Want to get increase on your WiFi range or get a better wireless network signal? Building a basic WiFi antenna from an old satellite dish can be quite a simple task that does not require significant amounts of money to achieve outstanding results. In this straightforward guide, I’m going to show you how to build a powerful WiFi antenna from a SATTV INTERNET dish in just a few basic steps.
What You'll Need
- A satellite dish, ideally the larger the better normally at least 2-3 feet in diameter is suggested.
- Wireless network card also known as WiFi adapter or USB WiFi dongle
- USB extension cable
- Adhesive mounting putty or double-sided mounting squares
- A drill with different types of drill bits
- A compass or protractor
- Ruler or measuring tape
- Pen or marker
Step 1: Prepare the Dish This is where the cook should enhance the dish by preparing it in a certain way to make it tastier than the other.
The first procedure is preparation of the satellite dish by cleaning it. Ensure that it is free from dust and moisture. Place the concave and convex sides of the dish on a flat surface and draw the center point of the dish with a pen or marker.
Take the compass and make a straight vertical line passing through the middle point on both sides of the curved dish. This line will help you in the process of installing WiFi adapter.
Step 2: Mount The WiFi Adapter
After that, you must screw the WiFi dongle or adapter you have to the line you have created on the satellite dish. The goal here is to make it as close to the central axis as possible and right in front of the dish on the convex side.
Take mounting putty or double-sided adhesive squares and stick this on the back part of the WiFi adapter. Place it on the center line of the convex side of the satellite dish and twist it with the WiFi antenna facing the surface of the dish at a right angle.
Ensure that you use enough putty or adhesive to affix it firmly. If necessary, put some tape over the adapter for extra reinforcement.
Step 3: Prepare the USB Extension The third step is preparing the USB extension which means that one of the USB ports must be extended so as to allow enough room for the button connection.
When the WiFi adapter is set, consider where the physical satellite dish antenna is to be installed outside. Find out how far it is from that outdoor place to where your computer is right now, indoors.
Buy a USB extension cable that is longer than the distance between the two devices and has some extra length. For the majority of configurations, a 15-30 feet cable length should be adequate. This will connect from the mounted WiFi adapter to your laptop.
The final step is to link The Dish to the goals and objectives established in Step 2 and 3 above.
Now let’s position the satellite dish WiFi antenna the right way. Ideally, you should point it at the chief WiFi router or access point that you are going to connect to.
If you know the exact direction and location of the WiFi network, align the dish directly towards the network. By employing the compass, you need to find out the angle with the convex side of the dish facing your signal source.
You can use the signal strength displayed on the computer to get a better alignment at a later time. However, it is best if the initial alignment is perfectly straight.
Step 5: Drill Cable Hole & Mount
Once everything is set up, connect the USB extension cable of your WiFi dongle at the dish to the indoor computer location. Thread the cable through the satellite dish – to do this, use a drill to make a hole that will be just large enough for the cable to go through, but no larger.
Using waterproof tape cover any area around the hole so as not to expose the cable connections to harsh weather conditions.
Last but not the least; securely install your satellite dish WiFi antenna in the fixed and decided outside place. Aim it towards the WiFi network you have recognized. It is best fixed with strong poles or brackets in a way that it is facing in the correct orientation.
Step 6: Install Drivers & Connect
You’re almost done! First of all, you may need to download and install appropriate drivers for your USB WiFi adapter if any. Take the long USB extension cable provided with the satellite dish antenna and plug it directly into any available USB port on your computer.
The new connected WiFi device should be detected by the windows. Ensure that you choose the right network and type any WiFi passwords that are required.
After connection, the wireless signal on your operating system’s network settings can be compared to the signal strength from the built-in WiFi of your computer.
It is advisable also to wrap the periphery of the concave dish with aluminum foil to enhance the focus of both incoming and outgoing wireless signals, although this is not mandatory. But for most setups, your high-powered WiFi antenna made from satellite dish components is complete!
Tips & Tricks
- The size of the dish also determines the amount of signal gain that the dish will offer and therefore the larger the dish the better the signal gain. Be on the lookout for dishes 2-3 feet across or greater.
- High above ground level and away from buildings and other structures achieve the best signal. Aim the Point dish towards your router.
- Metallic foils placed around the dish edges can be used to enhance and direct the received wireless signals.
- Optimize the signal strength by using different methods to mount the exact adapter as potential placement points.
- Seal all cables that are exposed to the outside environment to protect them from the elements.
Thus, without complex construction processes, it is possible to construct a high-powered WiFi antenna from an old satellite dish. Place correctly, it can greatly enhance the signal strength of the sent and received wireless signals for your network at long distances – something that all existing computer integrated network cards lack or can only offer limited in range. Here is a simple DIY WiFi dish antenna project that you can try out.
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