55 Gallon Drum Cantenna

CyberSEAL · 02-15-2005

I apologize in advance for any brain cells killed by reading this post, however, I am new to this "sport" and I'm still in the process of outfitting myself with all the toys. I recently purchased a cantenna (yeh, I know I could've made one) and have been playing with it in my home (haven't actually been on a drive yet). I went from being able to detect 4 networks with my old Linksys A+G card to 14 networks with my nice new cantenna setup.

My question is, could I conceivably create a huge cantenna using a 55 gallon drum? I was just wondering if it would work, or if I'm missing something that would invalidate such a project.

I thought I could mount it to the top of my house with a remote controlled motor to pan in all directions. Then I could see all the wireless networks in my town; not sure if the HOA would be happy about it though...

I feel retarded for asking about this.

Monitr7 · 02-15-2005

Check out the antenna forum here at netstumbler.org. There's lots of useful information there. And, I'm sure that Thorn or one of the other antenna gurus will be along shortly to help. Check the above link, though.

Thorn · 02-15-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberSEAL

I apologize in advance for any brain cells killed by reading this post, however, I am new to this "sport" and I'm still in the process of outfitting myself with all the toys. I recently purchased a cantenna (yeh, I know I could've made one) and have been playing with it in my home (haven't actually been on a drive yet). I went from being able to detect 4 networks with my old Linksys A+G card to 14 networks with my nice new cantenna setup.

My question is, could I conceivably create a huge cantenna using a 55 gallon drum? I was just wondering if it would work, or if I'm missing something that would invalidate such a project.

I thought I could mount it to the top of my house with a remote controlled motor to pan in all directions. Then I could see all the wireless networks in my town; not sure if the HOA would be happy about it though...

I feel retarded for asking about this.

Short Answer: No.

Detailed Answer: So-called "cantennas" are actually called "waveguides." That is to say that the tube body actually acts as a conduit for the radio waves. The diameter of the tube in this type of antenna must be in direct relation to the wavelength of the radio signal for a waveguide to properly work. The optimum diameter for WiFi works out to about 3-5/8". (Offhand I don't recall the actual number, but search the site for Lincomatic's cantenna calculator in the Antenna FAQ Forums.)

As you can see, a 55-gallon drum is a tad larger than the diameter needed for 2.4GHz communications.

The Others · 02-15-2005

Unlcex made one:

http://forums.netstumbler.com/showthread.php?t=1604

nashr · 02-15-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Others

Unlcex made one:

http://forums.netstumbler.com/showthread.php?t=1604

I was going to look that one up and post it. Thanks for beating me to the punch.

Thorn · 02-15-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Others

Unlcex made one:

http://forums.netstumbler.com/showthread.php?t=1604

It should be pointed out that UncleX was actually making a Dobsonian telescope, and started the thread as a spoof. It wasn't actually a waveguide.

nashr · 02-15-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thorn

It should be pointed out that UncleX was actually making a Dobsonian telescope, and started the thread as a spoof. It wasn't actually a waveguide.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

wrzwaldo · 02-15-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberSEAL

...

I thought I could mount it to the top of my house with a remote controlled motor to pan in all directions. Then I could see all the wireless networks in my town; not sure if the HOA would be happy about it though...

I feel retarded for asking about this.

Do you ever get any high winds in your area? It would take a fairly stout mount to keep something like that from damaging property or killing someone. Also note that a search for "55 Gallon" returns 4 threads.

#1. this thread
#2. referenced above

and two others

streaker69 · 02-15-2005

I think I found the OP's car that he's going to mount this 55 Gallon Cantenna onto.

Dutch · 02-15-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by streaker69

I think I found the OP's car that he's going to mount this 55 Gallon Cantenna onto.

LOL.... Reminds me of the Darwin Award story, about the guy strapping a JATO unit to his car... (JATO = Jet Assisted Take Off, a selfcontained small rocket motor, used to assist heavy military aircrafts in short field take of).

Dutch

streaker69 · 02-15-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch

LOL.... Reminds me of the Darwin Award story, about the guy strapping a JATO unit to his car... (JATO = Jet Assisted Take Off, a selfcontained small rocket motor, used to assist heavy military aircrafts in short field take of).

Dutch

http://www.snopes.com/autos/dream/jato.asp

Never happened.. Plus it's one of the very first myths busted on Mythbusters.

CyberSEAL · 02-15-2005

Hehe, yeh I've seen that photo of the Honda before.

Thanks for the replies, I knew there was a technical reason for the idea being a dumb one. I shoulda searched that one first. I have a copy of your book Thorn, good stuff.

beakmyn · 02-15-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by streaker69

http://www.snopes.com/autos/dream/jato.asp

Never happened.. Plus it's one of the very first myths busted on Mythbusters.

What I liked is they couldn't get a JATO but they could get amateur rocket engines that were something like 10x more powerful then a JATO.

Everyone knows if an Impala hit a moutain it wouldn't even scratch the chrome anyway, but your record might skip

Thorn · 02-15-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberSEAL

Hehe, yeh I've seen that photo of the Honda before.

Thanks for the replies, I knew there was a technical reason for the idea being a dumb one. I shoulda searched that one first. I have a copy of your book Thorn, good stuff.

You're welcome. Speaking for the other authors as well as myself, we're glad you like the book.

02-15-2005	#1 (permalink)
CyberSEAL Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 4	55 Gallon Drum Cantenna I apologize in advance for any brain cells killed by reading this post, however, I am new to this "sport" and I'm still in the process of outfitting myself with all the toys. I recently purchased a cantenna (yeh, I know I could've made one) and have been playing with it in my home (haven't actually been on a drive yet). I went from being able to detect 4 networks with my old Linksys A+G card to 14 networks with my nice new cantenna setup. My question is, could I conceivably create a huge cantenna using a 55 gallon drum? I was just wondering if it would work, or if I'm missing something that would invalidate such a project. I thought I could mount it to the top of my house with a remote controlled motor to pan in all directions. Then I could see all the wireless networks in my town; not sure if the HOA would be happy about it though... I feel retarded for asking about this.

02-15-2005	#2 (permalink)
Monitr7 Not feeling funny... Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rebrandsoftware's mom's house... Posts: 1,699	Check out the antenna forum here at netstumbler.org. There's lots of useful information there. And, I'm sure that Thorn or one of the other antenna gurus will be along shortly to help. Check the above link, though. __________________ WTOTD Industries - Where quality is Job #3. G8tK33per doesn't care about the tarded people! -Kanye West

02-15-2005	#4 (permalink)
The Others PeaceDriver Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Dos Palabras, Mandoras Posts: 2,920	Unlcex made one: http://forums.netstumbler.com/showthread.php?t=1604 __________________ all good ends all ?u=273

02-15-2005	#9 (permalink)
streaker69 Psychic Amish Stumbler Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Virginville, BlueBall, Bird In Hand, Intercourse, Paradise, PA Posts: 11,839	I think I found the OP's car that he's going to mount this 55 Gallon Cantenna onto. __________________ "One of these days, I'm going to cut you to pieces." If you're offended by this post, please feel free to report it to one of the many helpful moderators of this forum. Thank you.

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02-15-2005	#12 (permalink)
CyberSEAL Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 4	Hehe, yeh I've seen that photo of the Honda before. Thanks for the replies, I knew there was a technical reason for the idea being a dumb one. I shoulda searched that one first. I have a copy of your book Thorn, good stuff.