In the great tradition of DIY wireless comes another project underway in Mali. The project is investigating best practices for building small DIY antennas and router enclosures at low-cost to serve the Malian television and WiFi markets. Designs were taken from numerous sources and adapted to use materials readily available in Mali such as plastic water bottles (peep the "BottleNet" antenna at right), used motorbike valve stems, and window screen mesh. Goals included reducing cost and making assemblages simple enough to require little technical skill. For about $40 per antenna, the project could end up satisfying most of the needs of the WiFi market in Mali. Want to piggy-back off your neighbor's broadband? Start saving your bottles.

[Via Smart Mobs]