I have a Sears garage door opener and the remote really sucks. I need two and the original didn't survive it's sojourn into the washing machine. I don't want to pay another $30 for another one that barely works. Can I get a cheaper one somewhere else and can I improve the reception on them?
Check to be sure you have fresh batteries. The way I can tell my battery is about to die is when I can't open the garage from the corner.
Also check to be sure the receiving antenna is properly deployed. If it's a wire type and is all coiled up it's not going to be as effective. Depending on the model you may also have some sort of little dipole antenna that plugs into a socket on the back. If that's missing, it won't work worth a flip.
$30 bucks is pretty cheap for a digital garage door opener. The last one I bought for a non-Sears type was over $50.
From what I understand, a few years back, the FCC made manufacturers reduce the output of the remotes, as they were interfering with other electrical devices.
If you think a weak signal is a pain in the ass at home, imagine trying to get the door down as you're trying to leave the firehouse in a hurry.
billy3esq wrote: Check to be sure you have fresh batteries. The way I can tell my battery is about to die is when I can't open the garage from the corner. Also check to be sure the receiving antenna is properly deployed. If it's a wire type and is all coiled up it's not going to be as effective. Depending on the model you may also have some sort of little dipole antenna that plugs into a socket on the back. If that's missing, it won't work worth a flip. $30 bucks is pretty cheap for a digital garage door opener. The last one I bought for a non-Sears type was over $50.
I pulled the wire down straight which improved it from 50 feet to about 80. So that's better than nothing. Didn't see a dipole one. Wonder if lengthening the existing one would improve it. Thanks, Billy
Hasbro wrote: I pulled the wire down straight which improved it from 50 feet to about 80. So that's better than nothing. Didn't see a dipole one. Wonder if lengthening the existing one would improve it. Thanks, Billy
kind of......for best results, you need to find out the wavelength of the RF Signal fed to the receiver.
your antenna length will be based off of that number.
I'm sure you've heard the term microwave (it's a a measurement of length in rf) 3meter band radios etc.
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