Buidling a can antenna

Description
A can antenna or shortly cantenna is a dimension contraint antenna because not all can are good to build such an antenna. It is a directive antenna, useful for short to medium distance Point-to-Point links. For the antenna we built, we used a can with 8.30 cm diameter, 21 cm as heigth. The probe for coaxial-cable-to-waveguide transition is positioned at a distance 3.05 cm from the bottom of the can.

Materials used
-A well cleaned can of 8.3 cm of diameter and 21 cm of height
-one screw-on N-type female connector
4 cm of copper or brass wire of 2 mm of diameter
-ruler for measuring the distance with precision
-pliers
-file for metal
-soldering iron
-solder
-drill with a set of bits for metal (with a 1.5 cm diameter bit)
-vice or clamp
-spanner or monkey wrench
-hammer
-punch
Procedure

With the ruler, we measure 6.2 cm from the bottom of the can and draw a point. We used a pen to mark the point to easily drill the hole. During the operation of holing, one can take care to avoid changin the shape the shape using a wood the vice.
With a small diameter drill bit, we make a hole at the center of the plate. Increase the diameter of the hole using bits with an increasing diameter. The hole should fit exactly the N connector. Use the file to smooth the border of the hole and to remove the painting around it in order to ensure a better electrical contact with the connector.
Then we smooth with the file one end of the wire. Tin the wire for around 0.5 cm at the same end helping yourself with the vice.
With the soldering iron, tin the central pin of the connector. Keeping the wire vertical with the pliers, solder its tinned side in the hole of the central pin.
We then insert a washer and screw gently the nut on the connector. Trim the wire at 3.05 cm measured from the bottom part of the nut.
Unscrew the nut from the connector, leaving the washer in place. Insert the connector into the hole of the can. Screw the nut on the connector from inside the can.
Finally, we use the pliers or the monkey wrench to screw firmly the nut on the connector.

Measurement

After the cantenna is built, we used the spectrum analyzer to check its frequency that should be in the range of 2.400 - 2.486 Ghz. It may be also used as a feeder for a Parabolic Dish or Grid.

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