Pringles 'Cantenna': Wi-Fi extender

[sarongsong]

June 13, 2005 (http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/computing/personaltech/20050613-9999-lz1b13canned.html)
"...Wireless networks have limits on their range. With Wi-Fi, for example, a signal will generally travel 300 feet at best. Add walls, power lines and other impediments and the range can drop. Cantennas can extend the range of a network by increasing the strength of the signal being sent and received...A Pringles can, with its metal bottom and metallic-coated interior, could serve as a reflector for a scaled-down version..."
DIY Template (http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template2/default.htm)

[Morrolan]

and? this story has been floating around for at least 3 years already (http://www.pcbuyersguide.com/solutions/security/All_Security-2002.htm). it's neither new nor spectacular. what is the point of posting this?

[Sammy]

The name "Cantenna" is a bit ironic. Hams will recognize it as the name of a dummy load (used for testing transmitters--electronically, it "looks" like an antenna to the transmitter, but does not radiate a signal) sold by the sadly departed Heathkit Company in the 70s.

The resistive load element was housed in a gallon paint can, filled with mineral oil to dissipate the heat, hence the name.

[sarongsong]

Okay, tell us all about your vblog (http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050613/news_lz1b13vlog.html), then :D

[tmosher]

Cantenna...sorry but Heath came up with the name first.

http://mysite.verizon.net/tmosher/cantenna.jpg

[hippietrekx]

Here (http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/accessories/7060/) is a link to buy a Cantenna (rather expensively).

My granddad used to build them before he died. I'm pretty used to them. My granddad was really into ham radios, BTW.

--htx

P.S. ThinkGeek (www.thinkgeek.com) (the homepage of the link above) has tons of neat "stuff." Check out the rest of the site if you want a few laughs at/from the guys who maintain the site. :)