The building steps are simple: 1. Print out the scaled Yagi antenna template* (download from next step). Trim paper clips to size and glue them to the template. Use Popsicle sticks to build the antenna's backbone and hold it together. Connect the USB device to the antenna. *I used a Yagi modeler java applet to generate the diagram. This modeler applet is found on many websites (google 'yagi modeler') and its owner is.
The modeler gives a diagram and the elements' lengths and position. I carefully scaled the diagram and turned it into a template in order to make the building process easy. You can visit awesome website to get more details on using the modeler for this 15 element Yagi and other fine antenna projects, such as a 20 element WIFI Yagi. The most essential point in printing the template is getting the correct scale. In the attached zip file below, are three png picture files.
The antenna is longer than an Letter sized or A4 sized paper. So you have to print the template in two parts (labeled part1 and part2 in the zip file). I have also included the full sized unsplit template if your printer can handle large enough paper. PRINTING: Make sure to set your printer's properties to ORIGINAL SIZE (not 'best fit to page' ect.). Set the print orientation to LANDSCAPE. VERIFYING SCALE: Use a ruler or caliper to measure if the print is of correct scale.
Long story short, I need a long range indoor antenna to provide full wifi bars in any part of my house (70 ft indoors).I was thinking about buying. This antenna will extend the range of your WiFi or 2.4GHz devices (like surveillance cameras) into many miles and kilometers. A yagi antenna is basically a telescope for radio waves.
You will notice vertical bars crossing the horizontal line. The vertical bars represent the Yagi 'elements' which will be made from paperclips.
The horizontal line is the backbone of the antenna which will be build out of popsicle sticks. You will also notice numbers next to the elements. These numbers are in pairs.
The first number is the length of the element in millimeters. The second number, is the distance from the start of the diagram to the element, in millimeters. Measure the size and position of a couple of elements on each prints. If your measurements match the numbers on the diagrams, then your print is to scale and you may proceed. Accuracy need not to be tight for the antenna to perform well. Now superimpose both prints, until they match at around element 10 or 11, and tack them together with scotch tape or white glue.
Attachments •. You have to trim the paper clips with a nibbler or plier to fit the vertical bars ('elements'). This is fairly straight forward. Lay the paper clip on the template's element and mark the ends with a marker. Snip at the marking.
Make sure that each element fits correctly the length of the bar on the diagram. Fix the elements in place with crazy glue. Leave element #2 for later. This is the element that connects to the electronics and is called 'the driven element' (as in being driven by electronics). The 'driven element' in a Yagi antenna, is usually the second one from the start. It is the element that connects to the USB WIFI or 2.4 GHZ electronics. It is a broken loop and not a straight wire.
A loop of wire resonates at a specific radio frequency depending on its dimensions. The dimensions of the driven element in this antenna is set at 2.4GHz, of course. It just happens that its about the size of a common big paper clip. You need to clip the paperclip so that it loops around and meet in the center but the end not touching, leaving a gap (see photo). Fix it in place with crazy glue and build the back bone around it.
The building steps are simple: 1. Print out the scaled Yagi antenna template* (download from next step). Trim paper clips to size and glue them to the template. Use Popsicle sticks to build the antenna's backbone and hold it together. Connect the USB device to the antenna. *I used a Yagi modeler java applet to generate the diagram. This modeler applet is found on many websites (google 'yagi modeler') and its owner is.
The modeler gives a diagram and the elements' lengths and position. I carefully scaled the diagram and turned it into a template in order to make the building process easy. You can visit awesome website to get more details on using the modeler for this 15 element Yagi and other fine antenna projects, such as a 20 element WIFI Yagi. The most essential point in printing the template is getting the correct scale. In the attached zip file below, are three png picture files.
The antenna is longer than an Letter sized or A4 sized paper. So you have to print the template in two parts (labeled part1 and part2 in the zip file). I have also included the full sized unsplit template if your printer can handle large enough paper. PRINTING: Make sure to set your printer's properties to ORIGINAL SIZE (not 'best fit to page' ect.). Set the print orientation to LANDSCAPE. VERIFYING SCALE: Use a ruler or caliper to measure if the print is of correct scale.
Long story short, I need a long range indoor antenna to provide full wifi bars in any part of my house (70 ft indoors).I was thinking about buying. This antenna will extend the range of your WiFi or 2.4GHz devices (like surveillance cameras) into many miles and kilometers. A yagi antenna is basically a telescope for radio waves.
You will notice vertical bars crossing the horizontal line. The vertical bars represent the Yagi 'elements' which will be made from paperclips.
The horizontal line is the backbone of the antenna which will be build out of popsicle sticks. You will also notice numbers next to the elements. These numbers are in pairs.
The first number is the length of the element in millimeters. The second number, is the distance from the start of the diagram to the element, in millimeters. Measure the size and position of a couple of elements on each prints. If your measurements match the numbers on the diagrams, then your print is to scale and you may proceed. Accuracy need not to be tight for the antenna to perform well. Now superimpose both prints, until they match at around element 10 or 11, and tack them together with scotch tape or white glue.
Attachments •. You have to trim the paper clips with a nibbler or plier to fit the vertical bars ('elements'). This is fairly straight forward. Lay the paper clip on the template's element and mark the ends with a marker. Snip at the marking.
Make sure that each element fits correctly the length of the bar on the diagram. Fix the elements in place with crazy glue. Leave element #2 for later. This is the element that connects to the electronics and is called 'the driven element' (as in being driven by electronics). The 'driven element' in a Yagi antenna, is usually the second one from the start. It is the element that connects to the USB WIFI or 2.4 GHZ electronics. It is a broken loop and not a straight wire.
A loop of wire resonates at a specific radio frequency depending on its dimensions. The dimensions of the driven element in this antenna is set at 2.4GHz, of course. It just happens that its about the size of a common big paper clip. You need to clip the paperclip so that it loops around and meet in the center but the end not touching, leaving a gap (see photo). Fix it in place with crazy glue and build the back bone around it.