Re-use an old Look-TV Antenna for WiFi ? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

tanked_sender · 2010-08-20, 01:20 PM

Sorry for being slightly off topic, but...

It's been mentioned in the past that those old Look-TV antennas cannot be used for OTA, which is understandable.

However, I was looking to build a WiFi biquad dish antenna to enhance my wireless signal, when I realized that I still had an old Look TV antenna. I understand that Look TV broadcasted in the 2.5 - 2.7 GHz range. Would this be a suitable antenna for standard WiFi ?

300ohm · 2010-08-20, 03:01 PM

Wifi b/g is 2.4 ghz, so yes.

Whats the distance youre looking for ?

tanked_sender · 2010-08-20, 03:35 PM

About 350 meters with obstructions. Not sure if this is really possible, but I've read about some folks getting wifi signals over a few miles with the biquads.

topherpaquette · 2010-08-20, 04:54 PM

seriously,

i can't wait to see the results as i have one kicking around mom and dads

cheers

300ohm · 2010-08-20, 07:18 PM

Quote:

About 350 meters with obstructions.

350 meters isnt a problem with higher gain antennas, but the obstructions are. You really need a clean line of sight for wifi distance.

237 miles is the distance record, but you need to be on the peaks of an Andes mountain range, heh.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/19/v...ord-237-miles/

byebye_cable · 2010-08-21, 09:22 PM

How would you attach a wifi antenna to your laptop/desktop?

downbeat · 2010-08-21, 11:25 PM

Some wireless routers have an external antenna connector.

300ohm · 2010-08-22, 12:01 AM

One way is to use a wireless network card that has a detachable SMA type small whip antenna. Then use low loss 50 ohm cable with the proper SMA connectors. Thats what I used on my wifi biquad. The low loss cable still has a lot of loss, so youre limited to about 10 ft max cable distance, without some kind of repeater.

Another option is to use a weatherproofed usb b/g adapter for the antenna element and a usb extention cable.

stampeder · 2010-08-22, 01:29 PM

Yep, don't go using 75Ω coax, it has to be 50Ω.

I needed some 50Ω coax in a hurry once to fix a 2-way radio so I stopped into a big box store's automotive department, bought a replacement AM/FM car antenna, sheared off the Motorola connector, cut the remaining 3 feet of cable off the antenna and soldered the right connectors on, all for about $7. Worked perfectly.

Some stores have an extension cable for car antennas which would do even better.

byebye_cable · 2010-08-22, 08:22 PM

Cool, I actually have an MN-730 I'm not using that has a detachable whip antenna (just unscrewed it!), and, a couple USB b/g adapters too.

What would the approx limit be using a USB extender cable on with the USB wireless thingys?

EDIT: No antenna jack on the router - I gues that just would have made too much sense.

300ohm · 2010-08-22, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Q1: How long of a cable can I use to connect my device?
A1: In practice, the USB specification limits the length of a cable between full speed devices to 5 meters (a little under 16 feet 5 inches). For a low speed device the limit is 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches).

http://www.usb.org/about/faq/ans5

So, with 15 feet to a powered hub, and another 15 feet to the usb b/g adapter, about 30 feet.

byebye_cable · 2010-08-23, 05:19 PM

I just built a mini-reflector for my router out of tin foil

Will see if it improves the situation in my bedroom any. I mean the reception of course

byebye_cable · 2010-08-24, 04:27 PM

It helps a lot!! I'm going to make a better one, more shaped to my situation.

2010-08-20, 01:20 PM	#1
tanked_sender Rookie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 6	Re-use an old Look-TV Antenna for WiFi ? Sorry for being slightly off topic, but... It's been mentioned in the past that those old Look-TV antennas cannot be used for OTA, which is understandable. However, I was looking to build a WiFi biquad dish antenna to enhance my wireless signal, when I realized that I still had an old Look TV antenna. I understand that Look TV broadcasted in the 2.5 - 2.7 GHz range. Would this be a suitable antenna for standard WiFi ?

2010-08-20, 03:01 PM	#2
300ohm Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Somewhere in Delaware on the flat side Posts: 7,011	Wifi b/g is 2.4 ghz, so yes. Whats the distance youre looking for ? __________________ My builds/plans (not the latest models) are located here.

2010-08-22, 12:01 AM	#8
300ohm Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Somewhere in Delaware on the flat side Posts: 7,011	One way is to use a wireless network card that has a detachable SMA type small whip antenna. Then use low loss 50 ohm cable with the proper SMA connectors. Thats what I used on my wifi biquad. The low loss cable still has a lot of loss, so youre limited to about 10 ft max cable distance, without some kind of repeater. Another option is to use a weatherproofed usb b/g adapter for the antenna element and a usb extention cable. __________________ My builds/plans (not the latest models) are located here.

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2010-08-20, 03:35 PM	#3
tanked_sender Rookie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 6	About 350 meters with obstructions. Not sure if this is really possible, but I've read about some folks getting wifi signals over a few miles with the biquads.

2010-08-20, 04:54 PM	#4
topherpaquette Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Windsor, Ontario... Samsung LNT4053, PS3 Slim 120GB, Mac Mini HTPC Posts: 353	seriously, i can't wait to see the results as i have one kicking around mom and dads cheers

2010-08-21, 09:22 PM	#6
byebye_cable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 434	How would you attach a wifi antenna to your laptop/desktop?

2010-08-21, 11:25 PM	#7
downbeat Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Calgary Posts: 3,565	Some wireless routers have an external antenna connector.

2010-08-22, 01:29 PM	#9
stampeder OTA Forum Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Delta, BC (96Av x 116St) Posts: 23,338	Yep, don't go using 75Ω coax, it has to be 50Ω. I needed some 50Ω coax in a hurry once to fix a 2-way radio so I stopped into a big box store's automotive department, bought a replacement AM/FM car antenna, sheared off the Motorola connector, cut the remaining 3 feet of cable off the antenna and soldered the right connectors on, all for about $7. Worked perfectly. Some stores have an extension cable for car antennas which would do even better.

2010-08-22, 08:22 PM	#10
byebye_cable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 434	Cool, I actually have an MN-730 I'm not using that has a detachable whip antenna (just unscrewed it!), and, a couple USB b/g adapters too. What would the approx limit be using a USB extender cable on with the USB wireless thingys? EDIT: No antenna jack on the router - I gues that just would have made too much sense.

2010-08-23, 05:19 PM	#12
byebye_cable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 434	I just built a mini-reflector for my router out of tin foil Will see if it improves the situation in my bedroom any. I mean the reception of course

2010-08-24, 04:27 PM	#13
byebye_cable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 434	It helps a lot!! I'm going to make a better one, more shaped to my situation.