What is a NFC Repeater?

NFC devices are all around us from Card Readers, to doorlocks, padlocks, even at restuarants for Wifi Access codes and Menus. These are the devices that allow you to tap your phone to pay, download a menu, or even share business card contacts. These all usually operate at the 13.56mhz frequency, and because of their variability the range can differ from device to device.

Our phones are a prime example of this. NFC Devices like our phones have decent NFC Functionality however that signal is degraded as we add things like cases to protect our devices.

That is where these NFC Repeaters come in. These devices when placed near an NFC field that is being generated from a Card Reader will take that signal and re-broadcast it to extend its functional read range. They can increase the read range 2-4x the normal read range of the device just by placing it between the reader and the tag.

How do you use it?

For devices like the Nothing Phone 2, it has a notoriously poor NFC reader attached to it. You can place this device inside, or by using one the flex repeaters, outside of the case near where the NFC antenna is and it will shape the signal and rebroadcast it out so other devices can be more functional.

How do i know where to place it?

You can look up a teardown document or video of where specifically your devices' internal NFC coil is. I reccomend placing the repeater over where the coil is overlapping the coil winds themselves. If you want a more concrete, "This is exactly where it should be placed" location, i reccomend using one of my NFC Field Detector/Repeater Locater devices. These devices are the exact same size as the repeaters, when in the pressence of an NFC field it will light up brightly. THen you can mark the location it lights the brightest and place the repeater exactly where it needs to be to function optimally.

What are some other use cases?

Door Locks are also a great place for these. Normally NFC Doorlocks are battery powered and very low energy. This will shape the signal and boost it if you are having readibility issues. Some users even embed these in Nintendo Switch Controllers to extend the Amiibo read ranges. I have even used these to boost the signal of an NFC Reader through my phone desk so i could mount the reader below my desk and clean up the clutter.

What's with the versions?

This device has undergone many different revisions. With each revision is a new version or formfactor. I will have these outlined as such

• V2.1 - Larger sized repeater 2.5in in diameter
• V3L - Large Repeater but passive with no extruding components
• V2.1s - Smaller repeater 1in in diameter
• V3 - Flex style repeater, 1in in diameter but .0070in thick (.0095in thick with adhesive backing). Price is for 1 repeater.

What is the bundle

The bundle is if you dont really know what your use-case is but you know you want one of these. You will receive:

• 1x White/Red/Green/Blue Field Detector/Repeater Placement Device
• 1x V2.1 Large Repeater
• 1x V3L Large Passive Repeater
• 1x V2.1 Small Repeater
• 1x V3 Flex Repeaters

Where can i place these

You can place them on any reader or device that operates on 13.56Mhz (most High Freqency NFC Devices). The Dangerous Things Community has a Wiki that documents best placement areas sorted by device here: Placement Wiki

INTERNATIONAL PURCHASES Of FLEX REPEATERS ONLY

For Those Outside of the United States that are interested in the V3 Flex Repeaters visit this listing here. Shipping is reduced for those that are ONLY purchasing flex repeaters. These will be mailed in standard envelopes.

International Listing for Flex Repeaters

License

V2.1, V3L, V3 Flex, V2.1s NFC Repeaters and Field Detectors © 2024 by Hamspiced is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0