Extending range of wireless motion sensor
 

I just bought a 400 ft wireless motion sensor and cannot get the
distance I want (big suprise :) ). Anyway, I have read a lot about
directional antenas as well as cantenna's on newsgroups and websites
when I was researching options for my home wireless network.

What I would like is a directional (beam) type antenna to see if I can
go the full 400+ feet I really need to go. Could a cantenna or
something of simular design work? I'm not an expert at radio or
electronics, but I can follow directions. Any other suggestions would
also be appreciated.

I have one of those 1000ft driveway sensors and could not get the
range. Hooking up the receiver to my old television antenna, which I
don't use anymore due to DISH, worked like a charm. I tried the same
idea and it seemed to work at first with a dipole antenna conntected
to the transmitter, but then stopped and never worked again. Not sure
why. It still works at shorter ranges.

Thanks in advance.

Ivan

Well, I did get it working with a different dipole. Now my problem is
when the antenna is connected to the motion sensor, it continuously
trips the motion sensor. If I unplug it, it only trips when it senses
motion. Could some sort of interference/noise received by the dipole
be causing the unit to trip all the time? How could I solve this?

I know my questions are not specifically related to amateur radios,
but I figured this would be the best place to find an answer as I am
dealing with signal transmission and antennas.

Cheers,
Ivan

On Sat, 30 Aug 2003 23:28:54 -0700, Ivan H
wrote:

I just bought a 400 ft wireless motion sensor and cannot get the
distance I want (big suprise :) ). Anyway, I have read a lot about
directional antenas as well as cantenna's on newsgroups and websites
when I was researching options for my home wireless network.

What I would like is a directional (beam) type antenna to see if I can
go the full 400+ feet I really need to go. Could a cantenna or
something of simular design work? I'm not an expert at radio or
electronics, but I can follow directions. Any other suggestions would
also be appreciated.

I have one of those 1000ft driveway sensors and could not get the
range. Hooking up the receiver to my old television antenna, which I
don't use anymore due to DISH, worked like a charm. I tried the same
idea and it seemed to work at first with a dipole antenna conntected
to the transmitter, but then stopped and never worked again. Not sure
why. It still works at shorter ranges.

Thanks in advance.

Ivan

Seems to me you are picking up too many signals and/or noise.

If unplugging the 'extra' antenna allows it to only trip when there is
motion.....is that not what you want?

Dan/W4NTI

"Ivan H" wrote in message
...
Well, I did get it working with a different dipole. Now my problem is
when the antenna is connected to the motion sensor, it continuously
trips the motion sensor. If I unplug it, it only trips when it senses
motion. Could some sort of interference/noise received by the dipole
be causing the unit to trip all the time? How could I solve this?

I know my questions are not specifically related to amateur radios,
but I figured this would be the best place to find an answer as I am
dealing with signal transmission and antennas.

Cheers,
Ivan

On Sat, 30 Aug 2003 23:28:54 -0700, Ivan H
wrote:

I just bought a 400 ft wireless motion sensor and cannot get the
distance I want (big suprise :) ). Anyway, I have read a lot about
directional antenas as well as cantenna's on newsgroups and websites
when I was researching options for my home wireless network.

What I would like is a directional (beam) type antenna to see if I can
go the full 400+ feet I really need to go. Could a cantenna or
something of simular design work? I'm not an expert at radio or
electronics, but I can follow directions. Any other suggestions would
also be appreciated.

I have one of those 1000ft driveway sensors and could not get the
range. Hooking up the receiver to my old television antenna, which I
don't use anymore due to DISH, worked like a charm. I tried the same
idea and it seemed to work at first with a dipole antenna conntected
to the transmitter, but then stopped and never worked again. Not sure
why. It still works at shorter ranges.

Thanks in advance.

Ivan