The Most Effective Way to Increase Bluetooth Range!

by Mjtrinihobby in Circuits > Electronics

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The Most Effective Way to Increase Bluetooth Range!

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Don't we all hate that lame 30foot limit for low power Bluetooth transceivers? I know I do especially for my recently installed Viper Bluetooth Smart Start module in my car.
https://www.instructables.com/id/StartStop-LockUnlock-my-car-from-my-phone/

I love the app and module but the limited range was a deal breaker. Here is how I increased the range of that BT module. This technique will apply to ANY BT device! Read on if you dare!

Get a 2.4GHz Wifi Antenna!

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Get the highest gain 2.4GHz Wifi antenna you can afford and it's connector coax cable. I used a spare 9bDi antenna. Carefully strip the coax jacket and separate the shield wire from the centre lead. Cut 1mm of insulation from the centre lead.

Removing the OEM Antenna and Attaching the Wifi 2.4Ghz Antenna Coax.

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The OEM antenna came off easily with the soldering iron. The coax shield goes to 0V, which is the metal can over the PCB. The centre lead was soldered to the vacant BT antenna track.

Putting the Viper BT Module Back Into the Car and Testing.

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The Viper BT was reassembled into its case and secured back into its bracket. The wifi antenna I secured with sticky squares and cable ties to the driver side pillar.

The OEM range was 40ft line of sight was NO physical obstructions. With solid objects the range was 20ft best case.

With the nifty Wifi Antenna propagating the BT radio frequency energy out into the atmosphere, my range WITH solid obstacles (i.e. my home, fence wall and neighbour's home) is 100ft! I haven't tested it in clear line of sight but I'm more than happy! Not bad for a 45minute job eh?

Try this upgrade for yourself! You wont be disappointed!