While modern Wi-Fi antennas allow you to use the fastest speeds within your ISP’s package, they can be quite expensive. Luckily, you can always turn to DIY projects to improve your connection signal without spending too much money.
Check out these 10 DIY long range Wi-Fi antennas you can make on a shoestring budget.
1. Homemade Wi-Fi Antenna
A homemade Wi-Fi antenna can save you the hassle of shelling out hundreds of dollars for a new gadget. There are several routes you can use to make this hack a reality. The project is perfect if you’re experiencing Wi-Fi connections issues and would rather not invest in a new router immediately.
A homemade Wi-Fi antenna can be useful if you frequently deal with dropped connections at peak hours. You may also rely on the option as a temporary fix until you get your finances ready for a retail unit.
2. DIY Tin Can Wi-Fi Antenna
A tin can antenna (cantenna) is a great project for anyone who wants to improve their home Wi-Fi speed but doesn’t have the cash to buy the factory-made product from a store. The hack will cost you less than $ 5.
The only thing you’ll need for this project is some waste metal cans and basic hand tools. Remember, this project will improve your home internet speeds while expanding the range of the signal.
3. DIY Long Range Wi-Fi Antenna
Did you know that you don’t have to reach out to your telecommunications dealer if you simply want to increase your Wi-Fi range? That’s right, all you need to do is gather a few locally available materials such as a metal can or pipe, 12-gauge copper wires, and soldering iron.
Once the setup is complete, all you’ll be left with is turning on your Wi-Fi router and attempting to capture the signals away from your home. You can test out the longest distance the antenna covers from the router.
4. Wi-Fi Signal Catcher
You can easily build a signal catcher at home to boost your internet connection speed while providing additional flexibility to internet-activated phone services such as VOLTE. The setup has two important components that should be designed to work together, the Wi-Fi antenna and a dish-like surface to catch the signals.
Once the project is done, you’ll still have to set the catcher so that it captures the signals efficiently. You can do this by making small increments to the height and angle of the dish. The best setting will have the strongest signal.
5. Dual Band Wi-Fi Repeater
If you’re concerned that your home internet isn’t covering all the rooms, there may be a DIY solution to your problem.
During the setup process for this DIY wireless repeater, you’ll have to decide whether you want a long-range receiver for 5GHz or 2.4GHz. This choice will depend on your connection and the devices you’ve plugged in.
6. Wi-Fi Scanner Made Using ESP8266
The ability to scan and analyze your Wi-Fi speed is crucial if you plan to use the internet for a major streaming or downloading session. For example, you want to know whether your web speeds are enough for Zoom or Skype calls before you start a virtual meeting.
A DIY Wi-Fi analyzer will help you in this regard since all that’s required of you is to invest a few hours of your time. You can use any ESP8266 board you already have lying around for the signal detection coupled with a suitable android app for the visualization.
7. Long Range Wi-Fi MSP/PPM
If you have a Wi-Fi MSP or PPM, you may have noticed that the range is somewhat short compared with other devices. Luckily, there’s an easy solution to this problem in the DIY space. To successfully complete this long range Wi-Fi MSP/PPM project, you’ll have to invest in an ESP8266 module.
You’ll also need to use a PC to program the setup in Arduino IDE. One key benefit of this hack is that it doesn’t rely on an external antenna.
8. Ultra-Long Range Wi-Fi Router
You don’t have to be stuck with a router that doesn’t have the necessary range to cover your entire house or apartment. Setting up an ultra-long range WiFi router is relatively easy if you have the right materials and tools. You’ll only need a microcontroller, high power antenna, and a Wi-Fi adapter.
This hack is an excellent money saver if you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars shopping for a Wi-Fi booster or extender. You can use it to turn your entire home compound into a Wi-Fi zone.
9. From Scrap to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Antenna
Scrap metal doesn’t end up in landfill. You can transform old scrap metals into a functional 2.4GHz Wi-Fi antenna with this DIY project.
The final product will boost your Wi-Fi speeds and connection stability allowing you to fully enjoy the bandwidth your ISP allocates to your account.
10. DIY 1KM Wi-Fi Antenna
Most home and office Wi-Fi connections have a relatively short range. As a result, you end up being restricted in what you can do with the signal outside a small radius around the router. But not with this amazing project, which requires just a Wi-Fi dongle, a mesh wire spoon, and a baby bottle.
Once you’re done, you’ll enjoy your Wi-Fi connection up to a distance of one kilometer. This is perfect if you live a few blocks from your office block but would still like to use the connection from home. Another possible use case is that of a rural setting, or a town where a neighborhood can share an internet connection.
Boost Your Wi-Fi Range
There you have it, 10 DIY Wi-Fi projects you can make for cheap and enjoy a long distance internet range. Most of the projects will only require you to invest in basic hand tools and a few locally available materials.
You’re already paying a premium to your ISP; it only makes sense to get the most out of the subscription. Now is the right time to maximize your Wi-Fi potential.
