DIY passive cellular repeater?

[morkus64]

So I don't get any cell phone reception at all inside, but outside and up a little bit the signal is just fine. I was hoping to try to construct something cheap to give some reception indoors.

Would it work to do a sort of cantenna setup, but have a can on the outside and run a copper wire down to a can inside?

Any modifications or other ideas?

TIA

 

[Jugernot]

Wrong forum...

You can get cell phone external antennas. Search for your model and I bet you'll probably find one.

 

[morkus64]

I want multiple people in the office to be able to get better signal, and I want to do it on the cheap. Buying an external antenna defeats the purpose.

 

[Phynaz]

Ask your provider about a femtocell.

 

[Errez]

Tinfoil and ducktape. Solves all the worlds problems.

 

[pm]

I don't think something like this will work. The problem is that I don't think a "passive repeater" will work effectively due to the losses. You are taking a weak signal, and then putting it through a bunch of less-than-ideal components, losing a bit in the process, and then trying to create a new antenna inside. I don't think this will work without some form of amplification.

I think if you make an antenna for your cellphone alone, it would work. Or if you used some active components to amplify the signal in the right band range, you'd be ok. But passive... I think the losses will swamp the signal entirely.

 

[morkus64]

The signal outside is not too bad. Is there any way to make the components more ideal? I've heard that a lot can depend on the shape of the can and the gauge of the wire... does anyone know what would be ideal for the frequency verizon uses?