Any SATTV INTERNET can be used as a WiFi antenna or extenders to boost the distance of your wireless network. Some of the benefits of the parabolic dish include the fact that you have an amplified WiFi signal by using the parabolic dish. This type of antenna is quite simple to make using some basic items and equipment and is therefore quite popular among many constructors. In this guide, you will find out how to construct a satellite dish WiFi antenna, and below is a step-by-step process.
What You Need
- Satellite Dish: You require a satellite TV dish that is between 18 inches and 36 inches in diameter. Overall, gain increases with the dish size. Ensure that the dish is neat and free from any defects.
- Wireless Card or USB Adapter: You require a WiFi card or USB adapter that is connected to the router or computer but is not a part of it. It will be installed at the dish’s center in order to both send and receive signals.
- Coaxial Cable: You should have enough coaxial cable to cover the distance between the dish and your wireless access point. The RG6 quad-shielded cable is the best suited to reduce signal loss.
- F-Type Female Connector: Connect this to one end of the coaxial cable to with the wireless card/adapter.
- Waterproof Enclosure: Enclose your WiFi device in a weatherproof plastic project box on the dish area where it is most concentrated.
- Supplies: Needed: Duct tape, electrical tape, screws, nuts, and washers to fixate the components.
How To Construct The Satellite Dish Antenna
1. Find The Focal Point
The feeds are the points where the satellite signals incoming would have been directly focused on the feed-horn. Mark from the inside bottom edge of a dish about a third to the half of the depth of a dish. Take a marker and practice the location it by having someone stand on it while you simulate a conversation using a hand-held phone from different positions surrounding the dish.
2. Prepare The Wireless Adapter
Plug your USB WiFi adapter to the waterproof plastic project box. Make a hole to pass the coaxial cable through the box, then cover it with duct tape, and electrical tape. Screw the F-type female connector upon the end of the coaxial cable inside the box and then connect it to the WiFi card.
3. Establish Wire-less Device on Focus
Fix the waterproof box that contains the WiFi adapter at the center of the focus of the dish. In areas where there are gaps, use duct tape to cover them, to ensure that no moisture or wind gets in during the race. If possible, ground the project box to the satellite dish to mitigate the risks of electrical strikes.
4. The next process is to ensure the dish is securely covered and sealed for transportation to the next station.
Caulk any other openings that may be present around the edge of the satellite dish. This will ensure that water does not damage the structure or insects build a home in the structure. Duct tape, electrical tape and sealant can be used if required. Screw the dish firmly on a pole or other fixed structure and make sure that the dish is pointing towards an unobstructed area towards your target wireless network or router.
5. Connect Coaxial Cable
Connect the other end of the coaxial cable to the wireless access point in your home or office from the project box at the focal area of the dish. To prevent cable movement, fix screws or clips on the walls or ceiling and attach the cable to the screws or clips at intervals of three to five feet. Make the run as short as possible.
6. Configure WiFi Connection
Plug the coaxial cable into your wireless router or the access point. Do not forget to turn on the USB WiFi adapter located in the project box of the satellite dish. Connect the dish on your router according to the manufacture instructions in order to broadcast your wireless networks signal.
7. Test And Troubleshoot Connection
There are numerous WiFi analyzer apps available in the market which can be downloaded in your smartphone to check the signal strength. First, test near the antenna, then in other parts of the area you are in or even in a different area all together. If necessary, make small corrections to the direction and orientation of the parabolic satellite dish to point at the highest power base. If more range is required, then higher gain WiFi adapters should be installed.
Have a Nice Day, Enjoy Your Longer WiFi Range!
Wi-Fi signals can be weak at times, and placing your homemade WiFi antenna outside on a pole or balcony will let you catch those signals. Ensure that the router is connected to the satellite dish and placed close to an electrical socket. If aesthetics matter consider ways to hide the satellite dish.
Make sure you spend some time on the antenna tuning and that is all, you can get fast internet all over your property. This useful dish antenna can also be used for long range point to point WiFi links to other buildings if required.
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