What is the absolutely simplest method of linking two momentary switches with RF?
Is there such a thing (fantasy probably) as a single chip? I’m imagining an eight pin IC with switch connection, power, rf in/out. Or even a matching pair. Ultra simple. A few dollars each?
But it’s 25USD for the pair, and still more complicated than what I’ve described above. I have no training in programming or electronics. I know my way basically around board components, soldering irons, and general repair.
I need a range of about 100ft through obstructions. I found a wireless control for outdoor lights made by Intermatic at Menards yesterday for 9.95USD. Keyfob remote activates a waterproof pigtailed outlet good to 15amps. Without getting into a debate on predatory pricing and slave labor in China, why can’t I just get a couple of chips from DigiKey to do this on my benchtop for much less than it (obviously) costs to manufacture this entire product?
I can hack this apart and shoehorn it into my project, but it makes me sad that I have to do such an end run around what ought to have a more elegant solution. I don’t need joystick control or even multi link capability. Simply one switch activation. I can supply the op-amp and relay at the rcvr end.
Multiple pairs would not be a problem for this prototype. It is only an experiment to see if the basic design is useful. Later designs would address that possiblility.
I went to the tutorial on that pair and found the following to be unintelligible for my level of skill…
…you set up your baud-rate…
…pin two is the data input from the microcontroller of your choice…
…I’ve provided two different sets of transmitter and receiver code for the microcontrollers you may be using in your project…Pic Basic Pro…Arduino environment…
Is the “microcontroller” (i hope) in my case my momentary push button switch? I also have no acquaintance whatsoever with Pic Basic or the Arduino environment.
I hope it’s possible for me to overcome such ignorance in order to use these products. I find myself in the position of wanting to accomplish something that I know to be eminently workable, but lacking the very basic skills to accomplish it without actually enrolling in a skill center tech course or resorting to the major cost of hiring a consultant to implement it.
Since the pair can be used to transmit the “state” of the pin at high frequency, 2400 bps (bits per second), it can be used for more advanced data communication between devices that need to communicate serially. In your case it is a pushbutton.
This project is realtively simple and we encourage you to jump in and get your hands dirty.
A simple RF link may be suitable, such as RB-Spa-56. Whatever is input on the TX end is output on the RX end. One possible problem may be when operating multiple pairs simultaneously, since they operate on the same frequency they would interfere. RB-Spa-56 operates at 315Mhz. However, we have other similar modules operating at 433Mhz, RB-Ons-01 and RB-Ons-02.
