Tin Foil Myth....

No.
There are companies that sell repeaters for homes that don't require wires hooked up to your phone & people have said they work very well.

 

You can purchase an external antenna for your phone if it has an external antenna jack. You can improve signal by 3-10 dB depending on antenna gain and coax/connector quality. By the same token, you can reduce signal if you buy cheap!
Check cellantenna.com

Note that only antenna adapters that make a metal to metal connection will actually work. Wire loops or plastic to plastic "induction" types will not do anything.

 

Wireless repeaters give you the most flexibility, but are VERY expensive, although coming down in price. I remember seeing one for about $300 bucks on Ebay (Buy Now price).

 

I know if they don't add a tower or antenna's to where i suggested, I may go for one of these when the price comes down some more, I can use my phone in the house, but there are a couple of area's that I can't & this would solve my problem. They are way cheaper then the prices of 600-700 when they 1st came out.

 

Are these technology specific? Could I get one that boosts the VZW and SPCS signal in my part of the building? Would it also boost GSM or not?

 

http://www.cellantenna.com/index.html

Go to this site, they have different models & some will work with both CDMA & GSM 850/1900.