Best Practices for Wireless CommunicationUpdated 2 months ago

Wireless (RF) communication is susceptible to interference, distance, walls and metal barriers. We recommend the following best practices for trouble free wireless communication between both sensor packages and the console: 

• Console Placement: Install the console near a window or balcony to improve signal reception. 
• Indoor sensor placement: The sensor will have the longest reach for its signal when mounted or hung vertically. Avoid laying it down on a flat surface. 
• Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI). Keep the console several feet away from computer monitors and TVs. 
• Radio Frequency Interference (RFI). If you have other devices operating on the same frequency band as your indoor and/or outdoor sensors and experience intermittent communication between sensor package and console, try turning off these other devices for troubleshooting purposes. You may need to relocate the transmitters or receivers to avoid the interference and establish reliable communication. The frequencies used by the sensors are one of (depending on your location): 433, 868, or 915 MHz (915 MHz for United States, 868 MHz for European, 433 MHz for other area). 
• Line of Sight Rating. This device is rated at 300 feet line of sight (under ideal circumstances; no interference, barriers or walls), but in most real-world scenarios, including a wall or two, you will be able to go about 100 feet. 
• Metal Barriers. Radio frequency will not pass through metal barriers such as aluminum siding or metal wall framing. If you have such metal barriers and experience communication problems, you must change the placement of sensor package and or console. The following table shows different transmission media and expected signal strength reductions. Each “wall” or obstruction decreases the transmission range by the factor shown below.

 Table: RF Signal Strength reduction