• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Circuit Ideas for You

Get free circuit ideas online.

  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • About
Home » Mobile Phone Detector Circuit using Transistors

Mobile Phone Detector Circuit using Transistors

Last updated on 4 June 2026 by Admin-Lavi Leave a Comment

Imagine we have a spy device that finds nearby mobile phones.

Mobile Phone Detector Circuit using Transistors is like ear for special signals phones send to towers; it can catch signal even before phone rings like secret talk between phone and tower.

Also, it uses transistors, small switches to catch these signals.

Circuit Working:

Mobile Phone Detector Circuit Diagram using Transistors

Parts List:

ComponentsValuesQuantity
Resistors1M, 10k (1/4 watt)2 each
470k, 220 (1/4 watt)1 each
CapacitorsCeramic 10nF2
SemiconductorsTransistors 90183
Diode OA791
LED Red 5mm, 20mA1
Inductor 13 turns using 1mm thick wire, 5mm diameter1
30cm Antenna1
Push button1
Battery 3V1

This circuit catches RF signal when phone start a call, it sense signal between phone and tower before phone ring.

Main part is special diode OA79, it is more sensitive than normal diode 1N4148 so it can catch signal from far.

Furthermore, it is good for testing different diodes, by showing how diode sensitivity change the range.

How circuit work:

First transistor is always ON and when phone call start coil catch RF and make small voltage change.

This drop voltage at capacitor and base of transistor and this transistor boost this small change and turn ON the LED.

OA79 diode can catch phone signal from 1 meter, whereas normal diode catches at only 10 cm.

Hence, this circuit use very low power which is around 1mA.

Formulas:

To make circuit more sensitive use many transistors in chain like Darlington pair.

Current Gain (β):

For two transistors:

βtotal = βQ1 × βQ2

This help understand how to make phone detector using Darlington stage and we can change design based on what circuit need.

How to Build:

To build a Mobile Phone Detector Circuit using transistors follow the steps mentioned below for assembling the components:

  • First, connect the emitter of transistor Q1 to ground, connect the base of transistor Q1 to capacitor C1, D1 diode and antenna in series and then connect the collector of transistor Q1 to positive supply through resistor R3.
  • Next, connect inductor coil one end to base of transistor Q1 and other end to ground.
  • After that, connect the emitter of transistor Q2 to ground, connect the base of transistor Q2 to resistor R4 and capacitor C2 and then connect the collector of transistor Q2 to resistor R5.
  • Then connect the emitter of transistor Q3 to ground, connect the base of transistor Q3 to collector of Q2 and resistor R5 and then connect the collector of transistor Q3 to positive supply through resistor R6 and Red LED.
  • Now connect a series of resistors R1 and R2 from positive supply to ground and then lastly, connect a push button to positive supply of 3V battery.

Safety Note:

  • Always be careful, do not touch wires when power is ON.
  • In some places using this kind of circuit may not be legal, so check our area rules before using these type of circuit.

Conclusion:

To conclude, this Mobile Phone Detector Circuit using Transistors is easy to build, as it can find phone activity but only in short range.

Also, it may not work same with all networks and it can also get wrong signals; hence, while making the circuit be safe and follow the rules in your area.

Filed Under: DIY Projects, Security and Protection, Sensors and Detectors, Transistor Circuits

About Admin-Lavi

Lavi is a B.Tech electronics engineer with a passion for designing new electronic circuits. Do you have questions regarding the circuit diagrams presented on this blog? Feel free to comment and solve your queries with quick replies

Previous Post: « Simple Solar Garden Light Circuit using One Transistor
Next Post: Simple Phone Transmitter Circuit »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar




Categories

  • 555 Timer Projects (59)
  • Alarm Circuits (68)
  • Amplifier Circuits (90)
  • Arduino Projects (103)
  • Audio Circuits (179)
  • Automation Circuits (49)
  • Automobile Circuits (28)
  • Battery Charger Circuits (86)
  • DIY Projects (214)
  • Free Energy (13)
  • Heater and Temperature Controllers (29)
  • High Voltage (23)
  • Hobby Circuits (106)
  • Indicator Circuits (60)
  • Inverter Circuits (19)
  • IoT projects (1)
  • LDR Circuits (37)
  • LED and Lamps (183)
  • Meters and Testers (39)
  • Mini Projects (166)
  • Motor Controllers (25)
  • Oscillator Circuits (57)
  • Power Supply Circuits (202)
  • Remote Control Circuits (10)
  • Renewable energy (1)
  • Security and Protection (78)
  • Sensors and Detectors (195)
  • Solar Circuits (31)
  • Timer Circuits (56)
  • Transistor Circuits (150)
  • Transmitter Circuit (20)
  • Tutorials (9)
  • Voltage Regulator (19)
  • Water Level Controller (10)

Recent Posts

  • Low Current Controlled Battery Charger Circuit using LM723 IC
  • 741 Op-Amp Treble Booster Circuit
  • Simple Diode and Transistor Based Audio Limiter Circuit
  • Simple 500mW Speaker Driver Circuit
  • Easy DIY LM386 Audio Amplifier Circuit

Recent Comments

  1. Tony Gallegos on NTC Thermistor Based Temperature to Voltage Converter Circuit
  2. colin on Simple Single Transistor Audio Amplifier Circuit
  3. How to Make a Bird Chirping Noise Easily on Chirping Bird Sound Generator Circuit
  4. Transistor Based Medium Impedance Preamplifier Circuit - Circuit Ideas for You on Low Impedance Input Transistor Preamplifier Circuit
  5. Admin-Lavi on Alternate Red Green LED Flasher Circuit

Copyright © 2026 | New Circuit Ideas