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Hack a satellite dish into a WiFi signal booster Length 3:51
Curated 10/10/08
Updated 1/15/09 Hosted by metacafe.com
Creator's Site www.metacafe.com/channels/doczee

There are many ways to recycle a satellite dish and this is one of them. In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to hack an old satellite dish into a biquad WiFi antenna. For detailed, step-by-step instructions on building your own audio signal booster, take a look!

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+4
me252525 (3) 11/5/08 4:04 PM
what do i do with this?
+1
Amie Coué Arbuckle (111) 1/18/09 10:52 AM
install as a relay or router
+1
salamlakbaye tsegaw (-1) 2/21/11 8:45 AM
just sit and see what do u get from that ..........u.........Edythe.
+2
WOLFGUTTS (-9) 12/3/08 1:56 PM
UUUMMMMM??????
+3
thedrifting (2) 1/17/09 11:35 AM
how was the coax connected to your computer?
+1
DustinCampbell 1/21/11 7:00 AM
I have the same question i dont kno wht to do there .....thats all thats stopping me...everything else is done....i mean how do you convert RG-6 into Ethernet im confused
+1
Dan Buren 3/29/11 2:30 PM
if u have a wifi router,just take the antenae off the back theres a coax connection on it!
+1
John Figueroa 8/13/11 6:22 AM
I pretty much thought that myself... the que I have is whether or not you can modify an existing rubber ducky antenna on your router to one with a coaxil cable to use both external mounted antenna and the rubber ducky at the same time. or whether you have to change it to solely operate on the other.
+2
diablo443 (1) 1/17/09 11:54 AM
OMG Really Works !!!!!
+2
nomekop321 1/25/09 2:09 PM
where again do i put this between the modem and house input or ugh i just dont know where it would go
-1
tamivander (-1) 9/13/09 8:54 PM
how do you hook th coax cord from th sattlit dish to your computer
+6
Handymac10 (7) 1/26/09 7:29 AM
I live in the country and built this antenna 2 yrs ago, and haven't paid for internet service since. It's very directional and narrow beam but can pick up routers up to 20 miles away. It kicks a** !
-1
DeepuKJayan (-1) 12/15/10 10:51 PM
pls help me..... where shud i connect the coax?
to my laptop directly? or to a modem?
+1
Mark Huninghake 10/6/11 10:39 AM
@ Handymac10, how are you connecting to your PC? do you connect your antenna to a modem? Router? then to your PC? Very new at this and would appreciate all the help I can get. Thank you.
+2
Handymac10 (7) 10/7/11 3:28 PM
I have a wi-fi card in my desktop computer and I just put the proper connector on the cable and hook it up to the antenna jack on the card, This type antenna can also be bought online now for around $30 if you search it out known as a bi-quad
-1
poolshark (-1) 2/1/09 7:45 AM
hi im still new to this, will get the thing and diy maybe later to post it.
+1
jfal 3/27/09 7:50 PM
where will the signal come from? another user or satellite? from another dish?
+2
tarat (1) 4/16/09 1:50 AM
how far to recive single
+1
Daddy 13 (3) 4/19/09 2:40 AM
Very kool
-1
mahesh_srilanka (-1) 4/22/09 9:29 PM
very nice site
-1
killbots (-1) 5/1/09 1:55 AM
how do you hook this up to a laptop plz help
+1
Spidykoki 5/2/09 8:01 AM
Hi can you all plese send me all info about satwifi itis a choice for me

my email spidykoki@gmail.com
-2
thorpozon (-2) 5/13/09 7:35 PM
hello, i have a bit of a problem. help me out on this,. isnt it that satellite frequency is different from wifi? that means the focal lenght of the feedhorn from the disc would vary depending on the application. right? if i am getting 1800mhz which is standard of satellite broadcast, and my wifi is 2.4ghz, how is it that we used the same lenght by installing the quad to the feedhorn which is designed for satellite?shouldnt we have calculated the concentrating point of the disc to match 2.4ghz? which i think should be nearer than the set arm for the satellite reciever? please help. you can respond thru thorpozon@yahoo.com too
+1
dfgriggs 1/25/10 6:21 PM
Most types of antennas *do* have dimensions that are highly dependent upon the desired frequencies, but parabolic dishes just focus the incoming radiation to the mathematical focal point of the parabola. (And vice versa for outgoing waves.) I *think* the dish need only be considerably larger that the target wavelengths -- and you'll have no problem meeting that criterion.
-1
raphaelmpr (-2) 5/18/09 10:35 AM
awesome, i have an extra dish in my back yard, lol
+1
cire1502 5/19/09 11:33 PM
hi! can you send me a full infor about the sat wifi?please..i have already a sattelite dish..this is my email add cire1502@yahoo.com..thank you very much..
-1
beefcake1980 (1) 6/5/09 1:43 PM
How do you hook up the coax cable to system i am having troubles figuring this out please help me. I can be e-mailed at ronandmistyramer@yahoo.com thanks
+1
arnaldo27 6/11/09 3:14 PM
can I connect a router to the satellite dish wifi antenna?
my email is :sinberguenzon@yahoo.com
+1
seattled (1) 6/22/09 12:57 AM
im currently building one, I let you guys know if i works or not
+2
pecoy 6/22/09 5:50 PM
can i make one of these to pick up a free wifi spot about two blocks away and then connect it to a dlink router in order for all my devices to get signal?
+1
Icblue57 7/2/09 8:08 PM
What type of Pigtail would I need to connect the coax to a RP/SMA connector? Are you using your Dish indoors,or out?
+2
Cornelz (1) 8/1/09 2:32 AM
do i have to connect it directly to the computer or it should enter the switch first and how do you connect the coax cable to either of them is end terminated to suit the port

lilcornel@yahoo.com
+1
wifigal 8/25/09 11:32 AM
Where do I plug the coax on my notebook? mycomputerworks@ymail.com
+1
trinimaster 9/4/09 4:24 PM
can you send me full infor about the sat wifi?
my email address is trinimaster@hotmail.com
Thanks
+2
geekboy1011 (1) 9/9/09 6:43 PM
how would you connect the coax cable to what it needs to get connected to eg another router computer laptop ect

post here please
or email me at

redhotchile_lover@gmail.com (remove the under score :) me no like spam)
+1
hooklove (-1) 9/11/09 2:15 PM
i am not try yet
+1
Hunter Siege 9/19/09 5:48 PM
Please..need to know how to hook it up..many has asked and still no help..anyone who knows please help...thanks
+1
samuel pascua 6/24/10 9:29 AM
you would need a modem with a coax cable port on it. from that modem it would go into your router (receiver) and from the router to your computer. the modem is simply gonna act as a bridge between the dish and the router.
+1
DeepuKJayan (-1) 12/19/10 9:43 PM
wat signal r we recieving actually?
is it like stealing someone's wifi?
or v get a satellite signal???
+1
Hunter Siege 9/19/09 5:48 PM
Please..need to know how to hook it up..many has asked and still no help..anyone who knows please help...thanks
+1
Mark Huninghake 10/6/11 9:44 AM
you would need a modem with a coax cable port on it. from that modem it would go into your router (receiver) and from the router to your computer. the modem is simply gonna act as a bridge between the dish and the router.
+1
pulsfam 9/24/09 8:20 AM
Check out this site hope it helps http://www.skifactz.com/wifi/biquad.htm
+1
Sleepysubzero (2) 9/30/09 4:26 AM
i cant really see how you connected it to the router
+1
gklega 10/10/09 8:04 AM
how to hook the corx from the wifi antenna to your computer
-1
barakuda318 (-1) 10/16/09 4:43 AM
I will try and shed some light on the subject as it seems the author of the video may have abandoned the comment feed,.
As for the comment about the distance of the feedhorn being relative to the frequency alignment,. In theory you are correct, it would be intensley important had he been transmitting in that frequency range, However I believe he built this for reception only therefore his wrong distance will only result in a lower db gain, however if my calculations are correct he was recieveing a 24 db gain, witch is a very good gain and can result in a much needed distance boost. I would however like to see the gain we might obtain if we shorten the distance of the feedhorn relative to the dish itself, with that being said I shall address those of you who continue to ask were to hookup the other end of the coax on the computer...
For those of you using a desktop with an internall pci wifi card, most if not all of these are equiped with an external antenna jack, you should be able to find the right type of coax end that will screw into place on your antenna connector on the back of your computer, most likely at rad shack...
For those of you with laptop computers: If you use the internal wifi that comes with the laptop you are most likely out of luck, as only extremely high end laptops will include an external wifi jack with the built in wifi, However if you use a pcmia slot or usb wifi adapter there are some higher end wifi cards available that have an external antenna connector that uses the same connection end as those on the desktop computers therefore that is were you would connect the other end of the coax...
I will be building one of these antenna's and experimenting with the feedhorn distance, I will be sure to let everyone know how it turns out.. as for now I am receiving my wifi signal from about 3 miles away with a simple windfield type high gain antenna built using a 2 meter amateur antenna that is intended for the 14x.xxx mhz range, witch is no we
+1
dmumma 10/25/09 1:55 PM
Wow Finally someone that wants to help!
+1
sinel 11/1/09 6:29 AM
how the coax connect to my computer
+1
myschif 11/7/09 8:05 PM
wanted to know if this actually works both ways? can i setup a dish and connect as the reciever for my laptop and also create a second dish to work and help broadcast my router signal? so that i can maybe get more distance?
+1
Legend_of_St_Helena 11/9/09 5:00 AM
The design is a good one that combines the parabolic reflector from the satellite dish with the biquad style of sardine can fame. The important thing to remember in all of these is to get the measurements right. The 2.4GHz frequency bands require you to use fractions and multiples of the 125mm wavelength. This means 31.25mm (1/4 wavelength) pops up in the measurements often. Distance from dipole to dish also a multiple of 125mm for full wavelength. It could be argued that the height of the biquad dipole should be 1/4 wavelength above the brass sheet.

In Melbourne Australia, we have a 65km link between Mt Dandenong and the Western suburbs based on a Galaxy antenna (similar to the sat dish here) rigged up to a pineapple juice can (Golden Circle). The dipole is drilled 31mm from the base of the can (drill into the A in 'FAT CONTENT' on the label) for the exact drill point. 24dBi gain on the antenna makes it a beautiful focus on the beam. Keep the cables thick, and straight and short as possible. The signal drops off very quickly in this frequency over bent cables, thin cables, connectors, even ridges on the inside of the can. Minimise all of these and use netstumbler to experiment on the best dimensions.

Good luck and happy surfing.

http://p10.hostingprod.com/@spyblog.org.uk/rat/2006/06/rev-rats-24ghz-wavelength-formula.html
+1
jim d rice 6/14/10 10:36 AM
still wondering about whether to attempt the project or not. could be a moot point as i only have dial-up right now and can't get the video to work. but i do have a wifi hotspot about 3/4 mile away.
-1
Pedro Lopez (-1) 8/9/10 7:58 PM
ok. when finished .. I have it where I connect ?????
+1
Julio Ho 8/11/10 7:38 AM
in what distances should be the router from the wifi to connect properly? Can it find a network from a long distance???? I will be very happy to see a reply...(If made some mistakes in english, i'm sorry ...I'm from greece and dont speak very well this language.....
+2
tim faust (1) 8/28/10 11:29 AM
i believe from what i read from other sites get a router unscrew one of the antennas and screw your cable from your antenna to it
+2
Jeanine 'Jinxie' Torres (3) 9/15/10 10:02 PM
You have to buy an sma coax cable that connects to the back of the router/WAP/Range Extender where the screw on antenna used to be. SMA coax cable is just like a normal coax cable but smaller. You might want to buy two SMA coax cables because many routers and WAP/Range extenders come with two antenna's now a days. If you solder both SMA cables you can get a stronger signal.
+1
Jeanine 'Jinxie' Torres (3) 9/15/10 10:03 PM
Also, you want to make sure your router, wireless access point and/or range extender has a "repeater mode". In other words, it picks up the signal and then it repeats it back to you inside your house. Receives and transmits.
+2
Jeanine 'Jinxie' Torres (3) 9/15/10 10:06 PM
Remember, all you're doing is replacing a little itty bitty antenna to a super giant godlike monstrosity antenna.
+1
Jeanine 'Jinxie' Torres (3) 9/15/10 10:08 PM
Also, what the video doesn't state is the thickness of the copper wire. You want 1.5mm in diameter. If the wire is any thicker, it won't vibrate as much and the signal will be weak. As for the notch, you want it to be 2mm cut from the top.
-1
salamlakbaye tsegaw (-1) 11/27/10 12:26 AM
is this thing really works on all country? jeanine
+2
Jeanine 'Jinxie' Torres (3) 9/15/10 10:13 PM
There's also the possibility that your router/wap/range extender uses N Connector instead of a SMA connector. Take your router/wap/range extender to a networking professional and have them tell you what kind of connector you need before you waste your money on a cable that's incompatible.
+1
opm4me 12/18/10 7:08 PM
Well done .
+1
Thomas Sheridan 3/15/11 7:53 PM
connect it ti your navel (belly button)
+1
Hussain Kandoth 8/4/11 11:27 AM
hey plz mail me the things needed to make this wifi booster
+2
Handymac10 (7) 10/7/11 3:36 PM
just put a reverse SMA connector in the coax and connect it directly to the antenna connection on your desktop wi-fi card, if your using a laptop get a wi-fi card that has an anntena connection
+1
duggaiah katasani 10/8/11 7:42 AM
I have a dlink dwa 525 wifi pci card... How to connect to it ????
+1
James Reynolds 11/3/11 4:33 PM
Look up Alpha/alfa not sure how its spelled and build dish then connect the coax cable to the threaded cables on the wifi recvr. this is a long range usb wifi adapter so it will also increase your range.
+1
Mark tony Anthony 12/3/11 1:36 PM
Have already built antenna, do i need modem to my router or get a better router with antenna and plug in their also can I use more then one computer can I use my wireless wifi lap top after hooking up to the main computer any additional info would be much appreciated thanks
+1
Ron Rossman 2/13/12 12:03 PM
Here's my question/issue with the design... the middle coax wire is soldered to the bent copper wire is soldered to the copper pipe, which in turn is soldered to the reflector.. making the reflector part of the antenna.... but the bigger issue is the grounding outside shield of the coax is then ALSO soldered to the copper tube, in affect shorting the signal carrying internal coax conductor to the exterior coax shield. This has to be hell on the wifi radio (SWR, etc)

It would be much better in my mind to use a piece of PVC instead of the copper tubing, epoxy the bent wire to the PVC, epoxy the PVC to the reflector, and solder the coax's external shield to the reflector there by eliminating the grounding between the two coax lines (otherwise the ohm rating of the coax is nil.. which would be bad for any amp's output stage)
+1
SnapMode Tek 5/3/12 7:07 AM
Is it possible to set up a satellite with a router to send my WiFi signal in any direction I want? I want to access the fast internet that i already pay for in my local area without having to pay for additional hotspots. someone please assist me with this.
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