cantenna
{{short description|Type of antenna}}
{{About|a microwave antenna|Heathkit Cantenna antenna-related device|Dummy load|the battle|Battle of Cantenna}}
File:5ghz cantenna as satellite dish feed-horn.JPG]]
A cantenna (a portmanteau blending the words can and antenna) is a homemade directional waveguide antenna, made out of an open-ended metal can.
Cantennas are typically used to increase the range (or discovery) of Wi-Fi networks.
Construction
File:Pringles Can Antenna Wifi (106601670).jpg cantenna for Wi-Fi]]
The cylinder portion of the can may consist of metal-coated paperboard.
Although some designs are based on a Pringles potato chips can, this tube is too narrow to increase the 2.4 GHz signal by a useful amount,{{cite web|title=PC FAQ's: Build a 'Cantenna' Aerial|url=http://www.pelaginox.com/pc/pc-cantenna.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411034630/http://www.pelaginox.com/pc/pc-cantenna.html|archive-date=2008-04-11}} although at 5 GHz it would be about the right size. However, a cantenna can be made from various cans or tubes of an appropriate diameter.{{cite web|title=Wlan antenna Waveguide type (includes table of suitable dimensions for cantenna)|url=http://www.saunalahti.fi/elepal/antenna2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718000509/http://www.saunalahti.fi/elepal/antenna2.html|archive-date=2009-07-18}} Some designs include a pole mount to elevate the cantenna.{{cite web|url=http://mali.geekcorps.org/2005/11/07/how-to-make-a-bottlenet-antenna/|title=Cantenna build on a pole (includes construction plans)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061024092741/http://mali.geekcorps.org/2005/11/07/how-to-make-a-bottlenet-antenna|archive-date=2006-10-24}}
At 2.4 GHz, losses can occur if the cable from the cantenna to the Wi-Fi circuitry is too long. A more efficient cantenna can be made by minimising this length or connecting the cantenna directly to the Wi-Fi circuitry.{{cite web|url=http://www.amateurlogic.com/blog/?p=15|title=Episode 3 is On-The-Air – AmateurLogic.TV|date=20 December 2005 }}
Use
File:XO + Tinkertoys(Box and Tinker) = Directional Cantenna (2665155167).jpg laptop]]
Cantennas are typically used for extending a wireless local area network (WLAN).
The tiny design makes them ideal for mobile applications such as wardriving.
Cantennas can be used to increase cell phone range,[https://web.archive.org/web/20160822113931/http://makezine.com/2006/10/18/cell-phone-cantenna-diagr/ MAKE: Blog: Cell phone - Cantenna diagram and parts list] improve reception, and decrease noise.
A cantenna can be used as a satellite dish feed horn. The 5.5 GHz cantenna dimensions are almost perfect in that they make a good fit for the standard TV satellite dish. The resulting setup is a low-cost high-quality high-gain antenna.{{cite web|url=http://www.pwmn.net/wiki/index.php?title=How_to_make_5ghz_cantenna_-_feeder_for_sat-dish|title=How to make 5ghz cantenna - feeder for sat-dish - P Wiki MN|access-date=2012-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029045619/http://www.pwmn.net/wiki/index.php?title=How_to_make_5ghz_cantenna_-_feeder_for_sat-dish|archive-date=2016-10-29|url-status=dead}} Such setups are widely used in wireless community networks for long-distance {{nowrap|Wi-Fi}} links.
Cantennas may be used with other RF devices such as wireless security cameras.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cantenna.com/CantennaUserGuide.pdf |title=Cantenna.com User Guide |access-date=2010-10-06 |archive-date=2021-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301182805/http://www.cantenna.com/CantennaUserGuide.pdf |url-status=dead }}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://mikestechblog.com/ubuntu-antenna/extend-you-wireless-network-with-a-diy-2-4-ghz-wifi-cantenna/ Extend your wireless network by building a Wi-Fi cantenna]
- [http://www.amateurlogic.com/blog/?p=15 Amateurlogic Episode 3 (Construction details for a more efficient cantenna)]
- [http://urbanwireless.info/antennas/waveguide-can-tenna Waveguide Can-tenna]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN_1oe3z7EQ Youtube video on How To Build A low loss Cantenna]
- [http://kioan.users.uth.gr/wireless/cantenna/ Cantenna Calculator]
{{Antenna Types}}