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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.

11 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. 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

  2. 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
  3. 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.
  4. 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!

  5. Re:Who knew? by drinkypoo · · Score: 5, Informative

    Who knew that tinfoil hats actually _boosted_ reception.

    everyone but you

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  6. Well that worked.... by skimitar · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ...against all expectations on my USB modem using a metal bowl I had lying around (think of a paraboloid with a flat bottom). Boosted download speeds on 3 consecutive tests by 50% (with bowl over without). Also, 3 tests in a row with no bowl showed some variation, but didn't peak at the same speed as with the bowl. Whod've thunk it.

  7. Protip by ThatsNotPudding · · Score: 5, Funny

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