I’ve found it helps to hold my key with both hands.
I can imagine you may also try to raise your hands to get less ground interference, at which point it would not be inappropriate to invoke the power of Greyskull.
Why does holding a key fob to your head increase its range?
51–60 of 161 posts
Re: Why does holding a key fob to your head increase its range?
#52Because I saw this headline, I tried to hold my key fob to my head today to lock my car, but it didn't work and I had to walk closer. So, there's one data point for you. Maybe I'm doing it wrong
I’ve been using this trick for many years. Things like when in a car park and trying to confirm I’ve locked my car at some distance, this has worked. It’s been pretty reliable for me.
One more anecdote, this has not consistently worked for me. Raising the height of the receiver may have an effect but I'm not sure.
Re: Why does holding a key fob to your head increase its range?
#53This effect 100% works, I’ve tried it many times over 20 years with many different cars.
It is best if you hold the flat side of the remote up against your chin.
Re: Why does holding a key fob to your head increase its range?
#54Because I saw this headline, I tried to hold my key fob to my head today to lock my car, but it didn't work and I had to walk closer. So, there's one data point for you. Maybe I'm doing it wrong
Maybe the one case where "you're holding it wrong" is valid advice.
Re: Why does holding a key fob to your head increase its range?
#55Sixty symbols (same author as Numberphile) video on this from 9 yeas ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Uqf71muwWc
Re: Why does holding a key fob to your head increase its range?
#56I always thought it was because my skull acted as an antenna :P
Re: Why does holding a key fob to your head increase its range?
#57Earlier quoted context omitted.
Why would the duration or frequency of the burst matter if RF is harmless?
RF is harmless below the point where it directly heats tissue. Having a full strength cell tower transmitter inside your home is not safe due to the intensity of the transmission, it will directly heat tissue inside your body.
>RF is harmless below the point where it directly heats tissue.
Would it heat tissue anymore than the Sun (in warm places) or your heater or air-conditioner set to heat already does 10x stronger?
Re: Why does holding a key fob to your head increase its range?
#58Sixty Symbols did a video on this almost a decade ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Uqf71muwWc
Re: Why does holding a key fob to your head increase its range?
#59A more likely theory is that the fob transmitter (and antenna) is tuned to put out max signal when near the body. This is it's normal use. If however you tested it with the fob somewhat isolated it would then be out of tune. eg in the factory it would be tuned at a set distance from a "dummy body". It's the same with a walkie-talkie radio. The antenna must be tuned when held in the hand, as your body provides the mis…
You might be right about this, it makes sense. So standing on your tippytoes with the remote-arm stretched out to try and get better range is actually counter productive. Take 2 steps closer, and hold the remote close to your body.
Re: Why does holding a key fob to your head increase its range?
#60Fascinated by this, going to dig deep.