While this may not seem like much, if you have ever changed your wireless routers channel to get a better signal, you know that it does make a difference. Basically, just know that the 2.4GHz spectrum isn’t just 2.4GHz, it is actually 2.401 to 2.483. Or if you are feeling very bold, examine the Radio Frequency Allocation chart, which gives a very broad but complex overview of all the available radio frequencies. If you are confused about using 2.437 instead of just 2.4, take a look at the chart below to see how each channel has its own frequency. Now that we know the wavelength for our radio frequency, we can begin calculating the dimensions of the can based on the guidelines mentioned previously. For channel 6 in the 2.4GHz spectrum, we need to plug in 2.437. You could just use 2.4, but in order to be a little more accurate, we will use two more decimal places. For f, we need to plug in the Wi-Fi frequency. We know v will be 300 (rounded up based on the speed of light mentioned above). Wavelength (mm) ≈ Velocity of wave (Mm/sec) / Frequency (GHz)
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For the purposes of an easy-to-remember formula, I rounded up and converted meters to Mega meters. Formula for Calculating the Wavelengthįirst, it is important to know that radio waves travel at the speed of light, which is about 300 Mega meters (Mm) per second (the exact speed is 299,792,458 meters/sec). There is an online calculator, which will help you determine the dimensions of your cantenna.
#Cantenna calculator download install#
Ability to install components with screws.Fine-tip Sharpie or other utensil to mark the location of the screws.Can opener (or something to remove the lid with).Digital (preferred) or analog calipers or just a tape measure.
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Soldering iron (a fine-tip with lower heat works best).12-gauge copper (if you have scrap cables, you could also unsheath them and see if the copper wire is thick enough to fit into the N connector).Screws (sometimes they come with the chassis-mount N connector).pigtail) or an N-male to RP-SMA-male cable for connecting to USB adapters RP-TNC-to-N-male cable for connecting to most routers (a.k.a.Empty 1qt baby formula can or other similarly-sized aluminum can.A wireless router with external, removable antennas, preferably with custom firmware or a wireless USB dongle with a removable antennta.Requirements For This Walkthrough Materials Create a cantenna to drastically extend your Wi-Fi signal! Works great with a router that has external antennas, like the old-school classic WRT54G.