increase range of remote

[robjen]

I recieved my new remote about a week ago, and it seemed that the range was not verygood on it. So I cracked it open to see what type of antenna it had. It was nothing more than a 1 inch piece of wire. so I soldered a 6 inch piece to the end of the antenna and coiled it around inside the casing.

Now the remote not only works in my easy chair, but also from upstairs.

Just thought Id pass this on, even though, its probably been discussed before

[y2kbug]

Robjen, I read your post and you got me thinking. I didn't want to open my Firefly remote risking breakage and all that (I'm kinda clumsy), so I bought a USB cable extension so I could put the remote's receiver above my TV. It is now on top of my entertainment center, like a radio tower on a mountain, and my remote's reception is flawless. Thank you for sharing your solution and getting my noggin's rusty wheels spinning.

[Gomjabar]

Hey im wanting to try this but im curious how you got the remote open without damaging the case? Im thinking about taking a screw driver and prying it open but im afraid it will damage the outside of the remote.

[robjen]

well, i did ding my remote a little on the sides, but I did find out how to take it apart.

if you take the battery cover off, you can see two holes on the bottom I just put a screwdriver in those holes and twisted untill the case started to split. Then I took a small screw driver and ran it along the side and separated the hooks that keep it toghter, I think there was 3 per side. I scratched mine a little cause I was a little rough, but if you use something thin and plastic (old credit card and slide it along the edge it probabley won't damage it. After inside it is pretty self explainitory.

[Gomjabar]

Well, got the remote apart without scratching it up too much. Only one visible spot where its just slightly scratched. Sodered on 8 inches of wire and put the remote back together. Now my range is about 70 feet through walls.

[dheinle]

I tried this on a ATI remote wonder with no luck. It actually did not work at all until I removed the additional legth of wire.

Guess I need to buy a firefly.

Dennis

[tjodork]

so technically is 6" better than 8" or vice-versa ?
Also, it was mentioned that it was coiled? Is that important or was that
just to fit in case? If important...what diameter was coil ? Thanks

[robjen]

Short answer (yes)

I didn't coil mine, I ran it all the way around the inside of the remote I didnt' overlap it at all.

[tjodork]

Well, I finally broke down and tried this because when I'm in bed the remote is just at the limit of the range and I would have to get out of bed and walk 5-6 ft closer to receiver on floor below.
Well, I looked up the frequency of the remote and calculated the 1/4 and 1/2 wave antenna lengths (6.5" and approx 13") respectively. I started with the 6.5" and it didnt do any noticable improvement. I then did the 13" and with the length sticking straight out I could get another 15-20' basically as far away from receiver that I can get in house and still works perfectly. I then tried multiple options to coiling the 13" of wire inside the remote but every time I did, I lost some of the range (not all).
I finally decided that I would leave the 13" of wire sticking out the top and it works awesome. Since I have another firefly, I will leave the "long-range" unit in my bedroom and the other one can be used in family room and basement rec room where range isn't an issue.

[jbartlett777]

I had my firefly receiver sitting on top of my computer case and had crappy reception. I moved it away from the metal case and reception hasn't been a problem.

Get this - the living room receiver waaaaaaay on the other side of the house, sitting on the floor, a good 40 or more feet away, keeps picking up my bedroom remote. Time to figure out how to change the channel.