To start things off, I must utter the words tycoons and teens fear the most: My cell phone has died (Cue sinister music). Now, I’m actually pretty lucky, since the phone has suffered a software crash and actually still has all my information accessible in it. I just can’t use it to call anyone (I actually suspect something was severed inside it, but I’d rather not argue with Verizon). Anyways, the replacement phone I have my hands on is exactly the same-it’s activated and fully functional-except that it barely gets any kind of signal at my home! The crashed phone used to be OK (I live right between towers), but the drop-off from that phone to this one is just HORRENDOUS! Thus, I have set out to seek the Holy Grail of telecommunications: a way to improve your cell phone reception without cost.
Unfortunately, the more I read about cellular communications, the more difficult this seems: the combination of coverage limited by cost, material obstruction of signal, and the different frequencies used for cellular networks all combine to make this very difficult to do without cost. Do not think that it is difficult to improve your cellular reception; it actually isn’t, however, doing so without additional cost may prove to be impossible, as it looks like to achieve my goal, I will build myself an antenna and adapter array for my phone.
Firstly, let me go through the most common methods to boost your reception:
Replacement Cellular Antennas
This one isn’t too complicated. There are replacement antennas out there designed to replace the standard (and in cases, substandard) antennas. These should improve reception in all areas, but, again, purchase is required. Since the antennas are particular to specific phones, and I don’t have an extended amount of experience (not to mention access to a tapping device for threading my antenna), these are out.
External Antennas
Acting on the same principle as the former method, an external antenna is usually mounted on a surface or in an area where typical coverage is greater, then either a line is fed to your phone and connected through a jack on the side or the signal is retransmitted to your phone. It’s a bit less mobile than a replacement antenna, but is guaranteed to improve your reception, as long as you’ve installed it in the right place. This is where variation starts taking place; most antennas are only rated for one of the two cellular frequencies (1900 MHz and 800 MHz) . As such, you need to know what frequency your carrier uses in your area. One of the best ways to do this is at Wireless Advisor. They have a handy utility that just lets you plug your ZIP Code in and will give information about the local carriers and the frequencies they use. It seems that if I’m seeking to have a no-cost solution, or ultra-low-cost alternative to commercially purchasing a kit, I will end up MacGyvering some kind of external antenna.
Amplifiers
There isn’t a lot of complex nomenclature with cell phones and networks and whatnot. Amplifiers are serious hardware. The highest rated of these can extend range for miles, but they are the most expensive of the lot. Both wired and wireless types of amplifiers are available, with wired costing less but requiring a direct connection to the phones in use, and wireless costing more but not needing a connection to any phone or phones in the area. Look to spend hundreds on these. Due to the complexity and probable cost of the parts needed to build one of these, (though I would like one) amplifiers are out.
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It seems that everywhere I’ve looked, these three categories are the most trumpeted; which is fine, but finding the directions to build my own external antenna that adheres to the specifications I need might be a bit more difficult than I thought. Keep in mind that anything you buy might not work with the next generation of phone you buy; I know for a fact that most external antennas are particular to their phones, and an upgrade or change in carrier might make your $50 investment turn into a pretty piece of vertical metal.
Fortunately, it seems I’ve found an antique, but useful, design for an external antenna. Looks like I’ll be running to Lowe’s tomorrow to pick up the parts I need, which means it’s about this time that I get to say…
Picture courtesy of: Verizon Wireless;
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