Wednesday 18 November 2015

Make An Antenna Booster

Boost your cell phone's signal with a homemade antenna.


Antennas are used to process signals in devices such as radios, cell phones, computers and televisions. Antenna boosters help these devices by providing a larger or additional antenna to pick up signals when low signals are present. Commercial antenna boosters can be expensive. You can make your own antenna booster in just a few minutes to boost your cell phone's signal. You probably have most of the necessary items on hand, and you can easily buy the rest at any electronics or hardware store. You should have experience with soldering to complete this project.


Instructions


1. Use the can opener to remove the bottom of the coffee can. Place the bottom of the Pepperidge Farm cookie can on top of the coffee can. Solder the two cans together using the solder and soldering iron. The soldering does not have to be complete around the entire can. Solder ten to twelve spots around the cans to connect them.


2. From the bottom of the Pepperidge Farm can, measure up 100 millimeters and mark that spot on the can. This is where you'll cut a hole for the antenna connector. Punch a hole in the can, and use the tin snips to finish the hole. The hole should be slightly smaller than the antenna connector. It's best to start with a hole too small and increase its size as needed.


3. Insert the antenna connector through the hole. Hold the connector in place using the nut that came with the antenna connector kit. Connect the antenna to the pigtail connector.


4. Remove the back cover of your cell phone. You should find the connection point for the other end of the pigtail connector. Plug the antenna into the cell phone. Slowly scan for a signal, and watch the cell phone for an increase in the number of bars, indicating a good connection.

Tags: cell phone, antenna connector, your cell phone, your cell, bottom Pepperidge, bottom Pepperidge Farm