Cantenna
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A cantenna is a directional waveguide antenna for long-range WiFi (cf. Hi-fi) used to increase the range of (or snoop on) a wireless network. Originally built using a Pringles® Potato Chip can, a cantenna can be constructed quickly, easily, and inexpensively using readily obtained materials:
- Four small nuts/bolts;
- A short length of medium-gauge wire;
- A tin can roughly 8 cm (3.66 inches) in diameter (the longer the better); and
- An N-Female chassis mount connector, available at any electronic supply store.
An optimal design will use a tin can longer than a Pringles can. Instructions for constructing and connecting a cantenna can be found at Turnpoint.net. (http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html)
While cantennas are useful for extending a local area network (LAN), the tiny design makes them ideal for mobile applications such as wardriving. The design of the cantenna is so simple that it is often the first antenna WiFi experimenters learn to build. Even the Secret Service (http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/4181308.htm) has taken an interest in the cantenna.
External links
- How To Build A Tin Can Waveguide Antenna for 802.11(b or g) Wireless Networks (http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html)
- Wlan antenna Waveguide type (http://www.saunalahti.fi/elepal/antenna2.html) - includes some basic theoretical explanations and formulae.
- Antenna in a Pringles can (http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/wlg/448)
- Video: Making a Cantenna from a Tin can, bicycle spoke and N-type connector (http://www.airhive.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=4nAlbum&file=index&do=showpic&pid=6&orderby=dateD)
- Cantenna.com (http://www.cantenna.com/) - commercial site advertising ready made cantennas.
- Do-It-Yourself Wireless Antenna Update (http://www.binarywolf.com/249) - make you own wireless antennas.