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Boost Your Wi-Fi Signal Using Only a Beer Can

Posted by timothy on from the for-some-values-of-only dept.

First time accepted submitter AmyVernon writes with a small hack that "is supposed to boost signal strength by at least 2 to 4 bars," and which requires little more than a can of beer (or Orangina). She writes: "What you need: scissors, a utility knife, some adhesive putty and an empty beer can. The brand doesn't matter for the router, but I suppose it would be cooler looking if it were Asahi or Stella Artois than if it were Budweiser." Perhaps this will be added one day to my favorite (and very extensive!) list of low-budget Wi-Fi amplifying rigs.

10 of 229 comments (clear)

  1. Bars by TarMil · · Score: 5, Informative

    Since when is WiFi signal strength measured in bars? It's a pressure unit.

    1. Re:Bars by nacturation · · Score: 4, Funny

      My iPad displays its WiFi signal strength in kilopascals, or you can change this in the settings to display millimeters of mercury.

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    2. Re:Bars by pjt33 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Asking for figures to be given with units which actually make sense indicates competence, not arrogance. The arrogance, if any, is the submitter assuming that everyone uses the same software as them (boosting by "at least 2 to 4 bars" indicates that it can boost by more, which would be quite impressive with software where 4 bars is as high as it goes), but I think it's fairer to assume ignorance than arrogance.

    3. Re:Bars by Hognoxious · · Score: 4, Funny

      The writer is likely a person that doesn't have much experience with WiFi technology

      Or beer for that matter. I mean, Stella Artois?

      First time accepted submitter? Hopefully the last time too.

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    4. Re:Bars by Idarubicin · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Asking for figures to be given with units which actually make sense indicates competence, not arrogance....

      Not really. For the person asking the question "Will this mean I can get reliable wifi in my bedroom now?" the qualitative experience of "I'm seeing two to four more bars" is a relatively meaningful unit. The little 'bar'-type displays of wifi signal strength, or battery life, or whatever other electronic property one might wish a consumer to be aware of virtually always have between 4 and 6 bars at full scale; one doesn't have to be familiar with a particular brand or device in order to interpret a 2-to-4-bar increase as significant-but-not-magical.

      In contrast, saying "The reflector provided me with a 4 dB gain" isn't helpful to the average individual ("The router is how loud now?") and shrug-worthy to any competent electrical engineer ("Meh; that's about what I would have guessed. The gain is going to depend quite a bit on exactly how the can is placed and shaped - and on the design of my router - anyway; I'll just fiddle with mine until I get the best signal.")

      Demanding precise measurements in technically-correct units characterizing a one-off device held together with Blu-Tack isn't an indication of competence, it's an indication of arrogance and pedantry.

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  2. And if you're not a redneck... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    you could run the freeantennas.com template through your printer, cut out the bits, glue them together, slap a bit of tin foil on the back, and off you go. It really takes less than ten minutes to make one. That's an easy 8..9dB extra gain.

    The thing that's critical to beer can and paper-and-tinfoil construction is a reasonable parabolic shape and positioning the antenna at that parabole's focal point. Though a nice square angle will do too, but there again it's the focal point that does it.

  3. News? by nbetcher · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Haven't we known this since 802.11 came out? Pringles can, anyone?

  4. Re:Lameness and collateral lameness by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    OTOH, amplified signal power in one direction = reduced noise for your neighbors in other directions. Granted, if you measure signal in "bars", it's safe to assume you know nothing about laying out a site for minimal interference, but for those who know and care, directional antennas of modest gain can be quite effective for making your home network work without tragedying up the commons.

  5. Re:Even better... by gomiam · · Score: 5, Funny

    that you need to keep

    Someone elbowed that sat dish again, didn't they? ;)

  6. Re:Lameness and collateral lameness by Hatta · · Score: 4, Insightful

    2. Amplified signal power in your direction == amplified noise for your neighbors in other directions.
    3. This is probably illegal in many jurisdictions.

    This isn't amplification. It's just a reflector.

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