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Microwave Intensifies (mander.xyz)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/science_memes@mander.xyz
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[–] 93 points 1 year ago (5 children)

It will probably reflect some of the radiation. Wifi reception will be poorer behind the aluminium and possibly better in front.

A cheapskates version of a directional antenna.

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  • [–] 40 points 1 year ago* (4 children)

    Indeed, although this type of thing was more common with older wifi generations, so I'm not surprised kids these days wont know.

    For example: We cut the top off an old beer can, poked a hole and stuck it onto the antenna to have stable download speeds across a courtyard.

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  • [–] 9 points 1 year ago

    I remember like 15 or 20 years ago the popular thing was printable papercraft doohickeys that you'd cut out and glue together with aluminum foil on the backside that were like little satellite dishes that mounted on the antennas that were supposed to boost/aim your wifi signal. I gave them a try, but if they made a difference it wasn't big enough to be noticeable.

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  • [–] 7 points 1 year ago

    Reminds me of the diy antenna made out of copper wire, an empty CD spool and a single CD on its back. Those antennas could work as far as 1km if there was no obstruction, or 400m through light obstructions. It was awesome.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    We used to do this with antennas for tvs (those circular ones) It used to work in rains too

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago*

    Yeah, one of our problems was rain and thick fog causing massive drops and even disconnects on the connection going out from the router as 2.4Ghz really doesn't like water. The antenna on our side was fine for sending signals back we just couldn't get it stable incoming, which is why we did the can trick.

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