Slashdot Mirror

Took me forever to remember/find who created the Pringles cantenna,
Andrew Clapp
http://www.netscum.com/~clapp/wireless.html

-AI

There are many documented accounts of the use of a Pringles can to construct a directional antenna. Rob Flickenger made one in 2001. Gregory Rehm did one in 2003 and was Slashdotted. G4 TV's Patrick Norton posted one in 2002 on The Screen Savers. Andrew S. Clapp has a lot of technical information on his website as well as several links to others. I wonder if he is, in any way, related to Eric Clapton.

http://www.netscum.com/~clapp/wireless.html#results You could build yourself a directional antenna to span the distance...

Given Pringle's can technology, there's no reason they can't cobble together some internet access. ;-) http://www.netscum.com/~clapp/wireless.html

Bob Cringely used to have the same problem and wrote a bunch of columns about long range wifi while back. You have to have someone you can reach a decent connection you can reach but I've read about people reaching 10 miles using similar methods. Not for the faint of heart but this is slashdot.

Alternately COVAD (before they merged with sprint I think) used to sell DSL where they hung a booster half way between your house and the telco. I don't think they still do it as I'm pretty sure they lost money doing despite the fact that it was twice as expensive as telco dsl. While not super fast does work and is faster than dial-up. There may be a third party operator in your area who still offers this kind of service. Good luck!

Some description of methods: http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2005/pulpit_20050414_000849.html
More details: http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2001/pulpit_20010712_000697.html
A follow on : http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2001/pulpit_20010628_000421.html
His various ISPs http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2004/pulpit_20040708_000818.html

this: http://www.netscum.com/~clapp/wireless.html is being referenced.

Of course. Here we go:

• Pringles Yagi Antenna
• Antenna on the Cheap (er, Chip)
• Pringles Can Antenna
• ...

Pringles can antennas already delivered that back in 2001... Now, if there would only come someone along to pick up these pesky crumbs.

As if this was not yet enough to keep you from messing around with fast flying electrons, I have received many emails from folks who are very involved with HAM radio and other professions and hobbies that involve work with high frequency microwave radiation. They warn that 2.4 GHz just happens to also be the resonant frequency of plain old water. This is why a microwave oven works. The energy of an 802.11b device is the same kind of energy that cooks your food, but on a much smaller scale. This is important considering that we as humans are 98% made of water. I have been warned that exposure to even as little as a 1/4 watt amplified with a 14db antenna, such as described here, could lead to severe vision problems and possibly other health issues.

"My father just bought a five-acre farm with multiple buildings. I am looking for a way to set up a WLAN that covers the entire property.

Do you mean just around the buildings, or everywhere on the property? If it's the latter, use a handful of cheap WAPs and high tech Pringles can antennae on the out-buildings, pointed at the external antenna on the home.

Do Slashdot readers know how to provide wireless access for more than one house without blanketing the entire neighborhood (hopefully for a reasonable price)? Are there single, high-powered routers that will do the job?"

People are going to be able to snoop your RF communications if they want to. If you're worried about that, bury copper or fiber to the buildings. Otherwise, could I perhaps interest you in experimenting with laser communications? On the cheap? Now where did I stash those Laser Tag toys...

The pringles can antennas work really well. I've built two of them. There's plenty of really good guides on how to make the antennas and how they work.

yagi antenna (he calls it cantenna, too :)

also for the more technically inclined... yah right like im going to find some of them on slashdot...

• 802.11b Range Boost
  
• Yagi Antenna Design
  
• Build a dish antenna for $10!
  
• This server is running over a 10-mile 802.11b link
  
• Nokia Rooftop Technology
  
• community-supported, sustainable wireless nets