Technology Get the latest on technology, electronics and software…

DIY Signal Boosting...

Thread Tools
 
Old 10-29-2006, 04:56 PM
  #1  
Suzuka Master
Thread Starter
 
mrdeeno's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Lower Nazzie, Pa
Age: 46
Posts: 5,349
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 1 Post
DIY Signal Boosting...

I read this on some thread somewhere in one of the blackberry forums, and the consensus is that it worked.

The trick was to place a piece of folded aluminum foil between the battery and back cover. Of course there was no reasonable or logical explanation for why this would boost your signal, and can be compared to using one of those $20 stickers that don't do shit.

But for the price of a piece of aluminum foil (ie free), i decided to give it a try and see why these clowns were so adamant about it working.

I usually get consistent coverage where i'm at...at work, i get 4-5 out of 5 bars on EDGE network. At home, it fluctuates between 1-2 bars on EDGE or 2-3 bars on GPRS.

I put in the piece of aluminum foil. My signal at home is now consistently at 5 out of 5 bars on GPRS (sitting at the same spot on my coffee table as I always place it while using the computer). It drops to 4, but then goes back to 5. Since i put the aluminum in 10 minutes ago, i have not seen it go to 3 yet.

Coincidence? or could this piece of aluminum actually have done something? I have no idea what affect this piece of aluminum has on the signal, but all i know is i'm getting a slightly better reception because of it, and my signal has been consistent enough before and after that i don't think it's a fluke.
Old 10-30-2006, 01:15 AM
  #2  
Moderator
 
Costco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,869
Received 3,489 Likes on 2,089 Posts
I just shut down my phone and turn it on again every month or when I go into a new area (Cingular) It works if I'm in a new area. But this sounds interesting, I may have to try it. I'm wondering if the aluminum foil bounce the radiation back into my brain though...

Care to give a update tomorrow to see if its not a coincidence? I'm skeptical to say the least, but I'm willing to try it, just have to monitor how many bars I have in certain places then test it out.
Old 10-30-2006, 09:07 AM
  #3  
Suzuka Master
Thread Starter
 
mrdeeno's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Lower Nazzie, Pa
Age: 46
Posts: 5,349
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 1 Post
i'm at work, and I still have 4 bars on EDGE...so it doesn't seem to do anything special here as i always had 4 or 5 bars while at work (i can see a cell tower from my building).

But last night before i went to bed and this morning when i got up, i was still at 4 bars on GPRS.

Maybe it doesn't do anything to "boost" the signal, but maybe the aluminum shields it from interference from "junk" signals and frequencies, making it appear like the signal is stronger.

I can't tell if my calls either at work or at home are more clear or not, they sound about the same really. But then again, i think the difference between a single bar and 2 bars is much greater than the difference between 3 bars and 4-5 bars.
Old 10-31-2006, 12:44 AM
  #4  
1919
 
Scottman111's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Age: 39
Posts: 21,467
Likes: 0
Received 162 Likes on 134 Posts
I tried it after reading this thread out of curiosity. Didn't get any different results here at my house, which is in a rural area and reception is not so good.

But I'm switching to Cingular in the next few days, and I know I get good reception here from them.
Old 10-31-2006, 07:00 AM
  #5  
Suzuka Master
Thread Starter
 
mrdeeno's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Lower Nazzie, Pa
Age: 46
Posts: 5,349
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 1 Post
i've been constantly getting a slightly better signal at my house (+1 or 2 bar, total of 4-5 out of 5) since i've had that piece of aluminum in there.

Not sure if the actual quality is better or not, but whatever...i guess it's like doing no other modes except for putting a cold air intake in your car...the extra 1-2hp doesn't make a difference in the grand scheme of things, but you "feel" faster!
Old 10-31-2006, 12:22 PM
  #6  
Team Owner
 
EuRTSX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: District of Corruption
Age: 36
Posts: 23,588
Received 105 Likes on 69 Posts
Constant 5-6 bars at work and at malls and everywhere with Cingular and my quadband Samsung D600 phone. Haven't been happier.
Old 11-03-2006, 08:09 PM
  #7  
Team Owner
iTrader: (1)
 
Sly Raskal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Fontana, California
Age: 47
Posts: 30,991
Received 582 Likes on 346 Posts
I'm now getting 10 bars on my phone!!!!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mike734
2G RL Tires, Wheels & Suspension
4
12-10-2021 01:25 PM
tsx_boy
1G TSX Performance Parts & Modifications
4
12-13-2019 08:33 PM
us285126
3G TL Audio, Bluetooth, Electronics & Navigation
9
10-02-2015 02:03 PM
rhdune16
Car Parts for Sale
0
09-28-2015 11:31 AM
h22lude
3G TL (2004-2008)
7
09-27-2015 06:22 PM



Quick Reply: DIY Signal Boosting...



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:22 PM.