How to Build A Homemade Cell Phone Signal Booster (5 Genius Ways!) – 2024

A Homemade cell phone signal booster can make your life easier in so many ways. Let’s discuss why you may need one. People who live in a mobile home/trailer home or in a region that is too far from a cell tower face problems with their cell phone signals. It is very irksome to pay for a monthly cellular phone plan, only to get dropped calls, delayed messages, and poor internet service.

Losing signals while traveling seems understandable in some situations. But getting low signals in one’s own home is intolerable.
Signal dropping can literally get on your nerves, especially while taking an important call from work. And let’s not even talk about how disturbing it could be during emergencies.

So, what could be the solution to such an annoying problem? The best solution can be a homemade cell phone signal booster.
Also, for starters, you could buy cell phone signal booster kits, mini-towers, cell phone amplifiers, and 4g repeaters that are available commercially. But, buying such equipment could be very expensive and unaffordable.

Your other options include a Do-it-yourself (DIY) guide that can help you to build your own homemade cell phone signal booster from scratch. You can easily make equipment like a DIY wifi booster and antenna amplifier if you are good with technology or at least understand the basics.

Our DIY cell phone signal booster guide can help you to build a cheap homemade cell phone signal amplifier using inexpensive items.

Let’s see how to boost cell signals at home by constructing a homemade cell phone signal booster.

Homemade cell phone signal booster: Here is how to DIY one.

Summary of How To Build A Homemade Cell Phone Signal Booster

DIY Homemade Cell Phone Signal Booster	DIY Cell phone repeater	DIY Antenna Amplifier
1. Build an Antenna for a homemade cell phone signal booster	1. Create two antennas for indoor and outdoor use for DIY Cell Phone Repeater	1. Access the internal Port
2. Link the Coaxial Cable	2. Setup the Wireless antenna	2. Insert the Cut Out Part
3. Link the pigtail connector to the antenna	3. Link antennas with the coaxial cable	3. Put the Tape and Place it Back
4. Catch the signal	–	–

Below are the written instructions of the Do-it-yourself guide for creating a homemade cell phone signal booster.

Required Materials

Before starting the process of setting up the homemade cell phone signal booster, you will require a few materials that will help you to build it properly. You can get the below-mentioned items at any hardware store with ease at a reasonable price.

1. A water pipe
2. A plastic container
3. Connector blocks
4. Pigtail connectors
5. A 40cm long iron wire
6. A 10m long Coaxial Cable
7. Pliers
8. Bolt and nut

Step 1: Build an Antenna for a homemade cell phone signal booster

• Take the iron wire. Now, use the pliers to bend the iron wire until it forms a square shape.
• To get this shape, you can bend the wire at 90 degrees. Make sure that the distance between the first two bends is 9cm whereas, the distance between the rest of the bends is 8cm.
• Install the connector block at the end of the wire after bending it at 90 degrees inwards.
• Now take the water pipe. Cut the water pipe in half by using a sharp cutter. Make a sizable hole in the center of the pipe so that the bolt can get in with convenience.
• Then, you fit the bolt in the hole and install the antenna on top. Use a nut to secure the antenna.

Step 2: Link the Coaxial Cable

• You have to link the Coaxial Cable with the connector block to conduct an electrical signal.
• So, divide the inner and outer wires. After you have separated them, connect the inner wire on one side of the block and the outer wire on the other side.

Step 3: Link the pigtail connector to the antenna

• Now that your antenna’s setup is complete, use the pigtail connector to link with your cell phone’s external antenna port.
• Use the other pigtail connector to link with your phone’s charging port.

Make sure there are no electricity wires anyplace where they may come into touch.

CAUTION

Step 4: Catch the signal

• After everything’s done, you would have to catch the signal. By tilting the antenna in different directions, you should figure out which direction catches the signals from a cell tower well and stop right there.
• Another method to boost cell phone signals could be to create a cell phone repeater. A cell phone repeater provides wireless coverage to a certain area using two antennas. Let’s see how to make a homemade cell phone repeater.

Mini-Guide to Making DIY Cell Phone Repeater

Below are the written instructions for building a DIY cell phone repeater.

Required Materials:

1. A 40 cm long iron wire
2. Two connector blocks
3. A 10m long Coaxial cable
4. Wireless antenna
5. Pliers
6. Screwdriver
7. Wirecutter

Step 1: Create two antennas for indoor and outdoor use for DIY Cell Phone Repeater

• Take the iron wire and bend it using pliers. Bend 4 cm at a 45-degree angle right in the center.
• After measuring 9 cm on both sides using the center point, bend the wire inwards at a 90-degree angle. This time measure 8 cm on both sides of the wire and bend again at a 90-degree angle inward.
• Bend last time at a 45-degree angle with a 4 cm measurement on both ends of the wire.
• Install the connector block and tighten it with a screwdriver. Now, place the antenna in the center of the room.
• Make one more antenna using the same instructions to place it outside.

Step 2: Setup the Wireless antenna

• Take a wireless antenna and cut out at least 20cm of plastic from it. You’ll soon see a metallic shield.
• Remove the metallic shield and place it in the connector block, securing it properly.
• Now, take the coaxial cable and cut out the dielectric insulator. Use the center core of the insulator to build a wireless antenna.
• To fit the wireless antenna on the indoor antenna, you have to measure 5cm from the margin of the center core and turn it around.
• You have to bend it five times clockwise with a screwdriver and level it at the end by straightening it.
• Now, link the border of the center core with the iron wire and secure it.
•  

Step 3: Link antennas with the coaxial cable

• The last step involves connecting the indoor and outdoor antennas with a coaxial cable.
• Put at least a 5-meter distance between both antennas. Place one antenna indoors and one outdoors.
• The outdoor antenna should be located at a high point. You should be able to get a better signal reception with this.

You could also use much simpler and shorter methods to boost your mobile signals at home. The Internal Port Antenna method is one of the easiest methods to improve your cell phone reception.

Mini-Guide to Making DIY Antenna Amplifier

Below are the written instructions for building a quick and simple cell phone signal booster.

Materials required for DIY Antenna Amplifier

1. Insulated magnet wire
2. Nail shaper
3. Tape

Step 1: Access the internal Port

This method requires you to remove the back cover of your cell phone and access the internal port antenna of the phone.

Step 2: Insert the Cut-Out Part

Use a magnet wire that is insulated and remove half an inch of the insulation from one end using a nail shaper. Carefully insert the cut-out part into the antenna port.

Step 3: Put the Tape and Place it Back

Cut the wire to a short length (6.3 inches would be fine) and bend it over. Put the tape on the wire after placing it firmly on the back of the phone.

Step 4: Run the Wire

Run the wire to the top of your cell phone and use it as an antenna extension to get better signal reception.

Mini-Guide to Making Aluminium Foil SIGNAL BOOSTER 

 REQUIRED MATERIALS:

1. Aluminum Foil
2. Copper wire
3. A 4 mm RCA jack
4. Electrical tape
5. Wireless antenna

STEP 1: Attach the RCA Jack with Copper Wire

• First of all, wrap the small piece of copper wire with aluminum foil
• Cut 4 mm RCA jack.
• Link one end of the wrap copper wire with the RCA jack.

STEP 2: Connect the Jack to a Cell Phone 

• Cover the open wire links with electric tape.
• Connect the other end of RCA Jack with a Cell phone.

Mini-Guide to Making DIY Tin Can Signal Amplifier

Below are the written instructions for building a DIY Cell Phone Signal Booster

Materials required for DIY Tin Can Signal Amplifier

1. Two metal cans, jars, or something similar

2. Heavy gauge copper wire

3. Antenna connector

4. Cell Phone

5. Pigtail Connector according to cell phone model

6. Soldering iron with solder

Step 1: WASH AND CUT THE METAL CAN

First of all, clean the metal cans and remove any labels or stickers from the cans.

Fold it so that one of the metal cans should have one uncut end. Then cut both ends of the second can to make a tube.

Step 2: BUILD AN ANTENNA CONNECTOR

Carefully solder the open ends of both cans together using a hot soldering iron to make one taller can. Before adding solder, heat the area to be soldered briefly using the tip of the soldering iron. 

You can also use metal tape for this stage, straddling the connection and adhering the tape to the metal on either side as tightly as possible.

Next, cut a circular hole approximately 4 inches up the side from the closed bottom with a cutter. To estimate the size of the hole, measure the neck of the antenna connection.

Step 3: LINK ANTENNA CONNECTOR  WITH COPPER WIRE 

Carefully Join copper wire having a 4-inch length to the antenna connector. Firmly attach the copper wire with help of a soldering iron and cover it with duct tape to complete the antenna.

Then pass the completed antenna connector with copper wire attached through the hole on the exterior of the can until the antenna connector’s shoulder reaches the interior of the can. 

Push the nut on the shoulders of the antenna connector and tight it using washers.

Step 4: CONNECT THE PIGTAIL CONNECTOR TO THE ANTENNA

Attach the pigtail connector to the end of the antenna connector that is visible outside the metal can.

Connect the other end of the Pigtail connector with your cell phone’s antenna port. Attach the unit to your cell phone and your DIY Cell Phone Signal Booster is ready for use.  

Simply point the can’s open end in any direction until you obtain a strong enough signal to make a call.

Risks involving DIY signal boosters

Creating your own DIY signal boosters could be risky, especially if you have zero experience with tech. Some of the risks involving homemade signal boosters are discussed below.

• Every method might not work

Every method might not work, which means that you would have to try out different ways to make this work for you. You can try various techniques at your own risk as there is no guarantee that they will still help your cell phone catch signals. The reason could be your cell phone’s model because not all procedures are compatible with every cell phone model.

• Your cell phone battery might die quickly

You would need to be extra careful and conscious about your cell phone’s battery being fully charged at all times to get optimal results from a homemade cell phone signal booster.

A weak battery won’t catch signals properly whereas, using a signal booster drains your battery quickly. In short, it’s a double-edged sword. You would need a full battery to make it work efficiently, while it impacts your battery power immensely.

• Inexperience could lead to damage:

Your inexperience could lead your cell phone to be damaged. If you are not confident that you can pull this on your own then, it is strongly recommended that you do not try any of these procedures.

• Issues with FCC:

If your homemade cell phone signal booster ends up causing problems in the cellular network, then you might be asked to either verify your own device with the FCC or buy one that they already approve of to avoid network interference.

Benefits of homemade cell phone signal boosters

Saves Money 

Commercial signal boosters perform a fantastic job of reducing low signal areas, but they are expensive. Most of them cost between $500 and $900, however, constructing your own drastically reduces the cost. In other cases, such as the can approach and the aluminum foil alternative discussed above, you will not pay a dollar while receiving enhanced signals.

Increase Battery time

Poor network reception drains your phone’s battery life quicker than anything else. When the signal weakens, your phone attempts to compensate by increasing its signal reception. This merely accelerates battery loss and reduces your phone’s capacity to maintain a charge for longer because you’ll need to recharge often. Making one of the simple Homemade  Cell phone signal boosters listed above might help you solve the problem.

Other Perks

• They are easy to set up if you have the basic know-how of technology.
• The materials required to build one are super affordable and convenient to buy at any local hardware store.
• They are repairable.

FAQs 

Final thoughts

Your cell phone reception should considerably improve after setting up a homemade cell phone signal booster. However, if you still struggle to get better signals, then you could always buy a commercial signal booster kit for your convenience.