### Index ### ---- A cantenna is a very simple but effective antenna, used for 802.11b wireless networks or other 2.4GHz applications. It is basically a tin food can with a N-connector (with a piece of wire) at the right position in the can's side. See (http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html How To Build A Tin Can Waveguide Antenna). In order to improve the reception of the cantenna, bouncing it off a parabolic reflector is a great improvement. One of the best Melbourne Wireless cantenna designs is found on (http://bovine.artificial-stupidity.net/~nevyn/wifi/ Grants site). Mark Vincent followed the directions and specifications on Grant's website and tested them at Installfest 2002. At 24dBi gain, it rates very well against the commercial alternatives. (/events/photos/Meetings/2002-11-23_Installfest/ (see photos)) Remember: the distance from the base of the can to the N-connector wire is 6.2cm according to Grant, confirmed at Installfest. NOT 3.1cm as claimed on the Pringles can sites! On Golden Circle Pineapple Juice cans you should drill at FAT (between PROTEIN and CARBOHYDRATE) on the nutrition table. (http://www.terdmonk.com/cantenna/ see this in action) (http://lan3xtreme.ausgamers.com/wireless/cantenna/ Cantenna calculator program for TI-83+) based on javascript from the above site Check out (http://users.bigpond.com/r.venning/wireless.html Roger Venning's testing results). "Got no dough for a commercial antenna? Looking for an inexpensive way to increase the range of your wireless network? A tin can waveguide antenna, or Cantenna, may be just the ticket. This design can be build for under AUD$5 and reuses a food, juice, or other tin can". ! Length Calculations * The (http://www.saunalahti.fi/elepal/antenna2calc.php Calculator Engine) for dimensioning by Martti Palomaki ---- Back to [Antenna]