Homemade Antennas

[Frost]

We've all seen the Pringles can, 2.4GHz directional antenna. I built a very similar model with somewhat more professional materials (pvc piping). To interface with a machine, I took apart a Netgear wifi antenna (the cheaper USB one), and soldered in a connector. Worked like dream. I built a second antenna to match... if used end-to-end they have the power to greatly improve the range.

Has anybody else put together a homemade antenna? Ever needed to buy an amplifier? Hassles with getting around disclaimer paperwork while purchasing an amp?

[murakami]

We've all seen the Pringles can, 2.4GHz directional antenna. I built a very similar model with somewhat more professional materials (pvc piping).

The pringles design sucks, low gain, too complicated, too fragile, too much voodoo. There are better and simpler designs for directional antennas. Also, unless you hold a ham license, what you have done is illegal.

Has anybody else put together a homemade antenna?

Yes, many of us. There are threads and threads on homebrew antennas at forums.netstumbler.com There was a whole contest on long distance shots at Defcon 11.

Ever needed to buy an amplifier? Hassles with getting around disclaimer paperwork while purchasing an amp?

Amps are a last resort and for pussies, especially for wardriving. Again plugging components together randomly is illegal without the proper license.

[EeeekPenguins]

Also, unless you hold a ham license, what you have done is illegal.

Slightly off topic, but what class ham license would you need for this to be a legal activity?

[murakami]

Slightly off topic, but what class ham license would you need for this to be a legal activity?

Check th ARRL website, but I believe technician allows you up to 100 watts in the 2.4 ghz (enough to fry things). Of course regular ham rules apply, so if you are ebaying wirelessly at 100 watts (a commercial activity) that's a no-no and you should use the minimum amount of power to do the job.

Basically, the FCC doesn't want folks stringing a bunch of parts together that haven't been tested and that may cause substantial interference. One way to let people experiment and play in this section of the radio spectrum is to ask them take a simple test so that they show a minimal knowledge of what they are doing.

Its 35 questions, no morse, and you get to spend a couple of hours with bonefied geezers.

[converge]

Eek... I think I've mentioned it to someone before, but we should do a DC503 meeting for prepping and all schedule to test around the same time. I need to order an antenna for my radio, but we could use that at minimum.

The pringles design does generally suck... it was a shot in the dark by someone that knew nothing to little about radio at the time, although modified a little will cause it to yeild better results. This is all old though... who hasn't done this?

[Frost]

The pringles design does generally suck... it was a shot in the dark by someone that knew nothing to little about radio at the time, although modified a little will cause it to yeild better results.

The pattern I used was still a helical fashion (like the Pringles can), but it was designed by an engineer who actually knows radio stuff. He even included his calculations in the schematics. Worked very well.

For the record, the only reason I built the antennas in the first place was to extend the range of a wireless network between my house and my neighbor, 3 doors down. The line of sight was poor, and his wireless router was in the basement. Between all of the obstacles, we just couldn't keep a stable signal, even though we were only about 110 ft apart. A homebuilt antenna was the cheapest answer.

[kree]

I have been looking for a good place to mention this book. It has a good section on antenna's, I cant really comment to much more on its contents as I am saving it for my hospital stay this weekend.

[fedcon]

Also, unless you hold a ham license, what you have done is illegal.

Wrong. There is no ham license that will allow you do this. 2412Mhz is above the 23cm band which generally allows us to do whatever we want, except for specific ranges, one of which is 2390-2450Mhz. Ham license or not, WiFi hacking is not permitted by the FCC.

[hackajar]

1 jackass to reply to the first message 6 months later and relaunch the whole freakin' ordeal!

OMG it's tEh lolz!!1!!1!

[murakami]

Wrong. There is no ham license that will allow you do this. 2412Mhz is above the 23cm band which generally allows us to do whatever we want, except for specific ranges, one of which is 2390-2450Mhz. Ham license or not, WiFi hacking is not permitted by the FCC.

see this

stupid 10 char limit

[klepto]

WiFi hacking is not permitted by the FCC.

Nor is it allowed by law, Did you mean wardriving? Shut the fuck up.

[skroo]

Nor is it allowed by law, Did you mean wardriving? Shut the fuck up.

Behave. It may have been a blatantly obvious point, but that doesn't give you the right to jump down his throat.