Increase the Range of Your Wifi

Do you often wish that the range of your Wi-Fi router were wider and stronger, covering your whole home? Well, the good news is that you can use simple do-it-yourself techniques to create your own antenna, signal reflector or booster, which can enhance your house’s Wi-Fi signal. These techniques can prove to be quite effective, without burning a hole in your pocket. Try them out yourself.

Steps

Building a Can-tenna

  1. Gather the materials for your can-tenna. To create a can-tenna, you need a beer can (or a Pringles can), a pair of scissors and duct tape. You can use this type of antenna for traditional routers as well as for USB-dongle-style Wi-Fi receivers.
  2. Create a hole in the bottom of the can. For traditional routers, create a hole in the bottom of the can. Make this hole as close to the center of the can as possible. The closer it is to the center, the better will be its chances of enhancing Wi-Fi signal strength.
  3. Mount your antenna for a USB-dongle receiver. For this, you need a USB male-female cable. You can purchase this at any dollar store.
  4. Prepare your USB-based can-tenna. Here is how you can prepare your USB-based antenna:
    • Cut a rectangular hole in the bottom of the can. This will hold the receiver in place, helping it to sit snugly inside the can.
    • Attach a piece of the duct tape to the back of your receiver. Place another piece of the tape in such a way that it covers the bottom of your can.
    • Carefully tape the can-tenna to the receiver.
  5. Mount your can-tenna. Make sure that your can-tenna is securely taped up. Allow enough space for the wire to sit neatly in front. You can use flexible clamps to offer more support to your antenna and hold it in place.
  6. Position your antenna properly. The can-tenna is capable of increasing your Wi-Fi range, provided that you do the following:
    • Make sure that your antenna directly faces the area that you will be accessing the internet from.
    • Keep changing your antenna’s angle and note the signal strength on your receiver in each position. Use the position which indicates the highest signal strength.

Building a Parabolic Antenna

  1. Prepare the materials to create your parabolic antenna. This antenna, which looks somewhat like a satellite dish, is known to offer better results than the can-tenna.
    • To build a parabolic antenna, you need a dome-shaped piece of metallic cookware. You can use a metal bowl, strainer or anything that falls under the category of Asian parabolic cookware (such as a small wok).
  2. Set up your parabolic antenna. Drill a hole in your utensil or strainer. Make sure that your antenna is as close its center as possible. Then fix it to the receiver with tape or superglue.
  3. Position your antenna. Once you have made sure that your bowl/strainer has stuck to the receiver, face it toward the area that you will be accessing the internet from.
    • Keep changing your antenna’s angle and note the signal strength on your receiver in each position. Use the position which indicates the highest signal strength.
    • Note that the larger the circumference of your bowl or strainer; and the closer it is placed to the center; the better are its chances of enhancing Wi-Fi signal strength.

Using Aluminum Foil to Enhance Signal Strength

  1. Prepare your aluminum foil sheet. This is another easy method you can use to help boost your house’s Wi-Fi signal. For this, you will need aluminum foil, a pair of scissors and a router.
  2. Set up the aluminum foil. In order to set up your DIY booster, you will need to do the following:
    • Cut a piece of foil in the shape of a rectangle. The piece should be about a foot or so in length.
    • Fold all the edges of the foil to about a centimeter. This will form a sort of frame for it.
    • Give the foil a slightly curved shape, resembling a parabola.
  3. Stabilize your aluminum foil. Make sure to stabilize your foil, so that it can sit on or behind your router, without falling off.
    • If your router is mounted on a wall, you can make holes in the foil and insert it into the antenna. This way, it will stay as close as possible to your antenna.
  4. Position the foil properly. Turn the router and antenna to face it toward the area that you will be accessing the internet from. Your aluminum foil will reflect the wireless signal; focusing it on the chosen area in your home.



Tips

  • Most of the materials used in the above-mentioned methods can be found in your own home. Else, they can be easily purchased from dollar stores. So these are inexpensive and effective options for you.
  • You can create a nice antenna from an old satellite dish that is lying around unused in your home. Here is useful information on creating low-cost Wi-Fi antennas.
  • Move your router to the center of you upper floor. Keep televisions, stereos and metal furniture at least {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} away.

Things You'll Need

For the "can-tenna":

  • A Pringles can, soup can or a beer can
  • A pair of scissors or a knife
  • An USB male-female cable
  • Duct tape
  • Flexible clamps

For the parabolic antenna:

  • A metal bowl or strainer
  • A drill,
  • Duct tape
  • Hot glue or superglue

For the aluminum foil booster:

  • A sheet of aluminum foil
  • A pair of scissors
  • A router

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