Here we have yours truly demonstrating a quick and easy way to greatly enhance your computer's ability to detect and connect to Wi-Fi networks both near and far with a piece of Asian parabolic cookware. Yes, the steamer basket we used is perhaps not the most Asian member of the parabolic cookware family, but this project is most famously done using a wok or deep-fry strainer, and the term stuck. Basically anything parabola-shaped and made of metal soft enough to puncture will work to some extent—experimentation will determine which yields the best pickup.
And if you want to get really precise, you can plot the focal point of your improvised antenna and position the Wi-Fi USB stick there for greater reception. Much more info can be found here. —John Mahoney
As always, our 5 Minute Projects are available in video podcast form—subscribe here.
It's not a practical joke! "WokFi" antenna certainly work (ahem- wok?!)well,with even simple setups like this doubling range. For in depth insights & field tests see the mad Kiwi "poor man's" site => www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz
Posted by: Manuka | October 16, 2007 at 03:55 PM
Warning! Nitpick ahead!
In the video (database loading) cookware is spelled 'cookwear'. As in something you wear. Party wear. Swim wear. etc.
Posted by: JoeP | October 19, 2007 at 04:52 PM
Not really that good of a demo. Yeah, the project was completed in 5 minutes, but no demo! And for optimal reception you're going to want to have the antenna at the focal center of the parabola. How do you figger that one out? I know but I'm not telling (haha)
Posted by: officedespot | October 20, 2007 at 06:34 PM
Hey Joe,
Guess thats why it's Popular Science and not Popular Spelling. :)
Posted by: The_Dark_Knight | November 04, 2007 at 02:46 PM
this project reminds me of a similar-looking wifi hack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY8Wi7XRXCA
Posted by: Some Guy | November 11, 2007 at 08:01 AM