Basic question for the RF inclined... Improving an antenna by connecting it to the ground of a 3-pro

[Michael McNabb]

I had a thought the other night. My wireless keyboard has limited
range when my Home Theater PC (HTPC) is enclosed in a cabinet. I have
already tapped into the keyboard receiver to access the antenna trace
on the circuit board by adding a long wire which I string away and
outside of the cabinet. This improved the range. Then I had my
thought, what about wiring my external antenna wire into the ground of
a 3-prong power outlet. I thought about testing the voltage and
current between the antenna wire and ground prong but decided what the
heck it is suppose to be grounded. Well, the range is well extended
now, but I am wondering what are the risks? I am probably risking
damage to my keyboard receiver but so far it works great. I am a very
amateur electronics person so I know some stuff but I don't know what
would be the best solution to protecting the receiver from damage, if
it is needed at all. My questions are why shouldn't I do this, what
are the risks, and is there anyway to do this while minimizing the
risks?

Also, what about 802.11b? I am thinking that is even more risky since
the AP is both a receiver and transmitter and grounding the
transmitter signal would probably diminish its range substantially.

Thanks!

 

[SumGie]

Hmmmm.... whatever works, I guess. That antenna trace was tuned to a
specific frequency. By adding a wire, you de-tuned it. I would have
expected this would make it less effective, not more. Then you grounded it.
This should have killed any signal. But apparently both actions had the
opposite effect to that which I would have expected. But then, I'm not a
communications expert, so.... whatever works. Having it grounded shouldn't
hurt it as far as I know.

Of course, with the wire added, you're no longer "wireless", now are you?
Might as well buy a normal keyboard if you are going to tether yourself
anyway.