Patch-Antenna conversion too a Cantenna
the Fools guide...thats me....
When I say Cable, I refer to the black cable you see(the insulation included)
When I say Wire, I refer to the little metal wire, inside the insulation)
If you rip the Patch Antenna open, you will see that the indented part has a Steel plate covering that entire inside. The Reverse part, wich is the back( but stangely enough is the part wich picks up the best signal if pointed towards the tower ) has a small mirror, facing the Metal plate. The Wire is slapped inbetween 2 pieces of double sided tape, and that is stuck onto the metal plate.
I got an nice looking Amarula Can ( one of those you get in bottle stores when you buy the Amarula can, its all metal, VERY round, and nice and long, also its got a decent Diameter. ) Measured as close to the 1/4Lo mark from the back as an old school ruler (with coffee, dirt, and some other stuff I would rather not mention on it) could possibly measure. Took a Knife to make the initial hole. Then took a Screw Driver to ease the hole open to the desired size.
Now the fun part, I ripped open the Patch Antenna using , said Knife.
Struggled a bit, as it is glued really tight, then I heard a crack, and my heart almost stopped. did I just destroy all hopes off havign a signal? Nah, just the useless plastic cover. So inside you see the stupid metal plate and the mirror....stare at yourself in the mirror, thinking how you are so damn smart, and why a mirror? did this mirror cost R300? no mustve been the wire.
So take the R300 wire, get some foil, rap it around the Black-Insulated part of the wire, it can touch the actual wire , dont think it matters at all. (It is as if the fact, that the wire is touching the can firmly, gives better signal, maybe superglue or prestic would also work, I just went with foil since its metal /sigh)
now hold the cable down onto the can - on the outside - then take Cellotape and tape that bugger down real tight, so it wont move if you handle the can. Look inside the can now. you will see the piece of wire sticking out inside. Aparantly the more the wire sticks out or the less it sticks out inside the can, the better your signal is, I dont know, I just stuck it in to where the Black-Insulation of the cable stops and the wire starts. Pretty standard Stuff, pushing it in deeper, or pulling it out a bit,(if your thinking what I'm thinking...your sick) doesnt make a signal strength difference at all, in my experience....
Now if you look at your Can from the outside , you should see a can, with a piece of Wire coming out its backside(once again you thinking what im thinking?....sicko) that wire is taped to the can. On the inside you see the wire sticking out, I would say 3cm into the can. (PS. I find if the wire is straight inside the can you get better signal, so dont bend it, also try and avoid the wire being slanted inside the can , keep it upright)
Now this can is nice and all, but you need a stand...see that stand from the old useless patch antenna? that thing is sweet as a stand, now go buy yourself superglue. Take the Stand cut it off the Patch Antenna with a knife/Saw. Even out the *Cut* area so it is nice and flat(I used my girlfriends Nail File, I'm sure a manly file would also work). Take superglue, thats it....more....no MORE....stick the Stand onto the bottom off the can, and keep there till dry, it works neat.
Ofcourse you cant go biking with the cantenna, or even take it out to dinner(Afterall you've been through more with this can than most men have been through with their wifes), but it will surely stand in the same spot for ages without worrying about the stand falling off.
Stats :
Normal Modem (Nothing attached):
12%-15%(Avg 13%)
Patch Antenna:
15%-27%(Avg 23%
Pringles Can(Cut and stuck over Modem Antenna):
22%-28%(Avg 25%)
Sweetheart....I mean Cantenna:
26%-35% (Avg 32%)
Disclaimer : Results may Vary.
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