Ikea Hack: Wi-Fi Antenna
When you are staying at a hotel with a weak wi-fi signal, a homemade wi-fi booster antenna like this one can be a godsend.
Here is are the directions to make yourself one, including Amazon.com links to the materials:
Materials:
- A parabolic strainer (from Ikea or Oxo)
- A USB Wi-Fi adapter (Mutated Jellyfish said that the Motorola brand didn’t work, so here’s a link to a different one: Belkin ME1001-USB Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter 802.11g at Amazon.com
- USB extension cord: Dayton USB 2.0 Extension Cable Black 3.3 ft. at Amazon.com
- Popsicle stick or anything to mount the USB adapter: Freezer Pop Sticks at Amazon.com: Mutated Jellyfish used a marker.
- Black electrical tape: 3M 49656 “Scotch” Vinyl Black Plastic Electrical Tape at Amazon.com: Mutated Jellyfish used scotch tape, but electrical tape will look nicer, hold better and last longer.
Instructions:
- Connect the USB wi-fi adapter to the USB extension cable.
- Tape the wi-fi adapter to the end of the popsicle stick.
- Mount the popsicle stick onto the strainer with the USB wi-fi adapter as close to the center of the strainer as possible. Tape it in place wrapping the electrical tape around the stick, the handle of the strainer and the USB extension cord.
- Plug in the USB extension cord into your laptop and turn the wi-fi antenna until you are able to get the best wi-fi signal.
If you pack this wi-fi booster antenna in your car on your next trip, your likeliness of getting wi-fi at your hotel increases exponentially. Give it a try!