1 Message
Extending Range
Are there any tricks or techniques you could use to extend the coverage range ?
With home-working now an imperative, many people are installing garden offices, and this is where they have their work PC's, technology, and which really needs protection. Unfortunately, I just can't get my Simplisafe system to extend to my garden office literally 40 feet from my home. For that reason, I cannot recommend it.
As most people would have wifi in their garden office, it would seem a relatively simple option to buy a second controller which could link to the main controller over wifi - snd be a nice little revenue earner for Simplisafe. As this isn't an option currently, does anyone have any tricks or techniques I can use to extend my range ?
Thanks
James
With home-working now an imperative, many people are installing garden offices, and this is where they have their work PC's, technology, and which really needs protection. Unfortunately, I just can't get my Simplisafe system to extend to my garden office literally 40 feet from my home. For that reason, I cannot recommend it.
As most people would have wifi in their garden office, it would seem a relatively simple option to buy a second controller which could link to the main controller over wifi - snd be a nice little revenue earner for Simplisafe. As this isn't an option currently, does anyone have any tricks or techniques I can use to extend my range ?
Thanks
James
Official Response
davey_d
Community Admin
•
4.8K Messages
3 years ago
Hi!
The sensors do have a range of about 800ft in open air, so they might be able to reach a lot further than you're thinking. Usually, if you're covering an outbuilding, we would suggest that to move your Base Station to the same side of the house as that other building.
The main thing to be aware of is that physical interference does have a major impact on the signal. So if your house has brick or concrete walls, or if your garden office is built out of a metal shed, that can be the limiting factor.
(edited)
0
0
whoaru99
1.3K Messages
3 years ago
0
0
chad01
3 Messages
3 years ago
0
0
captain11
Captain
•
5.4K Messages
3 years ago
Here is one link to get you started. Good luck.
https://www.instructables.com/Boosting-Signal-Range-of-SimpliSafe-DoorWindow-Sen/
10
0
bclonchii
1 Message
1 year ago
I have recently purchased a water sensor for my water heater. I live in a ranch type home and my base station is on the main floor in the middle of the house. My water sensor is under my water heater which is in the basement and the sensor is therefore on the concrete floor. The actual distance can't be more than 30-35ft but it's through several walls (all drywall) and two 3/4" hardwood floors (1 1/2" - don't ask). I keep getting the "sensor not responding" message. I guess I'll try the wire idea mentioned above to try and extend the range of the sensor. Thanks for the suggestion!
1
0
matthewbhudson
2 Messages
11 months ago
Thanks for this I've just soldered a wire to the antenna and the door sensor is now working at range.
(edited)
0
0
Jim
39 Messages
11 months ago
You actually want the antenna wire to be exactly 1/4 wavelength long. The frequency used is exactly 433.92 MHz.
0
WilsonFlyer
2 Messages
11 months ago
You are exactly right, Jim. For best results and without getting into all of the technical variations and options, one meter will produce the most optimal results from my research. I have been thinking about slightly over powering mine also as another option to boost signal strength as mine seems prone to time of year also (humidity, temp. foliage, etc.), but I haven't gone down that rabbit hole. Yet. LOL
0
0
matthewbhudson
2 Messages
11 months ago
I'll shorten mine then, thanks!
0
0
Jim
39 Messages
11 months ago
You want exactly 6.80 inches in length, including the length of the internal wire is you are leaving that in place and connecting to the far end of that wire.
0
0
Streaky
16 Messages
10 months ago
There's a big difference (relatively speaking) between one metre (39.3701") and 6.8" (0.17272 metre).
0
0
samd256
1 Message
8 months ago
The wavelength over air of a 433MHz is approximately 69 cm (27.2"), so an antennae of that size (which is slightly less than a meter) should give the best gain. 1/2 or 1/4 lengths should also provide a significant improvement however. The 6.8" (17.3cm) number given is 1/4 length antennae.
0
0
thrang
4 Messages
7 months ago
Enough Already! Simplisafe - release a plug in repeater with 24-hour battery backup - like Ring! Come on already! I cannot locate the base station where all devices are in range. This is stupid... 800 feet "open air" range is a useless metric. People walls, metal ductwork, stone, granite, solid poured concrete foundations, etc. You need to develop a solution now for the realities many homes, or forget, I am gone, and I'm sure many others have left or are considering.
And your latest firmware update WIPED OUT my continuation. EVERY DEVICE was removed. As ridiculous that is on its own, what if I were on vacation and the update just "happened"? (I didn't initiate the update)
The reliability is Simplisafe is well below the threshold one must maintain for a SECURITY system.
(edited)
0
0
dougemmett
1 Message
2 months ago
This is a great hack!
New generation door sensor 200’ away from base station up on a hill placed in an outdoor 3rd-party housing.
20 minutes of work.
basic knowledge of soldering needed
16 gauge electrical wire
dremel tool to poke a small hole in housing.
Thank you!!!
0
0