antenna/range question
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Security and Convenience
Forum Discription: Car Alarms, Keyless Entries, Remote Starters, Immobilizer Bypasses, Sensors, Door Locks, Window Modules, Heated Mirrors, Heated Seats, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=44894
Printed Date: May 17, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Topic: antenna/range question
Posted By: nkirk86
Subject: antenna/range question
Date Posted: December 10, 2004 at 1:57 PM
Well i have just installed on of the diy boa remote start sytems. And i decided to lengthen the antenna wire to get better range. It is now mounted next to the windshield on the drivers side. The problem is my range is only like 45 feet now (system advertised 500feet). Everything is hooked up properly, why is this happening? Also, is it true that tinted windows reflect the remotes signal? because mine are tinted. any help at all would be great. thanks nate
Replies:
Posted By: hagmanti
Date Posted: December 10, 2004 at 8:38 PM
What kind of antenna is it? Just a piece of wire? Or is it like a little module that 3 or 4 wires go to?
The little module's should definitely not be lengthed. The single pieces of wire can be, but then you want to experiment w/ placement of the part of the wire that's "above metal" for what gives the best results, and as bobk mentions, try different lengths..
Last but not least, manufacturers flat out lie about range. They measure out in the open, in the desert, w/ the unit outside a car, and take the very best measurement they get after trying 700 times. That's assuming they don't just tell the marketing department to pick a nice round number. Your mileage (will) vary.
Tint is just a very thin piece of metal. Radio waves don't go through metal...
Me
Posted By: mykicks007
Date Posted: December 11, 2004 at 11:32 AM
nkirk, i also bought that same system (boa DYI) and have the same problem, i called tech support and they said i could to 3 things to lengthen range 1) replace the standard remote battery from the one inside to TWO 2016 and stack them together 2) You can lengthen the antenna, but they said it has to be exactly double the length, and he really stressed exactly double, something to with the way rf signals work, but he said to make sure you make up the difference of the amount of wire you use when you connect the new wire to the antenna 3) Raise the antenna high as possible and vertical as possible, possibley going up the side of the windshield Hope this helps, lemme know ok ? ps ... i removed mine and took it back , then i bought a mannix sm700 2 way LCD alarm/remote start
Posted By: nkirk86
Date Posted: December 11, 2004 at 6:34 PM
Ok it is just a wire antenna for whoever asked. So should i just cut off what i added? i did ad alot. Right now it come out from under the dash right in the middle and right up against the windshield. Also, how would i go about solving the tint problem? is there like a little atenna i can buy or something? one more thing, does the battery thing really work? it sounds kind of fishy thanks alot for the help
Posted By: nkirk86
Date Posted: December 11, 2004 at 9:19 PM
well my antenna is just a wire by the way. so should i just chop off what i added? because the original length is a little less than a foot, and that would put it uder the dash, under metal, and next to all kinds of wires. would i really get better range like that? also if that is not the case, then what can i do about the window tint problem. any suggestions would help. i could settle for at least a hundred feet or something, and i do not have the money to buy a really nice one. thanks for the help so far! nate
Posted By: nkirk86
Date Posted: December 11, 2004 at 9:19 PM
well my antenna is just a wire by the way. so should i just chop off what i added? because the original length is a little less than a foot, and that would put it uder the dash, under metal, and next to all kinds of wires. would i really get better range like that? also if that is not the case, then what can i do about the window tint problem. any suggestions would help. i could settle for at least a hundred feet or something, and i do not have the money to buy a really nice one. thanks for the help so far! nate
Posted By: nkirk86
Date Posted: December 11, 2004 at 9:21 PM
whoa sorry i didnt realize the reply posted 3 times, it said it didnt work. sorry
Posted By: furredoutgixxer
Date Posted: December 11, 2004 at 9:28 PM
tinted windows interfere a little unless they are tinted with a full metalized film(one that advertized will not ever fade). the range should be lengthened exactly, more or less and it changes the frequency it recieved.
Posted By: mykicks007
Date Posted: December 12, 2004 at 12:11 PM
nkirk, the battery thing gives your remote more power, which inturn sends a stronger signal
Posted By: mykicks007
Date Posted: December 12, 2004 at 12:39 PM
This is what the tech guy said from DEI when i called tech support
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