How To Make: CHEAP Homemade Parabolic Reflector Antenna

[balding_parrot]

So it looks bigger than it is then.... Oh well

I suppose the best way in that case would be to scale up such that all 3 ant's are as close to the focal point as possible, but then you are taking trash can size

[streaker69]

So it looks bigger than it is then.... Oh well

I suppose the best way in that case would be to scale up such that all 3 ant's are as close to the focal point as possible, but then you are taking trash can size

I agree with you. I honestly can't see a reason to even add a reflector to this unit, it gives excellent coverage as it is. We use to upload videos from our camera truck to the rest of the network.

[theprez98]

I agree with you. I honestly can't see a reason to even add a reflector to this unit, it gives excellent coverage as it is. We use to upload videos from our camera truck to the rest of the network.

And let me tell you, those are some dirty videos.

[-=Xploitz=-]

As close together as those antennas are in that picture...I only foresee only minor issues if hes using a low wattage card. Maybe a little interference..but thats the sacrifice you gotta make to get the range.
Not only that..but that unit he has is relatively small and the center antenna should be the focal point of the position of the parabolic....he may have to expand the template to a "wider" variation...but in theory..he should be very happy with the results.

[streaker69]

As close together as those antennas are in that picture...I only foresee only minor issues if hes using a low wattage card. Maybe a little interference..but thats the sacrifice you gotta make to get the range.
Not only that..but that unit he has is relatively small and the centre antenna should be the focal point of the position of the parabolic....he may have to expand the template to a "wider" variation...but in theory..he should be very happy with the results.

It isn't the wattage of the client card that's the problem it's the output wattage of the unit that would cause a high SWR with reflectors too close, not to mention that cross interference with antenna diversity.

[-=Xploitz=-]

It isn't the wattage of the client card that's the problem it's the output wattage of the unit that would cause a high SWR with reflectors too close, not to mention that cross interference with antenna diversity.

AAhhh!!! streaker. I stand corrected.

@ shuffle2....

You'll just have to experiment..and please post your results..whether positive or negative. I'm currious as to the end results.

[-=Xploitz=-]

For you USB guys (y'all have the easiest mod of all).....just poke a hole in tour "cookware of choice" (wire mesh preferred) and insert the USB in the middle like these pics.

[Oakey22]

I got a cardboard tray and put some tin foil on it and put it behind my antenna, a 9dbi one which is connected to my alfa and it decreased the SNR from 74 to about 70 and the % i connect has gone up by about 6 -7%. This was a really badly made one, so tomorrow at work i will be getting some mesh and some welding rods out and making a better one

[-=Xploitz=-]

I got a cardboard tray and put some tin foil on it and put it behind my antenna, a 9dbi one which is connected to my alfa and it decreased the SNR from 74 to about 70 and the % i connect has gone up by about 6 -7%. This was a really badly made one, so tomorrow at work i will be getting some mesh and some welding rods out and making a better one

Did you get it up and working better Oakey22? I'd love to see some pix of your final product and ANYBODY ELSE'S for that matter.

Come on guys!! Post some pix of your creations!!!

[fds42]

Sorry for reply to an older thread, but I'd like to hash this through before i crack open a wireless card to solder a wire to the antenna port.

A parabolic is highly directional, right? Usually the gain is a function of the reduction in beam width. If you take a 60 watt lightbulb and focus (hypothetical ideal situation with 100% efficiency) it into a laser, you end up with 60 watts on the focused spot, provided no diffusion through air and all that good stuff.

So, if i were to use this as a defensive mechanism, i.e. attach it to an antenna with a flexible wire between the parabolic and my card that allowed me to determine the direction of someone connected to my network, what program would allow for fast sampling so that i could find the direction of the purpose in a few minutes?

Or does the beamwidth only apply to transmission and not reception?

Also, would i be better suited working with a straight bar attached to a wire for directionality (as the power of a signal is a trig function of the angle between the bar's normal and the transmission source). Same type of deal that allows for tracking of collared animals in the wild as seen on so many animal documentaries.