Increase Wi-Fi Range With Aluminum Foil?
OK Techies....
After reading a crazy article this morning, is there anyone out there willing to try an experiment for all of us?
This article seems to imply that range AND security can be increased with something as simple as aluminum foil (and possibly beer cans....Like - Who has one of those?). I'm a skeptic for sure but if I had Wi-Fi, I'd try this just for fun. What if it really works?:
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/researchers-discover-aluminum-foil-actually-100453865.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/dc-aw110717.php
Finally, something I actually know about. This is in fact very true, and is used widely today. Best example I have is in a park model trailer where I used simple ubiquiti access points to share internet a little over 2km. This was not a clean line of sight and skipped through some frosted areas. The secret was using reflectors and antennas. I surrounded the back side of the antenna with an older dish satellite reflector. No arm, no lnb. The theory is the same as the article by shaping the signal and reflecting it you maximize your strength and pin point your direction.
What is unique in the article is the use of a home 3D printer and the opportunity to share shaping reflectors so people can print and reply them at home. imagine a reflector thats focus in a specific direction and you can control the signal to go up to doors and not down to the ground. Most people put there wifi access point again a wall, or a cabinet. If using a traditional antenna at least 1/2 of your signal is heading into that wall and whatever is beyond it. In many cases your neighbours house. To really optimize your signal without the use of a reflector you need to place it upside down, as high and in the centre of the area you need to cover.
On my Redwood I use a higher power extender with a 3 foot 8dbi antenna. I can join networks 1/4 mile to 1/2 mile away easily. If I have unobstructed line of site, i have done a mile. If I were to use a targeted reflector I could stretch that to multiple miles. Think of this way, 1/4 mile in all directions or 1 mile in one direction.
