How to Increase your Cordless Phone Range
Windsurfer
Are you having trouble keeping a clear connection in the backyard? Would you like to focus the omni-directional antenna strength from your cordless phone base? To do this, you need a directional dish.
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Things You'll Need:
* Internet * Printer * Tag Board * Scissors * Razor Knife * Aluminum Foil * Spray Adhesive/Glue * Hot Glue Gun |
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 Winsurfer_EZ12
1. Decide which focusing dish will work for you. The folks at freeantennas.com have a schematic of a focusing dish called the 'Windsurfer,' free for download. This was originally designed to focus wireless internet routers. But, it'll work just as well on a cordless phone, since they use the same two frequencies (2.4 & 5.8 GHz). Printed at the download size, it should produce about 9 dBi of gain. Double that size should produce about 12 dBi of gain. If your cordless phone base has dual antennas, two dishes will improve your gain even more.
2. Print a copy on, regular 8-1/2 x 11 paper, and spray glue it to a sheet of tag board (a pizza box works just fine). Cut out the design, using a pair of scissors. Onto the back side of the rectangular section, glue a sheet of smooth aluminum foil.
3. Use a razor knife to cut through the series of six horizontal lines in the rectangular section. Cut through the 'plus signs' in the rounded section too. 4. Bend the rounded section around a cylindrical object such as a dowel rod or a broom handle. You want the 'Windsurfer' name lined up with the outside of the bend. 5. Insert the six tabs of the rounded section through the foil face of the dish, one at a time. Use a hot glue gun to glue each tab in place. Hot glue works much better than tape, for securing the tabs.  Directional Signal
6. Force the antenna through the two 'plus marks.' Slide the focusing dish down onto the antenna of your cordless phone base unit. Aim it in the direction you wish to focus the signal.
7. Try another option, if the first focusing dish seemed too technical or the antenna of your phone base is the wrong shape. Glue a sheet of aluminum foil to a piece of tag board approximately 8-1/2" by 11". Curve this to form a wide rudimentary dish which will stand on end. Place this dish on the table directly behind your telephone base unit, with the curve facing the unit in the direction you wish to focus the signal. Though not nearly as effective, this should help to improve reception.
Tips * Line of sight works best for this frequency range. Warnings * Metallic objects, including window screen and aluminum siding will cause signal interference. Copyright 04/07/2009 All Rights Reserved. Questions? Comments? Contact Me Related Articles: Computer/Internet |
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