On Sat, 25 Aug 2007 02:49:04 -0700, sillyputty
<karmictaragem@2die4.com> wrote:

>I'm still searching for the 'perfect' can for a cantenna. I've got the
>N-connector and pigtail ready to go. So far, I haven't found one that
>matches the dimensions on: http://www.saunalahti.fi/elepal/antenna2.html
>
>The closest I've found, so far, is a V8 juice can that measures 4 1/4"
>x 7". I'm hitting the grocery store with a ruler tomorrow. :) Also, he
>says the sides and bottom should be smooth. I haven't found a can yet
>that's completely smooth. They all seem to have 'ripples,' that I
>assume increases metal strength? Could aluminum foil, glued to card
>stock to prevent crinkles, be used to cover the inside to make it
>smooth in lieu of a smooth sided can? This would also narrow the
>length some what. Thanks again.
My cantennas here at home are 83.5mm diameter and 186mm
length, and 156mm diameter and 180mm length. The probe of both is 31mm
copper wire, thick enough to fit +- snuggly into the hole in the
connector, then soldered in. Both cans have ripples all down the side.

The placement of the probe varies according to the diameter of
the can.
Both work pretty well, (the narrower tin maybe a little
better), for web browsing, but I sometimes get errors when downloading
big files. For real use I have a big parabolic. The cans are more like
an experiment.
I read somewhere that optimum would be a 90mm diameter can
with a length of 200mm or longer. Aim for 90mm.
I'd love to make one of stainless steel, to the best
dimensions .... mine rust. Will have to find time to go to a junkyard
:P
FWIW ....