Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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.

13 of 146 comments (clear)

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

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

    --
    __ Someday, but not this morning, I'll finally learn to use the preview button.
  2. oh, nice. by gandhi_2 · · Score: 5, Funny

    a pantenna.

    --
    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.

  3. New Zeland by Jbcarpen · · Score: 5, Funny

    New Zeland appears to have been Slashdotted.

    --
    GENERATION 667: The first time you see this, copy it into your sig on any forum and add 1 to the generation
  4. 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.
  5. 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 jpedlow · · Score: 5, Funny

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

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

      LOL

      I represent the International Business Machines company....

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

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

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  7. Protip by ThatsNotPudding · · Score: 5, Funny

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