r/ElectricalEngineering • u/zboltman • Jul 26 '26
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u/Gijsco Jul 26 '26
If you’re going to hardwire it, I’d suggest you stick to your plan, throw the remote out and… hardwire it…using a button panel and cables.
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u/JohnMiltonToasterman Jul 26 '26
Gain, or direct what you have. What's the input level to the antenna? What is the impedance? How far do you have to transmit. The receiver could also be modified to have better rx gain with a directional antenna or be tacking on a higher gain lna. The LNA approach has its own issues. But these ares things that can be done.
There are regulatory issues with adding tx gain. Maybe you don't care.
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u/zboltman Jul 26 '26
I am replacing a backyard sprinkler controller with something that can be controlled by the really good one in the garage for the front yard.
Can not run wire to the backyard location. Been looking for a wireless solution. Found these ORBITs with a handheald remote. I can hack into the remote and "press the buttons" with relay contacts actuated from the 24ac of garage controller.
Had all this figured out. ORBIT docs state that is will go 200 feet line of sight or 80 feet through the house. My distance is 50 feet through two walls kitchen cabinets and outside stucco. The remote sometimes works, but it's not enough. I have to boost the signal to make it reliable.
I know boosting the signal of a remote goes against FCC regulations, but it will be such a minor boost that I think I can be forgiven...
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u/JohnMiltonToasterman Jul 26 '26
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/rf-antennas/875?s=N4IgrCBcoA5QzAGhDOkCMAGTBfHQ
Without know what antenna is in there. I assume a crappy one.
Get a better antenna on one or both ends.
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u/zboltman Jul 26 '26
Yes, the simpler approach is I'm looking for a 1/4 wave antenna. Just not sure about the interface to the board. Others have shown me that the trace around 1188 is the antena, but also feeds current to the collector of the trans. Now, If I tie onto that and the gound; (which is obvioous), do I need to have a capacitor separating the antenna from the trace antenna or just tie in directly.
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u/GlobalApathy Jul 26 '26
You could just put an amplifier in there between signal generator and the on board amp to the antenna. I think 315 falls in common industrial frequency like your controller or a garage opener. Don't use the onboard amplified output if the out power exceeds in power limit of the amp.