While researching the construction of a long range 2.4 GHz link, I ran into a very interesting page detailing the theory and construction of slotted waveguide antennas. These strange looking and simple-to-make devices offer performance equal to or better than the best commercial antennas. Antenna gain of 15 dBi is pretty common.
Always up for a geeky challenge, I arranged for one of my local machine shops to get me some aluminum tubing. I found some inexpensive pre-made cables on eBay. And coincidentally I just purchased a new hotrod CNC milling machine for my company's machine shop. I should have some antennas made by next week. Once I get everything together I'll see if I can talk Craig into testing a long range link with me.
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