RF Remote Question/Problem

[k2tech]

Had a problem with a RF remote setup the other day. Have an H21-100 receiver in the basement of a ranch house, output to 2 tv's upstairs, each no more than 30 ft from the receiver.

Programmed 2 RF remotes, one right after the other, to the receiver and tried it....nothing! Went downstairs within 5 feet of the receiver and both remotes worked fine. (Not pointing them at the receiver).

Thought at first maybe something in the house was blocking the signal, but customer originally had those old RCA cones that convert the IR into RF, then back from RF to IR thru a little eye at the receiver. Those still work, but not extremely well.

So....trying to figure out what is going on here. Only thing I could think is a bad antenna in the receiver?

Any other thoughts?

[BattleZone]

You either have some metal in the floor/ceiling that the signals are trying to get through or you have something (a motor, for example) generating some RF interference. Either way, because there's no external antenna, in my experience, if RF doesn't work, there's usually little that can be done to correct the problem short of moving the receiver.

[k2tech]

Thanks. I'll try moving the receiver and see what happens

[ThomasM]

I have those RCA "cone" IR/RF senders throughout my house. They operate in the 433Mhz band. They also run rings around the DirecTV RF remote as far as penetrating walls, floors, and other obstructions. Since the RCA transmitters are plugged in to 120 volts I suspect they transmit with a lot more power than the DirecTV remote. And the RCA receiver has an external antenna, too.

The INTERNAL RF remote receiving antenna in the HR2x/R22 series DVR leaves a lot to be desired. The R15 series with an external antenna has almost TWICE the range.

Good luck and don't forget to be sure the RF remote has fresh batteries!!