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Boost a Weak 3G Modem Signal, With a Saucepan

Posted by timothy on from the raid-the-kitchen dept.

modeca writes "Using only commonly available kitchen equipment this guy demonstrates the amazing powers of an ordinary metal pan to boost the 3G reception of his USB modem. It really seems to work, check the right hand side of the graph in the video." It's not that crazy: cheap antenna boosting (for USB WiFi dongles, Bluetooth, and more) has been elevated to a fine art in New Zealand.

26 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. very scientific by fasuin · · Score: 2, Funny

    isn't it?

    1. Re:very scientific by sunderland56 · · Score: 1, Funny

      The meaning of words change over time, and the meaning of fag is quite different from the beginning of the decade.

      Really? At the beginning of the decade it meant a cigarette. Based on my attempts to "bum a fag, mate" in Leicester Square last weekend, it still means a cigarette. Was there something I missed?

    2. Re:very scientific by demonlapin · · Score: 2, Funny

      My favorite sentence that has totally different meanings in US and UK English is "I was so pissed that I couldn't find a fag when I had that torch."

  2. Who knew? by bobdotorg · · Score: 4, Funny

    Who knew that tinfoil hats actually _boosted_ reception. It's a government conspiracy I tell you.

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    __ Someday, but not this morning, I'll finally learn to use the preview button.
    1. Re:Who knew? by w0mprat · · Score: 2, Funny

      The solution is to cover your entire body in tin foil, faraday cage!

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  3. oh, nice. by gandhi_2 · · Score: 5, Funny

    a pantenna.

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    THL phish sticks
    1. Re:oh, nice. by moodz · · Score: 5, Funny

      hmmm yes i can see the pot-ential.

    2. Re:oh, nice. by compro01 · · Score: 5, Funny

      I should probably just wok away, but I can't resist.

      --
      upon the advice of my lawyer, i have no sig at this time
    3. Re:oh, nice. by Jophish · · Score: 5, Funny

      Let's not get curried away

    4. Re:oh, nice. by Panoptes · · Score: 4, Funny

      I'm pasta caring.

    5. Re:oh, nice. by Larryish · · Score: 2, Funny

      You are addicted to pot?

    6. Re:oh, nice. by derGoldstein · · Score: 3, Funny

      Such fun with pots and puns.

      --
      Entomologically speaking, the spider is not a bug, it's a feature.
  4. New Zeland by Jbcarpen · · Score: 5, Funny

    New Zeland appears to have been Slashdotted.

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    1. Re:New Zeland by dangitman · · Score: 2, Funny

      No, it's Tim Finnland.

      --
      ... and then they built the supercollider.
  5. Moola! by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm gonna buy up 10,000 of those pans and sell them on Ebay as a "Hi-tech USB modem booster" for $69.95. That is until IBM patents the pan.

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  6. Now I am torn by MichaelSmith · · Score: 5, Funny

    Between my liking for my wife's prawn crackers and my need for a good 3G signal.

    --
    http://michaelsmith.id.au
    1. Re:Now I am torn by Tablizer · · Score: 3, Funny

      Between my liking for my wife's prawn crackers and my need for a good 3G signal.

      Please keep your romantic procedures to yourself.
             

      --
      Table-ized A.I.
    2. Re:Now I am torn by jpedlow · · Score: 5, Funny

      But with a good 3G connection, you can get all the prawn you can handle!

    3. Re:Now I am torn by MichaelSmith · · Score: 4, Funny

      LOL

      I represent the International Business Machines company....

      --
      http://michaelsmith.id.au
  7. Hats off too by Tablizer · · Score: 4, Funny

    It works so well that now I can get all the MacGyver episodes.

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    Table-ized A.I.
  8. I think I'll start keeping a frypan in my backpack by syousef · · Score: 3, Funny

    Why not? I already have a GPS, mini binoculars, a radio scanner, a flash light, an external hard drive, a 20x zoom camera, multiple cables, a AAA/AA battery fast charger, batteries, a USB r/c flight sim controller (Realflight), a Logitec gamepad, a graphics tablet and a laptop in my backpack. I figure if I ever get into trouble and get searched the authorities will already think I'm some sort of hyper-nerd spy anyway. Heck if I didn't have to face the consequences it would be a laugh to catch a plane and cross into the US with my backpack just to see the look on TSA drone's face. Why not add a frypan to the mix? Now if only I could work out a way to fit a kitchen sink in my backpack.

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  9. Re:I think I'll start keeping a frypan in my backp by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    no. they'll just think you're a fucking loser. it's sad that you brag about this shit.

  10. Re:I think I'll start keeping a frypan in my backp by gandhi_2 · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...TSA drone's face...

    TSA personnel aren't drones. Drones have been much more effective.

    --
    THL phish sticks
  11. Re:I think I'll start keeping a frypan in my backp by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Sorry for the meta, but this is one of the funniest things i have read in a long time.
    The look on the guys faces would be priceless.

    Also, i am sure it would be fairly easy to make a fold-up sink. Pipes and fittings detachable.
    Making it watertight at the bends is the only problem. I guess there could be another separate plate that you insert in to the sink to create a near perfect seal.

  12. This just in! by jd2112 · · Score: 3, Funny

    In response to Verizon's "Map" ads, All AT&T 3G phones now come with a skillet. A new iPhone ad states: "Frying bacon and eggs for breakfast? There's an app for that"

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    Any insufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology.
  13. Protip by ThatsNotPudding · · Score: 5, Funny

    Spraying it down with Pam prevents the radio waves from sticking; worth at least 10 extra Mbps.