cantenna question

I'm putting together a cantenna like the one here:
http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html

The instructions say to use 12 gauge copper wire for the N-connector.
The photo shows solid wire. I have some 12 gauge twisted copper wire.
Will that work?

Also, the writer says the can's dimensions are important. The one I
want to use it 4" diameter x 6" length (the calculator says to put the
N-connector 1.72 inches from the bottom). Are those good dimensions or
should I look for another can? Thx.

sillyputty <karmictaragem@2die4.com> hath wroth:

>I'm putting together a cantenna like the one here:
>http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html
>
>The instructions say to use 12 gauge copper wire for the N-connector.
>The photo shows solid wire. I have some 12 gauge twisted copper wire.
>Will that work?

No. It's not mechanically stable enough. It will move around,
untwist, fall over, and cause problems. Use solid wire.

>Also, the writer says the can's dimensions are important. The one I
>want to use it 4" diameter x 6" length (the calculator says to put the
>N-connector 1.72 inches from the bottom). Are those good dimensions or
>should I look for another can? Thx.

The position of the probe varies somewhat with the can dimensions. The
URL you mentioned in includes a calculator. Use it. Looks like 6" is
a bit short. Also see calculator at:
<http://www.saunalahti.fi/elepal/antenna2.html>
<http://www.saunalahti.fi/elepal/antenna2calc.php>

See list of suitable cans and calculator near bottom of:
<http://flakey.info/antenna/waveguide/>

More cantenna calculators:
<http://securitystartshere.net/page-training-oswa-cantenna-calculator.htm>
<http://www.csgnetwork.com/antennawncalc.html>



--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

sillyputty <karmictaragem@2die4.com> wrote:
> I'm putting together a cantenna like the one here:
> http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html

> Also, the writer says the can's dimensions are important. The one I
> want to use it 4" diameter x 6" length (the calculator says to put the
> N-connector 1.72 inches from the bottom). Are those good dimensions or
> should I look for another can? Thx.

The same calculator that says 1.72" for the probe also says 5.15 as the 3/4
length, which is explained in the text just below as the minimum
desireable, so you should be okay at 6" in length. It would be better to
be a full wavelength, listed in the chart as 6.87, but you have what you
have. You could solder two of your cans together to get more length.

In the real world, my two-can cantenna seemed to be a little stronger, but
too directional. It was tripod mounted by soldering a 1/4-20 nut to the
outside, but it would drift off target.

Bob Alston used a single coffee can.

My user preferred a single larger coffee can. Not as strong, but more
stable. The "3lb" can is 6" in diameter, which is too low in frequency
range according to the calculator, but more acceptable in use.

Bob Alston's coffee can
http://members.cox.net/tulsaalstons/Computer.htm
"My Tin Cantenna"

Clarence Dold's two coffee can picture
http://www.rahul.net/dold/clarence/u...42-800x600.jpg



--
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5