How To Create Your Signal Jammer

 by BearGrills
cell-phone-jammer-prepared.jpg
For a long-long time many people were looking for this cool recipe of making something interesting for yourself. And I was one of them until last days. In my quest I came across the Jammer Store blog post called How To Make Your Cell Phone Jammer: DIY Guide. It inspired me to make something like that by myself.

All necessary info, schemes and pictures are there, so I tried. The result is represented in this humble guide for you.
 
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Step 1: The Basics

jammer-circuit.jpg

This signal jammer uses 800MHz frequency to operate because many cell phones are working on the same frequency. So I chose the sweeping oscillator as my VCO. It is really efficient yet may be difficult to use if you are beginner without some semi-professional RF-testing tools.

The clock oscillator (45MHz) is driving a local oscillator port as my noise source and is located on the mixer of the mini circuit. To equate the impedance of a clock oscillator with the mixer there is an impedance matching network. Local oscillator signal goes through this network and impedance is matched.

The 800MHz antenna from the old cell phone is connected to the RF input (mixer port). The RF output then goes to the amplifier located on the mini circuit. The amplifier will increase produced output by 15-16dbm of pure power. The empowered signal is going to another old phone antenna.
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shiaulteyr says: Feb 22, 2012. 6:26 AM
Swapping out the sweeping oscillator with one from the phone itself, an old router - if you're interested in those bands - and other electronics (such as old RC toys, which makes those crack-of-dawn RC plane enthusiasts quite down nicely) should work with this design too. That is, in theory at least. Great project to experiment with though!! Good work!

Just on the IED topic there - we used to use a similar device in Afghanistan when the opportunity presented itself and I know that many Police agencies have them in their arsenal - where they provide, I'm sure, much more use than they did for us! (By the time you find out it's a cellular triggered device, you're probably already picking up what's left of it after it went off the day before! Not to mention, setting the phone's alarm as a backup/failsafe is immune to jamming - as are grenades).
BearGrills (author) in reply to shiaulteyrFeb 22, 2012. 7:35 AM
Thank you for nice words and advices! It is pleasant to know that similar devices are saving lives out there :)
nicostar23 says: May 9, 2013. 5:30 PM
I want to make one that will crash everything in my school. What should the output(s) be?
steveastrouk says: Apr 16, 2013. 12:19 AM
http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-issues-two-forfeiture-notices-for-cell-phone-jamming
Dergadergaful says: Mar 19, 2013. 10:03 PM
Hello Bear Grilles,
I made an account just to ask, can you end me super detailed instructions as well as what each component's function is, I have no idea what I am doing whatsoever, but would love a quick lesson on it. My email is EArmendariz000@gmail.com
soundman64 says: Jan 25, 2013. 8:49 AM
Hi BearGrills,
Interesting jammer idea that - getting the received frequency to generate a jamming signal 45MHz offset from it. In your experience, can you tell us how effective it has been in practice? The receive and transmit antennas are quite close. So, I was wondering if the strong transmitting antenna signal would overload the receiving signal and mess the whole thing up (even though they are 45MHz apart)?
Would you not need to filter the receive signal to keep the transmit signal away from it?
Also, it probably wont block one-way text messages being sent from those accursed GPS tracking thingies, will it?

Thanks.
dinodhayal says: Oct 2, 2012. 11:41 PM
hi sir/madam,
can you help me make a jammer if you want plz sent me all component and detail on my email skddinesh295@gmail.com,
i hope u help me
dinodhayal says: Oct 2, 2012. 11:39 PM
an you help me make a jammer if you want plz sent me all component and detail on my email skddinesh295@gmail.com,
i hope u help me
mammasboy says: Sep 25, 2012. 2:35 PM
this is an awesome idea, could you provide a parts list and a "how to" for the circuitry side of things? i'd love to make one of these
JFaust78 says: Sep 9, 2012. 11:35 AM
I am not a professional electronics guy, but could someone suggest a part number or link for the clock oscillator. I am finding many of them, but do not know which would work for sure. Thank you so much for the great post!
sumalyo says: Sep 5, 2012. 1:13 AM
very very very very gooooooooooooooooood
bilaljarral says: Aug 15, 2012. 10:05 PM
helo bro
can you help me make a jammer if you want plz sent me all component and detail on my email bilaljarral302@gmail.com,
i hope u help me
saber shafi in reply to bilaljarralSep 1, 2012. 2:59 AM
bro if sm1 hs send u the list of ths component plz send me also
my email id iz saber.shafi@yahoo.in
BearGrills (author) in reply to bilaljarralAug 16, 2012. 12:33 AM
There is no need to write few times, don't clog the comments please
hiyer says: Aug 18, 2012. 8:40 AM
hey i want to make signal jammer as my project . so can you pls send me the list of compenents and the procedure to my email id i.e hvignesh91@yahoo.com
saber shafi in reply to hiyerSep 1, 2012. 2:57 AM
bro if sm1 hs send u the list of ths component plz send me also
my email id iz saber.shafi@yahoo.in
bilaljarral says: Aug 15, 2012. 9:43 PM
i want make a mobile jammer plz help me
BearGrills (author) in reply to bilaljarralAug 16, 2012. 12:31 AM
All details are here in this DIY, use it and make your jammer ;)
kukuhmoeslim says: May 2, 2012. 6:11 AM
hi bro can you send me all component from your project to my email kukuhmoeslim@gmail.com thank you so much. i hope you can help me please....
BearGrills (author) in reply to kukuhmoeslimMay 14, 2012. 12:25 AM
Hi!

Sorry, but I can't remember all components now because it was long ago when I made my jammer. Just follow the instructions I wrote here and pick up similar components because you'll need to test their compatibility anyway.
fegundez1 says: Jun 30, 2011. 5:50 AM
as it has been widely known that most cowardly ied device users do use cell phones to trigger their devices it boggles the mind to think that the military doesn't use some kind of device like this to stop some of the carnage.
static in reply to fegundez1Mar 31, 2012. 10:03 PM
No doubt the US military has counter measures. most likely developed before other departments of the US government empowered terrorists the US was friendly with the the nut & bolts of IED. Frankly while I understand why the use of IED is characterized as cowardly, I don't agree with that assessment even though they are being us against US soldiers. Those employing the IED are are in their own country are friendly to that country, and are using them against an occupying force. The use of the IED is no more cowardly than a pilot dropping bomb from the safety of miles above or person sitting at a console in the us commanding a UAV to fire a missile. In the event the roles where reversed Americans would do the same to any army that dared to enter the US. IMO it's going to be the unhealthy narcissism of Americans that will be our ultimate down fall.
static in reply to fegundez1Jul 4, 2011. 6:27 PM
The jamming of radio signals by the US government and/or military is old news. No reason to think they are not doing so now.
JKR in reply to fegundez1Jul 2, 2011. 8:49 PM
In both Afganistan and Iraq the coalition forces use a very complex jamming system that jams multiple frequencies. Look up JCCS-1 and the CREW system. The Army just brought back an MOS in Electronic Warfare from lessons learned in country. I spent a year in Iraq installing and maintaining CREW systems, cool stuff to work with most of it was classiified secret..
BearGrills (author) in reply to fegundez1Jun 30, 2011. 6:06 AM
Actually they do use very powerful and completely reliable jammers for disrupting IEDs. The post about it you can find at the Wired.com's Dangerroom, the Iraq invisible war or something like that.
static says: Jul 4, 2011. 8:05 PM
When I read microstrip line on the schematic, I had something else in mind, that I was seeing it on the most predominate photo of the completed board, I assume here microstrip line means the small coaxial cable.
pcooper2 in reply to staticFeb 22, 2012. 4:46 PM
No, a microstrip is a strip of conductive material isolated from a circuit board ground plane by a layer of insulating material (dielectric). The characteristic impedance of a microstrip depends on the dielectric constant, the thickness of the insulator and the width of the conductor and is chosen to match the output impedance of the driver for optimum power transfer. In effect, a microstrip functions much like a coaxial cable.

Connections to microstrip transmission lines are usually made with surface-mount components, since a PCB feed-through hole would introduce an impedance discontinuity that would alter the characteristic impedance and cause ringing and unwanted electromagnetic radiation. The circuit board depicted in this project is constructed almost entirely using microstrip design techniques.
static in reply to pcooper2Mar 31, 2012. 9:21 PM
Yes I understand what you mean how strip lines are use at the frequencies in construction, now you brought it up. I was unfamiliar with what was used on the schematic to depict the strip lines. For me anyway it was difficult to follow the photos of the populated board.
snackpakSam says: Mar 23, 2012. 6:19 AM
Hi BearGrills,
Interesting project! Different and simpler approach to other "bubble" jammer projects out there. I really want to independently verify that this works. I'm a EE, but no hi-freq/microwave background, so I'm having trouble understanding the microstrip requirement in your schematic. In your photos, it doesn't exactly look like it is a high precision build (no offense intended), but my understanding on the microstrip is based on some pretty precise calculations using the dielectric thickness, ground plane, and trace dimensions. That, in conjunction with the fact that the co-ax doesnt seem to be spec-ed either makes me wonder how you actually implemented this part of your schematic. Any chance you could shoot me some details? Is there a backside ground plane we're not seeing, why is the striped component on the right of the photo (assuming inductror) is not connected on one side, why the ferite bead? Any other implementation details would be appreciated too! email is classnotes998877(at)gmail.com
Thanks,
Sam
BearGrills (author) in reply to snackpakSamMar 23, 2012. 7:53 AM
I've sent you an e-mail ;)
pcooper2 says: Feb 22, 2012. 5:08 PM
Cell phone jammers are available as commercial equipment from several Israeli, British and Asian companies, although they aren't permitted for civilian use in the United States. The same thing could be achieved by enclosing the premises with a metal screen, without having to use active jamming, and it often occurs inadvertently in buildings that use lots of steel panels and steel-reinforced concrete in their construction.

The whole cell phone spectrum doesn't need to be jammed; only the frequencies used by the phone to establish the "handshake" with the cell repeater. If the phone can be fooled into thinking no repeater is available, a call can't be initiated or received. The phone will just display "No Service".
BearGrills (author) in reply to pcooper2Feb 23, 2012. 12:31 AM
Yep, but metal screening is used in specialized buildings, but not in every one or outside.
BearGrills (author) in reply to pcooper2Feb 23, 2012. 12:24 AM
Metal screens are used in special buildings but not everywhere. And it is also not used outdoors.
nasim86 says: Feb 17, 2012. 11:01 PM
hye bearGrills.. im really intrested on ur project.. im doing my FYP right now.. can u send me the detail bout this signal jammer project.. thank you
BearGrills (author) in reply to nasim86Feb 20, 2012. 12:13 AM
All details are here, but if you need more complex schematics, you can use those from the blog post I've mentioned at the beginning of this DIY.
nasim86 says: Feb 17, 2012. 10:59 PM
hye bear grills.. im intrested on ur project for my FYP. can u please email to me the complete steps for these signal jammer..tq
aashu029 says: Dec 24, 2011. 10:55 AM
Greetings Bear Gills
i want to know that how can we increase the range of this jammer and if there is any room for that... Kindly send me the complete information regarding the necessary circuit elements used in this jammer and the basic connections. Kindly mail me at lone_aashu@yahoo.com
Eagerly waiting for your reply
James Hauser says: Dec 14, 2011. 3:19 PM
Jam early, jam often.
seolfor says: Jun 29, 2011. 2:35 PM
There are situations in the U.S., such as teaching electronics, where the making of the device is not illegal. Of course, using the device is a whole different matter. Those who might have a need for it at home, might be better off turning a small room, or even just building a portable, faraday cage. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage

Nice instructable, and thanks for demonstrating how to make one of these.
static in reply to seolforJul 4, 2011. 7:23 PM
To keep it short as possible. I can't think of anything that could be taught by building this circuit that couldn't be taught by building circuits that don't violate Federal regulation to construct or use. AFAIK the idea that educational purposes trump Federal and/or State legislation is unsupported myth.
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