Re: Can wireless reliability be enhanced?

[nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston)]

Without seeing the device or a schematic for it I really can't say. With
some of the X-10 RF modules there is a possibility of getting 120V on the
antenna and creating a life threatening hazard. Plug'n'Power sounds like
X-10 but RS has been replacing some X-10 designs with their own.

Is there an FCC ID number on the device? Sometimes there are schematics in
the papers filed with the FCC.

"Ken Gibson" <jayel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>Dave,
>
>I appreciate the information you provided!
>
>I was wondering if I could use a TV UHF antenna amplifier on a Radio Shack
>Plug n Power security master unit that has a 12" telescoping antenna?  If
>so, how would I connect the amplfier?
>
>Thanks for any help,
>
>Ken Gibson
>
>"Dave Houston" <nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>news:43e23b83.132878750@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> The "specified range" is usually overly optimistic.
>>
>> The FCC prohibits any changes to the transmitter or its antenna. It's also
>> easy to detune many transmitters by soldering connections to the
>> components
>> that control the frequency.
>>
>> The FCC doesn't care whether you improve the antenna on the receiver. How
>> you do this depends on the specific receiver, whether there's any shock
>> hazard, and what frequency it uses. In general, a centrally located
>> efficient antenna with a UHF preamp will work wonders, giving range of
>> 150-200'.
>>
>> Sometime in the next few weeks I'll need to setup another web page for
>> roZetta ( a device under development). I'll include my pages on antenna
>> design for HA purposes.
>>
>> All of your transmitters should have FCC ID numbers on them. You can
>> determine the frequency from the FCC.
>>
>>     https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/cf/eas/reports/GenericSearch.cfm
>>
>> If they are all in the 300-434MHz range you might see a worthwhile
>> increase
>> in range by mounting a 12-18" piece of stiff wire (e.g. coat hanger wire)
>> close (within 1/4" or so) to the transmitter without actually making any
>> type of connection. Use the shorter length for the higher frequencies.
>>
>> "Ken Gibson" <jayel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>>>I have found wireless communication to be unreliable.  The wireless links
>>>for my Davis Vantage Pro weather station, Radio Shack security system and
>>>Motorola telephone and intercom are all intermittent.  They are all within
>>>the specified range and have no metal to shield the communication.  I'm
>>>not
>>>surprised by the Radio Shack wireless link because it is inexpensive.  I
>>>plan to replace the Davis wireless link with a wire if possible.
>>>
>>>Does anyone know of a method of extending wireless communication range and
>>>reliability?  Can small antennas be used to improve reliability?
>>>
>>>Any help will be appreciated!
>>>
>>>Ken Gibson
>>
>