Procedure

These are the steps that were taken to create the directional antenna and test the ranges.

Contents

• Making the Element
• Making the Ground Plane
• Completing the Receiver
• Assembling the Satellite
• Testing the Ranges

Making the Element

Standard housing copper power wire was acquired. Wire cutters were used to cut the outer plastic covering from the wires. Of the three wires inside, the non covered copper wire was straightened. The copper wire was then measured and cut into a 244mm segment. Every 30.5mm on the copper wire a marking was made with a permanent marker. The wire was then bent at a 45 degree angle at the middle marking with two wrenches. The wire was then bent at a 45 degree angle on all of the marks to the left of the middle mark. The wire was then bent at a 45 degree angle on all of the marks to the right of the middle. This element was then placed to the side.

This flash animation shows approximately how the element was created. The seven black dots that appear originally show the places where the wire was marked, and the two dots that are shown at the end at the center represent where the two wires came down to connect to the ground plane. The copper of the element does not touch in the center.

Making the Ground Plane

A 5mm thick piece of plastic was placed in a grip. The plastic was cut with a hacksaw into a 110mm² area and had a 5/8 inch hole drilled in the centre. A 110mm² piece of copper sheeting was then cut out with tin snips and had a 5/8 inch hole drilled in it. The hole was then reamed out with file, until it was big enough for the N-type chassis jack. A second hole was drilled on the side of the centre holes in both the plastic and the copper.

One 50mm piece of copper wire was then vertically soldered to the edge of the N chassis jack connector. The other 50mm piece of copper wires was vertically soldered to the centre pin of the N connector. The holes were then resized to fit the N connector with the solder and wires. The plastic and copper sheeting were then glued together, with the copper sheeting on top, with epoxy glue. This finished the ground plane. The N connector was also glued to the bottom of the plastic.

Completing the Receiver

While the glue dried the cable was assembled. At each end, 5mm of the cable covering was stripped off. On one end the RP-SMA type connector was attached. This was done by first placing a connection cover on the wire and sliding it down the wire for later use. The connector was then pushed farther down the wire and under the covering until a connection was made. The connection was then tested with a multi-meter. The connection cover was then pushed over top of the part of connector touching the wire and was crimped on so as to secure the connection. The N-type male connector was then put on the other end in the same way. The connection was then tested again and the cable was finished.

Two 15mm high supports were made from scrap copper plating to hold the previously made element. The supports were placed on the copper sheeting and plastic. The element was placed on the supports. The element was then soldered to the two vertical copper wires on the N connector. The excess wire was then trimmed and the finished antenna was placed to the side.

Click on images above to see more detail...

Assembling the Satellite

The feed horn was removed from the satellite dish. The plastic cover was taken off the receiving end of the feed horn. A hole was drilled through the horn to allow the cord to come through and attach to the antenna receiver. The antenna receiver was then glued to the horn with epoxy glue. A stand was made for the satellite out of wood. A 2 X 2 piece of wood was sanded down until one end was thin enough to fit into holster on the satellite. The wood was put in place and secured. Three other pieces of wood were attached to the 2 X2 piece to steady the antenna.

Testing the Satellite

The router was placed in a stationary place and had the original D-link antenna attached. The Dell Insprion 6400 laptop with an internal Broadcom wireless card was moved away from the router recording signal strength at even increments of 20 Ft. away from the router to a maximum of 160 Ft. The satellite antenna was then attached to the router. The laptop was then moved away for the router recording signal strength at even increments of 20 Ft. away from the router to a maximum of 160 Ft. All results were recorded.

The receiver was then removed from the feed horn and the feed horn was cut down with a hacksaw by an inch. The receiver was then re-glued onto the feed horn.

The router was placed in a stationary place and had the original D-link antenna attached. The Dell Insprion 6400 laptop with an internal Broadcom wireless card was moved away from the router recording signal strength at even increments of 20 Ft. away from the router to a maximum of 160 Ft. The satellite antenna was then attached to the router. The laptop was then moved away for the router recording signal strength at even increments of 20 Ft. away from the router to a maximum of 160 Ft. All results were recorded.