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cell phone reception

Barry Kingston | April 7th, 2008

We live in an area that the cell phone reception is inconsistent or just not good. We were told we live in a hole. Is there a way to build a receiver like a TV antenna that would boost the reception?

7 COMMENTS on “cell phone reception”

  1. rsdostuff | April 7th, 2008 10:09 am

    no tv antennas are made to pick up that kind of range uhf vhf and fm signals only with an tv antenna. try looking for a antenna system called zboost it is a cellphone antenna and it repeats the signal through your house it works well but really pricey

  2. Harold Pryor | April 7th, 2008 12:47 pm

    Radioshack sells these!!Part #25-756 and web order only 55026078

  3. Andrew Simmons | April 7th, 2008 4:21 pm

    its possible. depending on the frequency band, you need an antenna (CB?) that will mostly grab that frequency and send it.

  4. Lee | April 7th, 2008 4:27 pm

    The store stock item is a 170 series, so it is 17-756. However, it would need to be ordered anyway (usually through a program we call Direct2U), so I’d spring for the web order number Harold mentioned. It is a dual-band booster that will work on all PCS and cellular bands (so you don’t have to worry about picking the right one for your carrier/tower combo). We’ve sold quite a few in my store and have seen pretty good results.

    To answer the original question, there is not an easy way to build a receiver that will improve signal. The parts are usually only obtainable through larger supply houses and can get expensive quickly. With regards to a TV antenna-like device, Radioshack has carried external antennas that work with some phones. However, they do not actually boost the reception and their performance is usually well-below what you may be expecting. Generally, the Z-boost thing is the best bet.

    Sorry I didn’t have a good DIY answer for you, but maybe this helps.

  5. Unit042 | April 11th, 2008 9:19 pm

    Crazy suggestion: maybe a parabola could do something. They work for sattelite(sic) TV… Maybe cell phones….

  6. interesting | May 4th, 2008 11:35 pm

    check this out if ya really want to build something simple boost your signal
    copy and past this into your brouser

    http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r18681534-Owner-Wireless-Antenna-Pictures

  7. j0vian | July 6th, 2008 9:01 am

    You can build a can antenna (cantenna) using parts from readioshack for about 20 dollars. Just look up can wifi antenna on google. Depending on the plave you place the antenna in the can it can be used to pick up cell phone wave length frequencies as well.. If your sell phone has an atenna on it the only modification you will make to the can antenna project is placing an alligator clip on the end of the wire coming from the can antenna and cliping the alligator clip to the antenna on your phone. I may post allof the part number to use later if I get the time…

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