wireless doorbells

Posted by Dennis M on October 14, 2009, 12:31 am

>And, does the OP's house have metal siding? Metal siding greatly reduces
>the penetration of the transmitter signal to the inside the house. I had
>steel siding at the old place & this one; the old place had wireless
>doorbells that didn't always work, even with new batteries. This place has
>wired doorbells that always work.

No I don't have metal siding, I have a brick house (with a little vinyl
siding on the top part of the front) but the push buttons are mounted on
aluminum door frames. The signal from the back push button has to travel
about 25' to the receiver, and the front one only 11'.

>The OP's remedy is to install wired doorbells.

Nah, it wouldn't be worth the bother/expense, I rarely get any visitors
anyway. :)

Actually the wireless solution has worked fine for two years, I'd just buy
a completely new unit if this one has gone on the fritz instead of putting
a wired one in.

Posted by Ian Jackson on October 14, 2009, 8:14 am

>> It's not just weather stations. It's any kind or thermometer that
>> uses wireless for communications. Most of them are on 433.925Mhz.
>> Also remotes for air conditioners, room lighting, door locks, vehicle
>> alarms, vehicle keys, SCADA systems, and mess of other gadgets that
>> involve key fobs and very low speed/thruput wireless data. Just enter
>> "433.925" into a Google search for some hints.

>Also add "ham radio" to that list. 420-450 mHz is a popular ham radio band.
>The same 420-450 mHz band is where the US Air Force's "Pave PAWS"
>radars operate; they have a range of over 3,000 miles. Located at Otis
>AFB, MA, Beale AFB, CA and Clear AFS, AK, these radar beams extend out
>over the ocean, primarily.
>And, does the OP's house have metal siding? Metal siding greatly
>reduces the penetration of the transmitter signal to the inside the
>house. I had steel siding at the old place & this one; the old place
>had wireless doorbells that didn't always work, even with new
>batteries. This place has wired doorbells that always work.
>The OP's remedy is to install wired doorbells.

Don't forget that these wireless devices are "made to a price". They
usually employ the minimum amount of circuitry which enables them to
function. They may respond to an RF signal on almost ANY frequency,
provided it is strong enough. It doesn't have to have the correct coding
etc.

Of course, 'electronic' wired devices (even those where no 'frequency'
is involved) also can also suffer from RF interference. But a purely
'electrical' device - like a doorbell - should be OK.
--
Ian

Posted by on October 14, 2009, 6:04 pm

On Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:14:58 +0100, Ian Jackson

>>> It's not just weather stations. It's any kind or thermometer that
>>> uses wireless for communications. Most of them are on 433.925Mhz.
>>> Also remotes for air conditioners, room lighting, door locks, vehicle
>>> alarms, vehicle keys, SCADA systems, and mess of other gadgets that
>>> involve key fobs and very low speed/thruput wireless data. Just enter
>>> "433.925" into a Google search for some hints.

>>Also add "ham radio" to that list. 420-450 mHz is a popular ham radio band.
>>The same 420-450 mHz band is where the US Air Force's "Pave PAWS"
>>radars operate; they have a range of over 3,000 miles. Located at Otis
>>AFB, MA, Beale AFB, CA and Clear AFS, AK, these radar beams extend out
>>over the ocean, primarily.
>>And, does the OP's house have metal siding? Metal siding greatly
>>reduces the penetration of the transmitter signal to the inside the
>>house. I had steel siding at the old place & this one; the old place
>>had wireless doorbells that didn't always work, even with new
>>batteries. This place has wired doorbells that always work.
>>The OP's remedy is to install wired doorbells.

>Don't forget that these wireless devices are "made to a price". They
>usually employ the minimum amount of circuitry which enables them to
>function. They may respond to an RF signal on almost ANY frequency,
>provided it is strong enough. It doesn't have to have the correct coding
>etc.
>Of course, 'electronic' wired devices (even those where no 'frequency'
>is involved) also can also suffer from RF interference. But a purely
>'electrical' device - like a doorbell - should be OK.

Years back a cop cruiser keying his mic out front could make many
garage door openers operate.

Posted by propman on October 14, 2009, 6:21 pm

clare@snyder.on.ca wrote:

>
> Years back a cop cruiser keying his mic out front could make many
> garage door openers operate.

....real bummer if using said garage for growing a little personal
stash. ;-)

Posted by Dennis M on October 14, 2009, 12:22 am

>Good idea. I'm betting on water instead of spiders or bugs. Alcohol
>does a good job of dissolving bug goo and displacing the water. While
>your at it, change the code anyway.

I think I'll clean out the back door push button and try some fresh "C"
batteries in the receiver before I start fooling around with the code. I
appreciate your diligent input Jeff.

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wireless doorbells - Page 3