Uni-Directional WIFI Range Extender

Step 3: Glue and Zip-Ties

Insert the Female end of the USB extention (the part that doesnt connect to your computer) into the hole you just drilled.
Then just apply the glue/epoxy and let it sit for 24 hours. This Creates a strong bond between the plastic and metal. I used some tape to help hold the connecter in place while the glue cured. Be sure to apply glue to both sides of the connecter. Once thats dry the next day, zip tie 2 of the metal "ears" so they wont fold in on themselves when you use it.

Comments

[edrichhans]

can i ask what the zipties is for??

ty

[GmanM]

Looking at the photo, you can see two small loops at the sides where the zip-ties are laced through the holes at the edges of two separate petals of the strainer. The effect is to lock the strainer into an open position.

In my experiments I found paper clips to be more convenient because I could remove them to close the strainer for travel.

Also, if need be, you can also use the zip-ties/paper clips to lock the shape of the dish into a different parabolic shape which may better focus the "hotspot" of the signal for a particular wifi adapter.

Remember, the strainer used as a parabolic focusing device can also be used to increase the signal of a bluetooth device or a cellular phone, so the adjustable aspect of the parabolic shape of the strainer makes for some good experiments.

I disagree with hard-mounting the USB cable of the wifi adapter to the center of the strainer. Instead the hole in the center strainer should be based on the width of the wifi adapter, or even better, based on a small piece of plastic tubing which the adapter can snuggly slide back and forth in.

How one would make the hole is up to the individual and the tools at hand, but making four cuts with a pair of tin snips and carefully bending the pie-shaped pieces with pliers to hold either the adapter or a two inch long plastic tube to mount the adapter into is not rocket science.

Not only does this allow for the adapter to be tuned for best signal strength, it also makes the unit very portable and easily dis-assembled, and preserves the wifi adapter and its USB cable in their original condition for other applications.

Cheers
Gman

[mhoffman52]

Note you can do this with a female usb adaptor. Make it so it would fit in the center so both the adaptor and cable and be removed. Also you it would not damage either end.

[randy82k]

You could use a stick of two part epoxy puddy  which is sold in hardware stores for plumbing and other repairs. Just cut off as much as you need and apply around cable and strainer. gets hard quite fast 30 min or so.

[Servando Moreno13]

Hello u wont mind if i use your ideas for my science project if you let me i am wondering how do you mostly do that

[Eduiño]

Why I cant take the metal ears with my own hands?

[lugwrench]

If you do want to fold this for transport ( I thought thats why you would use a folding collander?) you can use the twist ties that come on bread or food storage bags.