Tired of having to stick to one corner of your living room or compound just to use your phone because cellular reception in your area is practically non-existent? Love hiking but can’t afford to stay disconnected while you’re out chasing waterfalls and sunsets? If your answer is yes to either of the questions, then a homemade cell phone signal booster is just what you need.
A DIY cell phone signal booster amplifies the nearest signal, improving your phone’s reception. But most cost $400 or more, which makes creating your own a good way to cut costs. We’ve listed eight genius DIY cell phone signal booster ideas for inspiration.
What Is a Cell Phone Signal Booster and How Does it Work?
A cell phone signal booster is a device used to amplify the signal in a particular location. They are often used in areas where the cell phone signal is weak or in buildings where the signal is blocked by walls or other obstacles.
The homemade cell phone signal booster works by amplifying the incoming signal and then transmitting it to the phone, allowing for better reception and improved call quality. Boosters also work in reverse, meaning they’ll pull outgoing signals from your cellular devices and rebroadcast them to the closest cell tower.
Some cell phone signal boosters are designed for use in a specific location, such as a home or office, while others are portable and can be used on the go.
1. Cheap and Simple GSM Signal Booster
You don’t need a huge budget or complicated items to make this homemade cell phone antenna. Just get any copper wire you have lying around, a magnetic GSM antenna, and then follow the step-by-step guide illustrated in the video above to create your signal booster.
The result? A highly effective booster for 2G, 3G, 4G to LTE cell phone signals, so you never have to deal with dropped calls regardless of where you might be.
2. Homemade Portable 4G LTE Signal Booster
Only need a 4G DIY cell phone signal booster? Well, making one isn't rocket science. You’ll use easy-to-find items for the project, such as an iron wire, a magnet to confirm that the wire is made of iron, a screwdriver, a scale to take measurements, and a TV cable wire.
Start by straightening the wire, bending it at 45 degrees, and following the step-by-step YouTube tutorial above.
3. Iron Hanger Signal Booster
Did you know you can make a homemade cell phone signal booster out of an iron coat hanger? And the process is pretty straightforward. Simply straighten the hanger, peel off its insulation using a razor blade, bend it to form a rhombus shape, and then complete the process as shown in the YouTube tutorial.
And if that didn't kill enough of your time, check out these other simple DIY gadget projects you can work on to beat the weekend boredom.
4. Cell Phone Signal Booster Using PCB
If you’re sick of lousy cell phone reception and have a knack for technical projects, this PCB-based DIY cellphone signal booster is perfect for you. It’ll take a little more time to complete than the other projects here, but once you’re done you’ll have a signal booster capable of amplifying 2G to 4G network signals.
It’s undoubtedly worth the effort, plus the tutorial is pretty straightforward and even includes links to more detailed tutorials. Check out how to solder wires and electronics to make this project easier.
5. Multiuse Signal Booster
Got multiple cell phones that need signal boosting? Make this multiuse homemade cell phone antenna, and skip the costs of buying an expensive multiuse repeater. For this project, you’ll need copper coils, a transistor, a 30pF variable capacitor, pairs of 200K, 2.2K, and 100 ohm resistors, a 27pF capacitor, 20MHz crystal oscillator, an LED to indicate when it’s working, and a PCB board to put it all together.
The supplies shouldn’t cost you much, plus it’s way cheaper than commercial options. The best part? Once you create the copper coils (by winding them on a screwdriver), all you need to do is mount everything, and your multiuse signal booster will be ready to use.
6. Aluminum Foil Signal Booster
Iron coat hanger signal boosters are easy to make, but what’s even easier is an aluminum foil booster. All you need to do is wrap a piece of copper wire with foil. Then chop one end off a 3.5mm RCA cable and strip the insulation, tape that end to the wire in the foil, and connect the other end with the jack to your phone to boost the signal.
It’s simple to make and highly portable, meaning you can bring it on your camping trips. Most importantly, it’s highly effective because the aluminum foil concentrates signals towards your phone, increasing signal range and performance.
7. Homemade Phone Antenna Using a Copper Cable
For this project, you’ll need to peel half a meter of copper cable to remove the insulation and then use it to create a circuit, as illustrated in the video above. Once complete, stick the circuit to a large enough piece of tape, ensure you cover the other end in tape too, attach it to the back of your phone, and voilà!
You now have a discreet homemade cell phone booster you can take with you wherever you go, so you never have to complain about poor network and Wi-Fi signals again.
8. Mobile Signal Booster Using a Can
If you're still weighing your options, this DIY cell signal booster might tickle your fancy. And it’s one of the easiest to make too. Simply remove the bottom of your last soda can, cut out the body as illustrated in the video (taking care to avoid the sharp edges), line it with a piece of aluminum foil, and then place your phone inside to boost the signal.
Again, it works because the foil pushes signals towards your phone, which boosts the strength of Wi-Fi and cell network signals.
Perks of DIYing a Cell Phone Signal Booster
Besides zero dead zones, here are some more benefits of making a homemade cell phone signal booster.
It Cuts Costs
Commercial signal boosters do an excellent job eliminating dead zones, but most come with quite the price tag: from around $400 to $800. A DIY cell phone signal booster cuts the cost significantly. In some instances, such as the soda can technique and the aluminum foil option above, you’ll not spend even a dime, yet you get to enjoy improved signals.
Longer Battery Run Times
Nothing drains your phone’s battery life faster than poor network reception. When the signal is poor, your phone tries to make up for it by amplifying its signal reception. This only speeds up battery drain and affects your phone’s ability to hold the charge for longer since you’ll need to recharge often. Learning how to make a cell phone signal booster helps you eliminate the problem.
Where Should I Place a DIY Cell Phone Signal Booster?
The best place to install a cell phone signal booster will depend on the type of homemade booster you choose to build and the layout of your home or office. In general, it is best to install the booster as close to the area where you need improved coverage as possible. It should be placed in an open, central location, away from any metal objects or electronic devices that could interfere with the signal.
If the booster is portable, you can move it to different locations to find the best spot for coverage. It is generally best to keep the DIY cell phone signal booster close to your phone, as this will help to maximize the signal strength.
Do Cell Phone Signal Boosters Work in Areas With No Signal?
A homemade cellphone signal booster is designed to improve reception in areas with poor cellular signals. However, it does not have the ability to create a signal out of thin air. Instead, it relies on an existing signal in order to amplify it and improve reception.
However, it is important to note that just because your phone's service strength indicator shows no bars does not necessarily mean that there is no signal present. Try using a cell phone signal booster to see if it can detect and amplify a faint signal that your phone is otherwise unable to access.
Make a Homemade Cell Phone Signal Booster Today
As shown by most of the examples here, a cell phone signal booster is one of the easiest DIY projects you’ll ever take on. You can opt for a simple and portable one like the four-minute phone signal booster antenna, or if you love challenges, make one using a PCB. Whichever DIY cell signal booster you opt to build, you should find that it improves your reception.