539 Farhad Merchant Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:53:19 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=96663#comment-1042539 I don't get it...does this only work if you have an external wifi card? Any way to boost signal if my wifi card is built into my laptop? I don’t get it…does this only work if you have an external wifi card? Any way to boost signal if my wifi card is built into my laptop?

]]> By: Marcelo http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/06/22/ikea-strainer-turned-into-super-wi-fi-antenna/comment-page-1/#comment-1042377 Marcelo Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:19:23 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=96663#comment-1042377 The concept is not new. See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WokFi and Kiwi Stan Swan's site, where the whole WokFi thing sparked: http://www.usbwifi.orconhosting.net.nz/ And it works! The concept is not new.
See here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WokFi

and Kiwi Stan Swan’s site, where the whole WokFi thing sparked:
http://www.usbwifi.orconhosting.net.nz/

And it works!

]]> By: Dan http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/06/22/ikea-strainer-turned-into-super-wi-fi-antenna/comment-page-1/#comment-1042203 Dan Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:47:34 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=96663#comment-1042203 I'm in the middle of constructing one now, but I could only find a rusty strainer in the kitchen. Should work but it looks like it came from the same place Frankenstein was created. I’m in the middle of constructing one now, but I could only find a rusty strainer in the kitchen. Should work but it looks like it came from the same place Frankenstein was created.

]]> By: <fb:name linked="false" useyou="false" uid="778767344">Nico Thom</fb:name> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/06/22/ikea-strainer-turned-into-super-wi-fi-antenna/comment-page-1/#comment-1042022 Nico Thom Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:54:57 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=96663#comment-1042022 thanks for the reference to the Simpsons :) thanks for the reference to the Simpsons :)

]]> By: Screen Sleuth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/06/22/ikea-strainer-turned-into-super-wi-fi-antenna/comment-page-1/#comment-1042013 Screen Sleuth Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:33:41 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=96663#comment-1042013 That's...ingenutity? Sorta desperate too, but hey, necessity is the mother of invention sometimes. That’s…ingenutity? Sorta desperate too, but hey, necessity is the mother of invention sometimes.

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