Introduction: See the Signals of Your Phone
- We can't see the electromagnetic waves that going out of our phones.Our phones are always sending electromagnetic waves. For example : if we make a call,surf the internet,send a message...So wouldn't it be cool if we could see the signals.Have you ever wanted to know when your phone sending or receiving a data.With this instructable you can! We will make a RF to DC circuit to see the signals.
Usages And Advantages Of This Gadget
- Know before someone calls you
- Know before someone texts you
- See if your phone sends or receives data
- See what uses the most data
- With this gadget you can reduce your mobile data bill
This will be an easy instructable.We need basic tools and only a few components.
Step 1: Parts and Tools
- 2 Diodes (1N34A germanium diode) or (1N4148 diode)
- 1 Capacitor (I recommend 25 Volt 10 microfarad Capacitor)
- 1 White LED
- You need a case for your phone if you don't want to glue the gadget to your phone.Gluing the gadget to your phone or to your existing case will not harm them.So you can use your phone or your existing case.
- Soldering Iron
- Glue Gun
- A Phone(I'll be using iPhone 5)
If you have the components we can start with the second step.
Step 2: Clean Your Desk
Don't be messy like me,always put your components in boxes after your work.
Step 3: The Circuit
First diode is going to the positive of the capacitor.The second diode is coming from the negative of the capacitor.The other legs of the diodes will be connected.Long leg of the LED goes to the positive side of the capacitor and short one goes to the negative one.
Step 4: Make and Solder
Attach them all and solder them according to the images.Keep the cut leg from a component.After the soldering use the cut leg as the antenna and solder it to the circuit.
Please note that long leg of the LED goes to positiveside of the capacitor and short one goes to negativeside.
Step 5: Finding the "Spot"
After the fourth step we should find the "Spot" on our phone.Try calling your phone and while it's ringing move the circuit on the back of your phone until the led starts flashing.If you found the "Spot" then you can glue it.
Here is a video showing the search for the "Spot".
Attachments
Step 6: It's Ready
It's ready now you can play with it.I mean explore the things it can.It works with GSM and 2G.Have fun.The circuit is from me.
This is my first instructable.I hope you liked it.And don't forget to vote if you liked it.
Step 7: Pictures

Participated in the
Phone Contest

Participated in the
Soldering Challenge
21 Comments
8 years ago
Wow! This looks great!
8 years ago on Introduction
nice u got my vote! How do I add this to my collection
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
You have to do it on a computer and you have to press a button named +Collection.
8 years ago on Introduction
Cool!! Voted!! Hope you win!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Thanks!
8 years ago
It stopped working after a few days everything's still wired
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
LED could be exploded.Put a resistor to the LED.
8 years ago on Introduction
Its not working sadly I used the zener diodes the 414 ones :(
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Try making with 1N34A or 1N4148 diodes.Check the circuit before you solder.If that is not working either which phone do you use?
8 years ago on Introduction
i can measure voltage when it call comes butt led wont glow
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Try to put the LED in opposite direction.If it doesn't send me a picture of your circuit and a photo of your measurement.I hope I can help you.Thanks for trying the circuit.
8 years ago on Introduction
totally voted!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Thanks!
8 years ago
Cool!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
You're cool!
8 years ago on Introduction
Been making little gizmos like this for years. I love the sheer simplicity and compactness of your's. Voted!!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for your support!
Later I will post a stronger circuit.
8 years ago
Great job with this! I wanted to get the lune case because it did this, but it is expensive. I am going to do this because it's much cheaper. I hope you win the phone contest!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Thank you very much,the LED also flashes if the phone sends 2G data,mobile data.For example if you get a whatsapp message LED flashes or if your phone refreshes at background.
8 years ago on Introduction
This is cool! It's good to know what your phone is up to. And I like step #2! Thanks for sharing.