Do it yourself
Life hacks, master classes, useful tips, recipes.
home » Electronics » DIY electronics » The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

Hello, friends! I want to tell you how you can create something useful using an old mobile phone. Namely, this will be the simplest GSM alarm system, with which you can remotely control various objects, such as a cottage or apartment.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

What do we need


  • any mobile phone with a push-button keyboard;
  • soldering iron;
  • two screws;
  • unused bank plastic card;
  • clothespin;
  • two neodymium magnets in the form of tablets with a diameter of about 10 mm;
  • a rectangular plate made of plastic or plywood measuring approximately 50x100 mm.

You will also need a sharp knife (preferably a shoemaker's type), sandpaper, glue, and a small gas burner (you can use a lighter).

Let's get started


So, let's begin. The first thing you need to do is turn on the speed dial feature on your phone. Next, we assign a key to dial the number to which we want to receive notifications. I decided to use the "2" button.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

After that, we proceed to disassembling the phone.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

We need to get to the button circuit board.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

The board contains round contact plates, each of which corresponds to a specific phone button. On top, the board with plates is covered with a polymer film, into which elastic silicone elements are built in, which act as springs when the buttons are pressed.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

Each silicone spring contains a metallized pad, which, when pressed, closes the contact plates.
Carefully remove the film from the board. Looking ahead, I will say that we have to solder the contact pads. Therefore, it would be a good idea to wipe the area of ​​the speed dial button we have assigned with a napkin soaked in solvent. In my case, as I said, it's a two.
Now we solder two wires to the contacts of our speed dial button.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

I had at my disposal a copper enameled winding wire with a diameter of 0.2 mm. The length of the wires should be such that their free ends extend beyond the phone body after assembly by 10 - 15 cm. Regarding the wire, I can say the following. It can be anything, the main thing is that its thickness does not interfere with the assembly of the phone after soldering.
Before soldering, you need to remove the insulation from the tip of the wire. If it is an enamel wire, like mine, this can be done using sandpaper. But first it is better to try to tin the tip without removing the insulation. The varnish with which the wire is coated can melt under the influence of the temperature of the soldering iron and the tip of the wire will be covered with a thin layer of tin, which is what is required. If that doesn't work, you'll have to strip the insulation. This must be done carefully; a wire as thick as mine can be torn very easily.
Having finished with soldering, we paste the film that we removed from the board into place. But before that, we remove all the conductive plates from it; they will no longer be needed.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

Now we assemble the phone, insert a working SIM card and a battery into it. Two wires, as already mentioned, should go out.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

We strip the ends of the wires from insulation (I did this using a small gas torch).
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

We wrap the exposed sections of wires around screws, screws or self-tapping screws. I used two screws with a threaded part diameter of about 4 mm.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

Now we take out our clothespin. In both of its doors we drill holes according to the diameter of the selected screws.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

We insert the screws into the holes in such a way that when released, the clothespin presses their heads together, ensuring good electrical contact (it doesn’t hurt to sand the screw heads for this). The screws on the reverse side must be secured with nuts or glue. I used hot glue.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

The resulting system must be secured to a plastic or plywood plate. I put the phone on double-sided tape and glued a clothespin.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

The glue should not prevent the clothespin from opening and closing.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

If you now insert a plastic card between the screws, then turn on the phone and remove the card from the clothespin, a call will follow to the number you selected.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

Thus, we have a simple security alarm that can be used in various ways.
I suggest using a system to alarm when the front door of a house or apartment is opened. To do this, cut out a strip from a plastic card, the width of which is slightly larger than the diameter of the magnets.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

After heating the middle of the strip with a torch or lighter, bend it 90 degrees. One of the sides of the resulting corner will serve as an insulating gasket between the contact screws in the clothespin; we glue one magnet to the second side. This side will face the door frame.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

Now we glue the plate with the phone and clothespin to the door with double-sided tape. We insert a curved strip of plastic with a magnet into a clothespin, install a second magnet on the glued magnet and apply glue to its outer surface.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

After closing the door, glue the second magnet to the stationary part of the door frame or jamb.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

The result should be the following. When the door is closed, a piece of card is clamped with a clothespin, providing insulation between the screws. When the door is opened, the clothespin and telephone come off along with the door, and a strip of plastic, pressed with strong magnets to the door frame, jamb or wall, remains in place. The clothespin compresses the screw heads and the phone dials the specified number.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

This way, you will receive a call on your mobile when someone opens your front door. By the way, if you answer this call, you will hear what is happening there.
To deactivate the system, you need to go inside, disconnect the plastic corner held by the magnet and insert it into the clothespin. The call button contact will be disconnected.
The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

The simplest GSM alarm from an old phone

Conclusion


The installation location of the telephone with a clothespin, as well as the size and shape of the insulating plate depend on the configuration of your door. Therefore, in each specific case these issues must be resolved individually.

Watch the video


come back
Comment
  • bowtiesmilelaughingblushsmileyrelaxed relaxedsmirk
    heart_eyeskissing_heartkissing_closed_eyesflushedrelievedsatisfiedgrin
    winkstuck_out_tongue_winking_eyestuck_out_tongue_closed_eyesgrinningkissingstuck_out_tonguesleeping
    worriedfrowninganguishedopen_mouthgrimacingconfusedhushed
    expressionlessunamusedsweat_smilesweatdisappointed_relievedwearypassive
    disappointedconfoundedfearfulcold_sweatperseverecrysob
    joyastonishedscreamtired_faceangryragetriumph
    sleepyyummasksunglassesdizzy_faceimpsmiling_imp
    neutral_faceno_mouthinnocent
4 minus one =
Comments (15)
  1. Guest Vladimir
    #1 Guest Vladimir Guests 5 April 2019 13:13
    46
    The idea is generally not bad. You just need a constant power supply, after all, this is an alarm system. And old phones' batteries are always worn out and don't hold a charge for long.
  2. Guest Alexander
    #2 Guest Alexander Guests April 6, 2019 09:20
    35
    Instead of using clothespins, you can connect the contacts to a motion sensor. My old phone can sit in standby mode for several months! By the way, thieves can use a jammer.
  3. Alexei
    #3 Alexei Guests 6 April 2019 18:39
    41
    Damn, what difficulties with the clothespin! Take a reed switch and a magnet and that's it!!!
    1. Emelyan
      #4 Emelyan Guests 7 April 2019 15:03
      40
      That's right, while reading I also thought that a reed switch pair is simpler.
    2. Alexey_S
      #5 Alexey_S Guests 11 April 2019 21:53
      32
      Reed switch (standard QMS) - to open... DOG...)))
  4. BANNED
    #6 BANNED Guests April 7, 2019 08:01
    34
    Don't forget to pay the bill, and if there is a monthly subscription fee.....
  5. discus62
    #7 discus62 Guests April 7, 2019 09:08
    49
    How to leave the apartment after activating the system?
    1. Alexey_S
      #8 Alexey_S Guests 11 April 2019 21:52
      25
      How, how.. through an unlocked window, for example..)))
  6. Igor
    #9 Igor Guests 11 April 2019 22:00
    37
    You can then enjoy listening to how thieves rob your apartment. And even talk to them.
  7. Martin
    #10 Martin Guests 18 April 2019 19:22
    31
    I’ve been using this in my workshop for a long time, but it reacts to the motion sensor even in complete darkness to breaking into a wall or any penetration past the door))))
  8. Guest Sasha
    #11 Guest Sasha Guests 5 June 2019 10:41
    38
    It is enough to hang a sign on the door, which indicates that the apartment or other object is on a security alarm; no one will get in there.
  9. BoB4uK
    #12 BoB4uK Guests 29 June 2021 09:15
    24
    Reed switches, clothespins... this is all nonsense, as they say, “who knows what.” Better yet, tell me how the phone wakes up and dials a number from just closing a contact? One press of the button (clothespin contact) wakes me up, another starts the call, otherwise I can’t do it. That’s why I took a phone with a panic button (red), it’s also called a “grandmother’s phone”, here this button wakes you up and immediately rings with one press. For my purposes, one button is not enough, two actions are needed (when to turn off and turn on the power), that’s why I wanted to use two speed dial buttons, but as I already said, you need to press it twice. There is no desire to build something with a time relay, I want something simple.
    1. Yuri_
      #13 Yuri_ Visitors 29 June 2021 17:36
      39
      Better yet, tell me how the phone wakes up and dials a number from just closing a contact?
      The article shows a normal old phone with a normal black and white screen. There is no need to wake him up, and therefore he will actually dial a number normally after short-circuiting one button.

      For my purposes, one button is not enough, two actions are needed (when to turn off and turn on the power), that’s why I wanted to use two speed dial buttons, but as I already said, you need to press it twice. There is no desire to build something with a time relay, I want something simple.
      Two years ago I was asked to make something based on an old phone, where one button would not be enough, so I attached an Arduino to the phone.And since the phone was in very good condition, it became a pity to ruin it, so I attached the Arduino not to the buttons, but to the UART interface (by the way, it doesn’t matter what kind of screen the phone has). The phone was constantly powered by the charger, and the Arduino was connected to its battery.

      In that case, one of the functions of the product was to send an SMS indicating that the electricity in the outlet had run out, after which even if you turned it off, the owner would still quickly rush in and turn on the emergency generator. But if you turn off the phone programmatically, then its 100% charged battery, even dead, will last for a very long time for Arduino.
      1. BoB4uK
        #14 BoB4uK Guests June 30, 2021 01:43
        37
        In general, it’s clear that you need to select a phone that will work with one click. You can find them, but I have them all with batteries already in the trash. With Arduino it’s understandable, but it’s not my thing, then with the time relay, on Ali C005 I bought timers for 70 rubles, 10 pieces, they just lie idle. Well, for now let it work with one button, signaling that the power has been turned off. The alarm battery is also constantly connected to the charger, and I will also connect the phone to it. Now there is another problem, voice mail does not turn off (although they write that it is turned off) and is eating up my balance, I’ll go to the office tomorrow.
        I'll also try to bend the contacts on the relay, there are five switching groups. So, it is necessary for one contact to press (wake up) any of the buttons a little earlier, then dialing continues when the buttons are pressed.
        1. Yuri_
          #15 Yuri_ Visitors 30 June 2021 13:11
          38
          You can find them, but I have them all with batteries already in the trash.

          But since we open the phone and cut it, why should we suffer about the battery? We take any “unframed” one with wire leads, solder the protection board to them (if the battery doesn’t have one), and solder the board with wires to any suitable points in the phone.

Pickled carrot sticks in 10 minutes

How to make an instant heater from an induction cooker

Crafts - Do it yourself, step-by-step master classes | Page 58

How to make a tool for easy removal of large weeds with your own hands

«Do it yourself - with your own hands» - a site of interesting homemade products made from scrap materials and items at home. Step-by-step master classes with photos and descriptions, technologies, life hacks - everything a real master or just a craftsman needs for needlework. Crafts of any complexity, a large selection of directions and ideas for creativity.

We recommend reading

Washing machine error codes