My homebrew dongle reflector antenna extends laptop range, but...

After seeing the freeantennas for wireless Internet to extend the
router's range, I tried a quick and dirty homebrew reflector using an
auto oil funnel (soft cardboaard) and affixing half of its side with
foil aluminum. Well, my marginal signal (was almost non-existent at
night, for some reason) is now "Very Good" according to the [usually
overly optimistic] X-Micro's 11b software.

However, I noticed that the angle and placement of the reflector and
the USB dongle (hope that's the right term for the transmitter on the
laptop) is very critical. Off by one inch, and there is no signal.

If there is a contest for making the most practical, cheapest dongle
antenna, this is my entry. The advantage of a soft cup is its
flexibility, portability. I am going to cancel my thoughts of buying a
ready-made antenna.

OK. for your contest for "making the most practical, cheapest dongle
antenna"
this is my entry, my tin cantenna:
http://members.cox.net/tulsaalstons/...Adapter%20.htm
--
Bob Alston

bobalston9 AT aol DOT com
"Jack Blake" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> After seeing the freeantennas for wireless Internet to extend the
> router's range, I tried a quick and dirty homebrew reflector using an
> auto oil funnel (soft cardboaard) and affixing half of its side with
> foil aluminum. Well, my marginal signal (was almost non-existent at
> night, for some reason) is now "Very Good" according to the [usually
> overly optimistic] X-Micro's 11b software.
>
> However, I noticed that the angle and placement of the reflector and
> the USB dongle (hope that's the right term for the transmitter on the
> laptop) is very critical. Off by one inch, and there is no signal.
>
> If there is a contest for making the most practical, cheapest dongle
> antenna, this is my entry. The advantage of a soft cup is its
> flexibility, portability. I am going to cancel my thoughts of buying a
> ready-made antenna.


---
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Alston's cantenna requires a USB extension cable while Smogkiller's
simply covers the dongle on the laptop. The cantenna may get more
range because it can be positioned better.


"Bob Alston" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:<tH5dd.91113$Lo6.13079@fed1read03>...
> OK. for your contest for "making the most practical, cheapest dongle
> antenna"
> this is my entry, my tin cantenna:
> http://members.cox.net/tulsaalstons/...Adapter%20.htm
> --
> Bob Alston
>
> bobalston9 AT aol DOT com
> "Jack Blake" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> > After seeing the freeantennas for wireless Internet to extend the
> > router's range, I tried a quick and dirty homebrew reflector using an
> > auto oil funnel (soft cardboaard) and affixing half of its side with
> > foil aluminum. Well, my marginal signal (was almost non-existent at
> > night, for some reason) is now "Very Good" according to the [usually
> > overly optimistic] X-Micro's 11b software.
> >
> > However, I noticed that the angle and placement of the reflector and
> > the USB dongle (hope that's the right term for the transmitter on the
> > laptop) is very critical. Off by one inch, and there is no signal.
> >
> > If there is a contest for making the most practical, cheapest dongle
> > antenna, this is my entry. The advantage of a soft cup is its
> > flexibility, portability. I am going to cancel my thoughts of buying a
> > ready-made antenna.
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.778 / Virus Database: 525 - Release Date: 10/15/2004

Bob Alston <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> OK. for your contest for "making the most practical, cheapest dongle
> antenna"
> this is my entry, my tin cantenna:
> http://members.cox.net/tulsaalstons/...Adapter%20.htm
> --
> Bob Alston

A picture of Bob's is at:
http://members.cox.net/tulsaalstons/images/IMG_1571.JPG
I presume that Bob's looks like mine. An internal view of mine:
http://www.rahul.net/dold/clarence/u...42-800x600.jpg
And the folks that got me interested in USB dongle reflectors:
http://www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz/

---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8-122.5

Jack Blake <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> Alston's cantenna requires a USB extension cable while Smogkiller's
> simply covers the dongle on the laptop. The cantenna may get more
> range because it can be positioned better.

A USB cable comes with the dongle, so there's no added cost there.

USB adaptor on a length of a cable is always preferable to a dongle, often
placing it high works well, and yes, half an inch can make a difference.
Regards,
Martin

Yes, but a USB dongle on a length of USB cable may work just as well and be
quite a bit cheaper.

--
Bob Alston

bobalston9 AT aol DOT com
"Martin²" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:41769586$0$59463$(E-Mail Removed)...
> USB adaptor on a length of a cable is always preferable to a dongle, often
> placing it high works well, and yes, half an inch can make a difference.
> Regards,
> Martin
>
>


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