Key Wireless Signal Boost & Keyless Entry

This may seem strange, but if I hold the key next to (very close) to my face cheek when I push the 'unlock' button, it increases the distance quite a bit - odd but true. Also, seems to help it go through glass or walls if I'm inside.

Leo Newland

 

I haven't verified this with my California, however I can significantly increase the key range for my BMW 545i by sticking the key in my mouth (just the metal part on my tongue) and pressing the unlock button. Found this tip on the BMW forum many years ago, and it still works today. I'll have to try this with my Cali-30...

 

When I wear my tin foil hat the range increase is dramatic, and it helps with the 'voices' at the same time...

 

This is a well-known issue. European frequency allocation for car fobs is different from the US frequency. Most manufacturers consider this a localization issue and change the length of the antenna to compensate. Ferrari doesn't.

When I had an F430 and later a 360, one could get to the antenna wire and move it to increase the range.

I do not know where the antenna wire is in the California, unfortunately (cf. my thread on the dearth of DIY articles about the California...)

Tom

 

quotes like this make it worth reading in the mornings better than any comedy thanks

 

Actually, the remote for my Cali30 is even worse... only works when I'm at about 5 meters from my car.

However, the suggestions from a couple of people who posted about placing the remote key against some part of your head when you puch the button may have to do with what the NY Times reported in this 2009 article

Remote Car Key

Suppose your remote car door opener does not have the range to reach your car across the parking lot. Hold the metal key part of your key fob against your chin, then push the unlock button. The trick turns your head into an antenna, says Tim Pozar, a Silicon Valley radio engineer.

Mr. Pozar explains, “You are capacitively coupling the fob to your head. With all the fluids in your head it ends up being a nice conductor. Not a great one, but it works.” Using your head can extend the key’s wireless range by a few car lengths. "​

You can check all the hits by Googling "Tim Pozar increase range of remote car by placing key to head". Here's another even more detailed reference to it on Yahoo from this September.

It was my sister in Germany who told me about this a couple of years ago. I didn't believe it so it was only many months later that I decided to give it a try. I'm still not entirely convinced but to my surprise it does seem to work for me about 50% of the time.

 

As suggested, putting the remote up to your head (as seen on the original Top Gear), for some reason seems to help with remote distance. Don't know what it does to the brain cells, but can't be any worse then a cell phone. Of course, we will all look like a bunch of crazy people, but if anyone asks, tell them it is like a secret handshake for Ferrari owners. And now that they know, they will need to be eliminated.

 

i do this all the time.
but now i seem to have developed a crink in my neck!
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Perfect!

 

In addition to the chiropractor for your 'crink,' I might also suggest a drive-by at the dermatologist and dentist.....