Increase range of keyless remotes?
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From: Pacific Northwest
Increase range of keyless remotes?
Anyone know how to increase the operating distance of the remotes used with keyless entry? Could the antenna inside the remotes be improved? I looked inside my remote and it's hard to figure out where the antenna is. There is a trace on the circuit board that goes around the perimeter of the board. Is that the antenna? Could an extra wire cut to the proper length for the frequency be added to the existing antenna?
Where is the receiving antenna for the RAP module located? Could a wire antenna be made to go around the windshield to improve reception?
Now I'll really go out on a limb - Could a battery of about the same physical size but slightly higher voltage be installed in the transmitter? The original is 3V. What if a battery in the 4-6V range was available? You guys test this one first! I'm out of warranty!
Uh-oh! I think I heard a cracking noise. It's either the limb or the responses I'll get to these questions.
Where is the receiving antenna for the RAP module located? Could a wire antenna be made to go around the windshield to improve reception?
Now I'll really go out on a limb - Could a battery of about the same physical size but slightly higher voltage be installed in the transmitter? The original is 3V. What if a battery in the 4-6V range was available? You guys test this one first! I'm out of warranty!
Uh-oh! I think I heard a cracking noise. It's either the limb or the responses I'll get to these questions.
Last edited by rawen; Nov 9, 2001 at 12:30 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Dallas, TX, USA
Now don't laugh cause I haven't started hitting the beer yet......
Hold the remote against your chin when you click. Don't ask me why it works further away but it does. Maybe it makes your whole body an antenna.??????
Now, it is Miller Lite time, ..........almost.
Hold the remote against your chin when you click. Don't ask me why it works further away but it does. Maybe it makes your whole body an antenna.??????
Now, it is Miller Lite time, ..........almost.
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Texas
Now I can picture everyone who just read the part about putting it up to your chin is going out to their truck while no one is looking and put the remote up next to their chin trying it out. It's just one of those funny curious things that you have to try out 
anyways well I gotta go, You said next to the chin or on the chin? lol
anyways well I gotta go, You said next to the chin or on the chin? lol
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Joined: Jan 1999
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From: Great Lakes
Dewayne is correct. Just hold the remote up to your forehead. My remote works from roughly 100' when I do it, opposed to 60' when I just hold it in my hand.
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From: Pacific Northwest
1. Well... the first thing I did was put in a new battery.
2. I'd like it to work from a distance of about 150' if possible.
3. I'll try the chin and forehead tricks... but I'm doing it from INSIDE the apartment. You know how Mrs. Cravits across the street gets about strange goings on. Maybe if I wiggled my nose at the same time? I knew I was asking for it...
The reason is that I installed a remote start in my company vehicle that triggers off of the door locks. So far I've been able to park close enough to the apt. that it has worked pretty well, but it sometimes takes a few tries. I noticed that holding it in different orientations does make a difference. Just never thought to hold it against my chin or forehead.
I'll only have it for another year (end of lease) and wanted a simpler install, keep the factory remote, spend less money, etc. or I would have gotten a starter with a 1000' range. Beginning of next year I'll be out of my temporary living quarters and have a garage again. Can't wait. But in the meantime mornings like today when it was 21 deg outside I really appreciate less scraping.
Thanks for the help even though it was just a bit less technical than I thought it would be...
Standing well inside from the patio door I tried the forehead and chin method. It does seem to help somewhat.
2. I'd like it to work from a distance of about 150' if possible.
3. I'll try the chin and forehead tricks... but I'm doing it from INSIDE the apartment. You know how Mrs. Cravits across the street gets about strange goings on. Maybe if I wiggled my nose at the same time? I knew I was asking for it...
The reason is that I installed a remote start in my company vehicle that triggers off of the door locks. So far I've been able to park close enough to the apt. that it has worked pretty well, but it sometimes takes a few tries. I noticed that holding it in different orientations does make a difference. Just never thought to hold it against my chin or forehead.
I'll only have it for another year (end of lease) and wanted a simpler install, keep the factory remote, spend less money, etc. or I would have gotten a starter with a 1000' range. Beginning of next year I'll be out of my temporary living quarters and have a garage again. Can't wait. But in the meantime mornings like today when it was 21 deg outside I really appreciate less scraping.
Thanks for the help even though it was just a bit less technical than I thought it would be...
Standing well inside from the patio door I tried the forehead and chin method. It does seem to help somewhat.
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Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Palm Beach County, FL
Rawen,
Most of what you observed and have suggested is true with the exception of increasing the batery voltage. Don't do that.
The remote's antenna is likely the trace you saw or one similar.
The key to any radio transmission and reception can be simplified to three main factors. The antenns(s) height and gain, and the transmitters output power.
Increasing either antennas length will increase it's gain but it must be done in specific length intervals and that lenght varies with frequency. Other adjustments would also need to be made for proper matching.
Increasing the antenna heights reduces the effect of obstacles between them.
And of course increasing the transmitters power improves the penetration of the radio waves.
So all that you have mentioned is true but not really practical with the factory system.
As far as the "chin" thing... if it works for you fine, but:
"body enhancement" (or the close proximity of your body to a radio's antenna) is usually only helpful in the receiving of signals when designed properly. A specific example is pagers, they were designed to work best next to your body where they're worn.
Otherwise you body tends to absorb some of the energy making it less efficient.
It's most likely the raising of the remote that is responsible for the improved range. Try it over your head while minimizing the amount of keyfob surrounded by your hand. It should be even better.
As far as operating it inside... now you are introducing obstacles between you and the car as well as the reflections created by the house and objects inside. You will have to hunt around for the "sweet spot" and hope that it's convenient.
One other thing to consider is that the location of the car referenced to the keyfob. In other words it may work better on one side or the other, or front or rear of the truck. Mine is an aftermarket , self installed, so i con't help with testing the factory system.
Aftermarket systems typically out-perform factory systems and don't cost much more (if any) installed (less if you do it yourself).
Consider that "next time"!
Good Luck... XLT_D
Most of what you observed and have suggested is true with the exception of increasing the batery voltage. Don't do that.
The remote's antenna is likely the trace you saw or one similar.
The key to any radio transmission and reception can be simplified to three main factors. The antenns(s) height and gain, and the transmitters output power.
Increasing either antennas length will increase it's gain but it must be done in specific length intervals and that lenght varies with frequency. Other adjustments would also need to be made for proper matching.
Increasing the antenna heights reduces the effect of obstacles between them.
And of course increasing the transmitters power improves the penetration of the radio waves.
So all that you have mentioned is true but not really practical with the factory system.
As far as the "chin" thing... if it works for you fine, but:
"body enhancement" (or the close proximity of your body to a radio's antenna) is usually only helpful in the receiving of signals when designed properly. A specific example is pagers, they were designed to work best next to your body where they're worn.
Otherwise you body tends to absorb some of the energy making it less efficient.
It's most likely the raising of the remote that is responsible for the improved range. Try it over your head while minimizing the amount of keyfob surrounded by your hand. It should be even better.
As far as operating it inside... now you are introducing obstacles between you and the car as well as the reflections created by the house and objects inside. You will have to hunt around for the "sweet spot" and hope that it's convenient.
One other thing to consider is that the location of the car referenced to the keyfob. In other words it may work better on one side or the other, or front or rear of the truck. Mine is an aftermarket , self installed, so i con't help with testing the factory system.
Aftermarket systems typically out-perform factory systems and don't cost much more (if any) installed (less if you do it yourself).
Consider that "next time"!
Good Luck... XLT_D
Last edited by XceLenT Driver; Nov 10, 2001 at 10:58 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 243
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From: Palm Beach County, FL
Rawen,
Most of what you observed and have suggested is true with the exception of increasing the batery voltage. Don't do that.
The remote's antenna is likely the trace you saw or one similar.
The key to any radio transmission and reception can be simplified to three main factors. The antenns(s) height and gain, and the transmitters output power.
Increasing either antennas length will increase it's gain but it must be done in specific length intervals and that lenght varies with frequency. Other adjustments would also need to be made for proper matching.
Increasing the antenna heights reduces the effect of obstacles between them.
And of course increasing the transmitters power improves the penetration of the radio waves.
So all that you have mentioned is true but not really practical with the factory system.
As far as the "chin" thing... if it works for you fine, but:
"body enhancement" (or the close proximity of your body to a radio's antenna) is usually only helpful in the receiving of signals when designed properly. A specific example is pagers, they were designed to work best next to your body where they're worn.
Otherwise you body tends to absorb some of the energy making it less efficient.
It's most likely the raising of the remote that is responsible for the improved range. Try it over your head while minimizing the amount of keyfob surrounded by your hand. It should be even better.
As far as operating it insde... now you are introducing obstacles between you and the car as well as the reflections created by the house and objects inside. You will have to hunt around for the "sweet spot" and hope that it's convenient.
Aftermarket systems typically out-perform factory systems and don't cost much more (if any) installed (less if you do it yourself).
Consider that "next time"!
Good Luck... XLT_D
Most of what you observed and have suggested is true with the exception of increasing the batery voltage. Don't do that.
The remote's antenna is likely the trace you saw or one similar.
The key to any radio transmission and reception can be simplified to three main factors. The antenns(s) height and gain, and the transmitters output power.
Increasing either antennas length will increase it's gain but it must be done in specific length intervals and that lenght varies with frequency. Other adjustments would also need to be made for proper matching.
Increasing the antenna heights reduces the effect of obstacles between them.
And of course increasing the transmitters power improves the penetration of the radio waves.
So all that you have mentioned is true but not really practical with the factory system.
As far as the "chin" thing... if it works for you fine, but:
"body enhancement" (or the close proximity of your body to a radio's antenna) is usually only helpful in the receiving of signals when designed properly. A specific example is pagers, they were designed to work best next to your body where they're worn.
Otherwise you body tends to absorb some of the energy making it less efficient.
It's most likely the raising of the remote that is responsible for the improved range. Try it over your head while minimizing the amount of keyfob surrounded by your hand. It should be even better.
As far as operating it insde... now you are introducing obstacles between you and the car as well as the reflections created by the house and objects inside. You will have to hunt around for the "sweet spot" and hope that it's convenient.
Aftermarket systems typically out-perform factory systems and don't cost much more (if any) installed (less if you do it yourself).
Consider that "next time"!
Good Luck... XLT_D
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 18
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From: Pacific Northwest
XceLenT,
Thanks for the response. I have an electronics background, but I don't work with transmitters. Let's suppose I decided to experiment with adding some antenna length to my remote by soldering some small gauge enamel insulated wire to the trace that is the antenna. The extra length could be coiled around the interior of the case. Correct me if I'm wrong but the inverse of the frequency is the wave length. How many wavelengths might possibly improve the range? Or is any multiple OK? I'm picturing a miniature version of the beam antennas that amatuers use. I would still have to find out what frequency they operate on.
As far as the remote starter, I installed it myself and didn't want to spend much because I don't own the vehicle and will only have it until Oct. of next year. Plus it already had keyless remote entry. For my personal ride I'm going to get an aftermarket unit that includes remote start and keyless entry since I have power locks but no remote. I'm leaning towards the Crimestopper RS999FM. The FM units have far greater range and penetrate better into parking garages which is where I usually park at work. This particular model has two-way operation so you don't need to be in visual range of your vehicle to know if it started or not. When the engine starts the starter unit sends a signal back to the remote verifying operation.
Thanks for the response. I have an electronics background, but I don't work with transmitters. Let's suppose I decided to experiment with adding some antenna length to my remote by soldering some small gauge enamel insulated wire to the trace that is the antenna. The extra length could be coiled around the interior of the case. Correct me if I'm wrong but the inverse of the frequency is the wave length. How many wavelengths might possibly improve the range? Or is any multiple OK? I'm picturing a miniature version of the beam antennas that amatuers use. I would still have to find out what frequency they operate on.
As far as the remote starter, I installed it myself and didn't want to spend much because I don't own the vehicle and will only have it until Oct. of next year. Plus it already had keyless remote entry. For my personal ride I'm going to get an aftermarket unit that includes remote start and keyless entry since I have power locks but no remote. I'm leaning towards the Crimestopper RS999FM. The FM units have far greater range and penetrate better into parking garages which is where I usually park at work. This particular model has two-way operation so you don't need to be in visual range of your vehicle to know if it started or not. When the engine starts the starter unit sends a signal back to the remote verifying operation.
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Joined: Oct 2001
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Ok - I bit.
I walked out for lunch and stuck the remote up to my chin, and OMG it worked great. I was getting about 40 feet normally, when I held it to my chin it worked for almost 200 feet. I was just amazed.
Maybe it is my fillings and gold crowns. I have just the right amount to create a 1/4 wave antenna for that particular frequency.
I walked out for lunch and stuck the remote up to my chin, and OMG it worked great. I was getting about 40 feet normally, when I held it to my chin it worked for almost 200 feet. I was just amazed.
Maybe it is my fillings and gold crowns. I have just the right amount to create a 1/4 wave antenna for that particular frequency.
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Covington, GA
My remote works from a long ways away (as much as 800') if I hold it over my head. It is the factory keyless and surprised the ***** out of me how far it will reach. 
I saw a thread awhile back about the receiving antenna in the truck. I think it is at the top of the dash in the center. You could try adding some length to this and running it up beside the windshield, but like XLT_D said you have to calculate the proper length.
I saw a thread awhile back about the receiving antenna in the truck. I think it is at the top of the dash in the center. You could try adding some length to this and running it up beside the windshield, but like XLT_D said you have to calculate the proper length.
