WokFi (a portmanteau derived from blending Wok + Wi-Fi) is a term now commonly used to indicate a style of Wi-Fi antenna made out of simple low-cost Asian cookware scoops, or similar easy-to-find household metallic reflective items.
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WokFi antennas can be fabricated out of commonly available scoop-shaped utensils (which need not be perfectly parabolic) in conjunction with a USB Wi-Fi dongle. This approach is considered simpler and cheaper than classical home-built antenna projects (such as the popular cantenna), but is a very effective method to boost the Wi-Fi connection quality, audit access point coverage, and even quickly establish WLAN viability – perhaps if a more professional setup is eventually intended.
A significant advantage is that regular cheap USB passive extension cables can be used for five-meter (and sometimes greater) runs, with no concerns over proprietary fittings or microwave signal losses (such as when costly coaxial cable is used), since the USB communication operates in the 'slower' digital domain with standardised connectors. Chaining active USB repeaters and passive cables, it is possible to extend the connection even more (tens of metres), which is especially useful with Wi-Fi's microwave frequencies when line-of-sight (LOS) obstacles (such as vegetation and walls) need to be cleared. If using mesh reflectors, usually with a grid under 5 mm, the antenna will be lighter and less wind-prone than larger dishes.
WokFi gains are typically 12–15 dB, with range boosts, thus 4–6 times over a bare USB adapter. Ranges (LoS) are typically 3–5 km,[1] although an aligned pair of similar point-to-point transceiver setups may approach 10 km over a clear path. In addition, certain improved WokFi antennas, and antennae made using surplus 2-foot- to 3-foot-diameter round or oval satellite TV dishes, allow even far greater range, up to 20 km.[2] Interference from nearby 2.4 GHz signals (perhaps from cordless phones, AV links, leaky microwave ovens, other APs or Bluetooth) can also be nulled out—a useful feature in this increasingly crowded spectrum portion. Additionally, the performance of abundant low-powered Wi-Fi "dongles", typically selling for approximately US$15–20, but of only 30–40 mW transmitter power and modest receiver sensitivity, can be easily boosted with little more than cheap cookware or pot lids. The "sweet spot" on such ad hoc reflectors can readily be found by bringing the Sun's rays to a focal point, by taping a little ~ 1" mirror bit on the surface of the dish, to see where the sun's rays focus.