New Wireless Antenna On The Cheap

So I have a D-Link Wireless card, and for one reason or another it no longer has a antenna. I set out to make a new one with as few tool as possible (and a camera), while also maintaining reasonable performance (3/5 Bars or Greater).

Guys this is my first Instructable and I appreciate constructive criticism.

Step 1: Gathering Materials

You will need:

- Pliers (whatever kind)
- Wire Stripper (can be incorpirated with pliers as I have)
- Piece of wire, preferably one piece, rigid, with plastic covering (not the twisted copper)
- Lighter or appropriate heat source.
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Good lighting, a bench with no flammable materials around. Also let me take this chance to say that I and the Instructables Website and her Affiliates take no responsibility for, but not limited to, any injuries, or property damage that may ensue as you are following the ideas herein represented. Also feel free to use this somewhere else, but please link back to this Instructable.

Comments

[Tkdwn]

This isolation on the wire is transparent to 2.4 Ghz so there is no use in taking it down.Here`s the antenna that amazed me with the simplicity and it`s effectivness
http://martybugs.net/wireless/collinear.cgi

[mk17]

does this antenna  work more powerful than the original one..(as u have seen before this with ur original one that is no longer available to u)

[Zelka]

 I would imagine no. You can make it better by following some other instructables, but for this one it is in all probability weaker.

[rimar2000]

I don't know very much on antennas, but I know their lenght depends on the wavelength that it manages. Therefore, it would be very useful (I would say it is almost essential) to have some means for determining its optimal length before making the final over. Maybe simply two sliding pieces of the same wire, each one with an "eye" for the other piece. Sometimes something as simple as raising the height of the hub, dramatically improves wireless range. I rises my wifi hub about 50 cm, which increased the rating of "good" to "excellent" in my house.

[Zelka]

In regards to your length statement, you are most certainly correct rimar! Also you claim not to know much about antenna's, but lots of people don't know that! This was a literal "2 second job", but if you follow what you are saying, the results would be better than the provided antenna! Also yes sometimes moving the hub/router/switch will affect the performance, with wireless the more you play around, the better (or worse) the result :). It is also worth noting that your router settings can be tweaked (for example my router was transmitting at 50%, now at 100% i can access my internet from the neighbours if i was tempted :)

[rimar2000]

I tell you a joke related to this: when I commented in the office of the gain of signal was obtained with the simple case of putting the wifi hub to greater heights, and accidentally told them that my wifi is open, without password, my colleagues suggested me that I could earn a few pesos by selling food and drinks to all who parked the car near my house to use my wifi. Very clever, no?

[Zelka]

hahahahahaha Why is you wifi open, also whats your address ;)

[rimar2000]

Because I think 100 m around there are not any person interested in wifi. If you want profit my wifi, come to Argentina. Let me know it before, so I prepare an "asadito".

[dung0beetle]

If you coil the wire approximately 7 turns about 1/2 inch from the bend, your signal should improve. (it worked for me anyway, I have a cheap Intellinet card, and the antenna broke)

[Zelka]

I haven't tried this personally, but it sounds legit. Thanks dung0beetle!