Total: £13.37
How to Build your own Cantenna
How to Build your Own Cantenna.
Cantennas make good reference antennas. The gain is always close to 8.5dBi. So, when correctly designed they have very low loss and so work surprisingly well.
The cans must be exactly the right diameter for them to work effectively. To ensure accuracy, if the can is different than shown in the drawings, then take the measurements from the closed side and trim as needed.
2.4 GHz Build Your Own Cantenna – for WiFi Bands (BandWidth is from 1.9 GHz to 2.5 GHz).
This requires a 117 x 100 mm can. (Larger food tins are usually suitable such as potato, larger dog food tins).
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Kit connectors have the correct length probe and do not need to be adjusted. It is also supplied with screws and nuts.
Patch Leads
A patch lead will also be required.
For Example: RP-SMA to N type Assembly or RP-TNC to N Type Assembly
Further details see Article: connector identification.
Mounting the cantenna.
Screw the base directly to a suitable bracket, or alternately drill a couple of holes in the base and thread a cable tie through and attach to the mounting pole.
When the antenna is used outside, position the cantenna so the connector is at the top and add drainage holes (approx 4mm on the opposite side). And alternatively, you can paint the outside and tape cling film or plastic, preferably UV resistant, over the opening to keep out water. (Injecting foam, such as for use in cavity walls or used in packaging depts into the inner is an acceptable alternative.
Customer feedback highlighting installation errors to avoid:
“I wrote back to Peter say the Cantenna decreased my signal strength. WhenI took it apart as I had noticed that the can was in contact with the “pickup” probe. I widened the hole and now have a constant 10db improvement over the signal strength without the Cantenna. Thanks for a cheap, practical solution, Regards, P. Robinson”
Using the RFShopUK Cantenna Kit, ensures the probe is already the correct length, simply follow the drilling directions shown in the diagram.
Field Plot of 2.45GHz Cantenna.
The above design was analysed by the CST (Computer Simulation Technology) Microwave Studio (MWS) program.
Plot below is courtesy of CST. www.cst.com
3.5 GHz Build Your Own Cantenna – suitable for 5G Usage.
This cantenna uses the standard size tins used for soup, beans,etc (400g approx).
3.5GHz Cantenna Kit – Datasheet.
5.8 GHz Build Your Own Cantenna.
Smaller food tins such as Baby Food, Tomato Puree etc.
Typical VSWR Plot of 5.8 GHz Cantenna
5.8GHz Cantenna with N connector in situ.
Posted By
Peter Martin