# Increased operating range-keyless entry **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [December 22, 2007, 5:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/increased-operating-range-keyless-entry/8571 "2007-12-22T05:28:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![2000JIMMY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/3e96dc/32.png) [@2000JIMMY](https://community.cartalk.com/u/2000JIMMY)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2007, 5:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/increased-operating-range-keyless-entry/8571/1 "2007-12-22T05:28:18Z")
If you are just out of range for your keyless remote to operate, place the fob to your throat and it will work. No kidding. When I first heard of this I thought it was a joke. Try it before you start laughing at me. I have proven it to many friends. I don’t know why, but it does work. ---
**Author:** ![Craig58](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3da27b/32.png) [@Craig58](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Craig58)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2007, 5:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/increased-operating-range-keyless-entry/8571/2 "2007-12-22T05:39:50Z")
There was a lengthy thread on this a while ago. I think your scull is basically acting as an antenna dish, although there were some other “interesting” theories discussed. ---
**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/51bf81/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2007, 6:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/increased-operating-range-keyless-entry/8571/3 "2007-12-22T06:23:13Z")
The higher the fob is raised, the better it works. From the second floor, mine would work at 100 feet away. From the ground, thirty. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2007, 10:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/increased-operating-range-keyless-entry/8571/4 "2007-12-22T22:13:09Z")
It’s probably because there are fewer obstacles in the way near your head than at your waist. ---
**Author:** ![Roadrunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@Roadrunner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Roadrunner)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 3:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/increased-operating-range-keyless-entry/8571/5 "2007-12-23T03:46:55Z")
Do you have to stick your tongue out at the vehicle at the same time? ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 3:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/increased-operating-range-keyless-entry/8571/6 "2007-12-23T15:24:33Z")
It works for the same reason that touching a rabbitears set top TV antenna makes the picture come in better. Your body is a pretty good antenna. ---
**Author:** ![MrPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecccb3/32.png) [@MrPhil](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MrPhil)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 11:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/increased-operating-range-keyless-entry/8571/7 "2007-12-23T23:14:28Z")
RF fobs (the majority of them) are DESIGNED to be held up, and not “pointed” towards the car like a TV remote! You, your skull, or your throat have nothing to do with it. The fob’s antenna (usually just a trace on the circuit board), produces strong signal “lobes” at right angles to the circuit board/antenna. Pointing the fob at the car puts the weakest signal towards the car (the strong lobes are now vertical). Holding the fob “up” (90 degrees from the car) points a strong signal lobe towards the car, for maximum range. Your body has no effect on it. IR fobs (there are a few of them) need, like a TV remote, to be pointed at the receiver on the car. ---
**Author:** ![2000JIMMY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/3e96dc/32.png) [@2000JIMMY](https://community.cartalk.com/u/2000JIMMY)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2007, 11:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/increased-operating-range-keyless-entry/8571/8 "2007-12-26T23:40:20Z")
I did find the previously posted thread on this subject. Sorry I didn’t search before I posted. That link is very interesting. Brings some good “theory” to light. I don’t know which I believe to be correct. It does seem like the body parts involved have something to to with it. I have tried holding the fob over my head and twisting it in all directions. This does not seem to increase range like the “throat position” does. Thanks.