Modern technology has influenced the fact that almost every home has a computer or laptop, which is connected to the World Wide Web. For unhindered access to the Internet, users often use a powerful 3G-modem, which in certain conditions catches the Web poorly. Not everyone can buy a specialized reinforced antenna, which makes it necessary to build a USB extension cable with your own hands.
Principle of operation
To build a quality USB extension cable with your own hands, you need to know how it works. First of all, the master must determine the length of the future product. Using a standard extension cord, you can connect remote devices at a distance of 5 meters or more. Experts describe such devices as passive products. But in most cases, this length is not enough to solve the task, since it is not always possible to locate a printer, scanner or any other peripheral device in close proximity to the computer. You can fix the problem if you make a USB extension cable yourself. A special circuit allows you to multiply the signal, due to which you can connect any unit that is located at a distance of 50 meters from the PC. To achieve the desired result, you must use the USB 2.0 protocol. The extension cord functions stably without installing additional programs, which does not affect the state of the computer.
Key points
First of all, it should be noted that you can make a USB extension cable with your own hands only if the master already has minimal experience with radio equipment and electrical appliances. Otherwise, it is better not to waste your free time, but to immediately purchase an already finished product in a specialized store. For work, you definitely need a classic USB cable of short length. It is best if it has a special ferrite core, which will qualitatively absorb incoming high-frequency interference. Such a piece of material can be bought on any radio market at a symbolic price. For work, you will also need a UTP cable belonging to the high categories (5e, 6, 6e). The speed of the devices at the opposite end will directly depend on this.
Factory models
If the master cannot make a 15-meter USB extension cable with his own hands, then it is better to buy a finished product. Specialized models include two ports at once, which significantly reduces the voltage drop in the conductors. Such extension cords are actively used by many users to connect external optical drives, modems, as well as other gadgets. In addition to them, active extenders can be found on sale, in which manufacturers provided for the presence of a signal repeater circuit.
Operating parameters
A self-made USB extension cable with power allows you to connect products over a long distance. The master needs to take into account the fact that the quality of the transmitted information depends on the length. Factory models have a maximum length of 5 meters, but home-made cables can reach 50 meters. Special attention should always be given to attenuation. The wire itself consists of four copper wiring, two of which are responsible for power, and the rest conduct the signal. All of them are enclosed in a special braid, which qualitatively shields data transmission from external electromagnetic signals. It is worth noting that the different ends of the cable are physically oriented. Using a cable, an interface is formed for the exchange of information between the USB tail and any other device.
Classic design
To build your own USB extension cable, you must first prepare wire cutters or scissors to cut the cable. High-quality wire stripping is carried out by special devices, but in their absence, you can do with a classic kitchen knife. Reliable fixation is carried out with a soldering iron, rosin and solder. It is worth noting that in this case, twisting is simply unacceptable, since there is a lot of resistance. Heat shrink tubes can be used to isolate solder joints. An ordinary insulating tape is also suitable. First of all, the master will cut the cable into pieces of the required length and part all the ends. A standard USB cable has four wires, but UTP has eight. Each pair is individually soldered to the USB conductor, but with the colors. At the final stage, you must definitely check to see if there are any torn sections left. Heat shrink tubes move to the soldering points and are heated by a building hair dryer until they are fully seated. After complete cooling, all the conductors are collected in a single bundle and again insulated. Before you connect a DIY USB extension cable for the first time, you must check all the contacts with a tester.
Supplementary Product
If the master plans to make an improved type of USB extension cable, then he needs to adhere to all the recommendations of specialists. A cable with additional power supply is excellent if the finished product is longer than 15 meters. The classic version in such a situation will be extremely unstable. All manipulations practically coincide with the traditional method of manufacturing an extension cord, only the red wire from the computer is not connected to the socket, but an additional 5 V from an external source is supplied to it. This DIY manufacturing option of a USB extension cable for a modem is highly appreciated among specialists, since the quality of the final connection is at the highest level.
Work with twisted pair
To work, you need a sufficient amount of wire, shielded foil, a heat shrink tube, two connectors of type AM and AF, as well as electrical tape. You also need to prepare a soldering iron, side cutters, knife, flux, solder. The process of making a twisted-pair USB extension cable with your own hands begins with pairing and aligning the ends of the wire. Using a knife, carefully remove the upper shell together with the foil at a distance of a maximum of one centimeter. The connection of wires should be carried out according to the following scheme: green-white - with orange-white, green - with orange. Everything is carefully soldered. It is necessary to cut the shrink tube into several parts of 5 cm in advance. Each piece is put on a twisted pair. After checking the tester, you can turn on the modem.
Effective Signal Amplification
To implement this idea, the master will need a small sheet of aluminum. If this material is not available, then ordinary foil can be used. You will also need an extension cord and improvised tools. The sheet of metal must be bent into a small arc, which will strengthen the reception. In the center you need to build a mount for the modem. The prepared structure is fixed outside the window. The reflector must be directed towards the tower of the main operator. The modem is attached to the holder and connect the extension cord. Such a product is perfect for amplifying the signal. It is worth noting that this option is not suitable for those who live in an apartment on the ground floor, since attackers can simply steal equipment. It is better to hide the structure at night. You can buy a finished product that is designed to enhance the signal. The choice always depends on the wishes of the user.