Are you struggling with dropped calls, unsent messages, or slow data connections? It would be best to consider making a DIYcell phone signal booster. While manufactured cell phone signal boosters can solve these problems, their price can burden most people. You don’t have to worry anymore as the article has covered you! This guide discusses making a DIY cell phone signal booster to improve your cell signals.
Unfortunately, when driving a distance between cities, you may anticipate that you would have a lousy or even non-existent cell signal. Yet, surprisingly, many Americans complain that they regularly cannot even get a signal inside their own homes or offices. There is no doubt you have, from time to time, tried to look for ways how to boost cell signals at home for free, and none of them seems to work for you.
Not to mention the instances when an emergency comes and an urgent phone call becomes indispensable! That is unerringly why this web page thought it would delight all of our readers to have some information on how to make their own DIY cell phone signal boosters. Would it not be?
What are the basics of DIY signal boosting?
Generally, DIY signal boosting is universally employed as a tip to improve the strength of the cell signal being received by your cellphone. It is worth noting that this does not mean to imply that a DIY booster can alter the signal.
For instance, it is impossible to employ a signal booster and a homemade cell phone antenna to alter a cell signal from 3G to 4G status. However, these DIY boosters have proven most effective in rural areas where cell signals are continuously spotty.
It is also essential to note that this signal booster will not be operational if a material obstruction limits its access to a signal. Therefore, if you live in an underground concrete room, no signal boosters, even commercial ones, can improve your cell signal connectivity.
What are some ways to make a DIY cell phone signal booster?
There are many methods to make a DIY cell phone signal booster. Some require pretty simple changes to one or two of the needed materials. Let’s discuss a few of them.
i) Twist Tie Signal Booster
A straightforward and effective way to boost your cell signal involves using twist ties. You only need to take the ones off the bread bag and note that the longer ones work suitably. This type of booster works for mobile phones with an antenna stub and takes about thirty seconds.
Beginning at the lower end of the antenna stub, wrap the twist tie around it for some time, having an inch or two of length extended beyond the end of the stub. This extends the antenna, improving signal strength and constancy. Tie the wrapped end with tape in place to secure it.
ii) Internal antenna extension
For this DIY cell phone signal booster, begin by sliding the back off the cellphone. Get into the interior antenna port. Employing an insulated magnet wire, cut about a half-inch of the insulation from one end using a knife and softly insert the stripped wire end into the internal antenna port.
Cut the wire to a 6.3 inches length, excluding the length inserted into the antenna port. Bend the magnetic wire over and wrap it with tape on the phone’s back. Run this wire up to the phone’s top and prolong it as an antenna. Swap the back, letting the magnetic wire stay in place.
iii) Mini external antenna
To DIY an external antenna, you can employ any slim metal tube like a pen casing or metallic drinking straw. Wrap one end near the phone’s top with the tape so that the pen casing extends upward from the mobile phone.
Plug the phone into the USB charger and coil the cable around the pen casing. Fasten the end using a metal spring clamp. After this, you should notice an increase of one or two signal bars in signal strength on your phone, like when using one of the best signal boosters for rural areas.
Can a DIY cell phone signal booster not work for me?
A DIY cell signal booster may not work for you if;
1) There is No Existing Signal Outside
Like commercial signal boosters, a DIY booster will only work if a cell signal is outside of your home. If you can’t get a cell signal outdoors or move some distance away from your home to make a call, this shows that radiofrequency waves are unavailable for the DIY booster to boost.
It is worth noting that you can’t conclude if a DIY signal booster will work based on the distance you have to move to get a signal.
2) You plan to boost cell signals outside your house
It’s essential to have cellular connectivity outdoors so you can continue communicating while in the garden, but DIY signal boosters are only made for indoor use. They will work by bouncing the cell signals within a walled space. Some booster components are not weather-proof and need to be plugged into a power source.
3) You plan to boost Wi-Fi signals
A DIY cell signal booster can only enhance your cellular connectivity. If you’re suffering from slow internet speeds or noting that your Wi-Fi drops out in some rooms in the house, getting an internet booster is a complete solution. But how does an internet booster work to ensure you lively browsing and streaming? Check out our past article.
Is making a DIY signal booster illegal?
Signal boosters that are not FCC-approved may interrupt mobile signals for multiple users. If the DIY signal booster isn’t registered, carrier agents may assume you are illegally connecting. By upsetting the cellular signal, you affect every phone user around you.
This is why the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has become acquainted with strict regulations controlling the manufacturing and operation of cell signal boosters, amplifiers, or repeaters.
In conclusion, the most straightforward way to avoid the intrinsic risks of using these gadgets is by avoiding uncertified boosters.
While uncertified boosters may be affordable, boosters approved by the body are much less likely to be abused, used for wicked purposes, or come with risky defects.
What are the limitations of DIY signal boosters?
Making your own DIY signal boosters could be risky, especially if you have no experience with the technology used. Every method discussed might not work, implying that you would have to try different methods to make this operate for you.
You can try various methods at your own risk as there is no assurance that they will still aid your cell phone pick signals. Your naivety could lead your mobile phone to damage. If you are not self-confident that you can do this on your own, it is strongly advisable that you do not try any of the above-discussed procedures.
What are the alternatives to DIY signal boosters?
i) Switch Carriers
One carrier may have better network coverage than another network provider in some situations. Therefore, one can switch to an excellent carrier to get an improved cellular signal, but it’s good to proceed with caution.
ii) Relocate to a different place
You may find that some rooms in your home may have better signals because of the direction of the carrier tower. Some rooms’ weak signals may be because thick walls block the signal. Therefore, you may find connectivity improves depending on where you are.
If you don’t see a boost in cell signal while using your DIY cell phone signal booster, move to higher ground or an intersection or free space where trees and buildings will not interrupt the signal.
iii) Go outside your house or office
You may have a robust signal outside your house but a weak signal when indoors. This condition shows that the building materials may be interfering with your network coverage.
iv) Upgrade to the latest phone
Some older phone models may have obsolete hardware that cannot access faster, more robust networks, so an upgrade is also a possible solution.
v) Keep your phone fully charged.
Always keep your cell phone charged all the time as a low battery phone generally cannot pick up cell signals.
Bottom line
Your cell phone reception should noticeably improve after making a DIY cell phone signal booster. While these procedures are straightforward, they will not operate with all cell phones. You could spoil your mobile phone in the event, or you could void your warranty because of changes in your phone.
Execute all these procedures at your own risk. However, if you still fight to get better and more robust signals, then you could always purchase a commercial signal booster kit for your suitability.
