433MHz RF module range

Hi all
I'm aware that there are already past threads that have asked similar questions but many seem to have conflicting replies.
I have purchased a pair of 433MHz transmitter/receiver rf modules (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/433mhz-RF-Transmitter-and-Receiver-pair-wireless-arduino-hobby-ASK-OOK-UK-L4A302-/161292991774?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item258dcfbd1e).

Using the VirtualWire library today I got them working, but was disappointed to find their range was no more than a foot. The transmitter and receiver have 17cm aerials on, and I have set the baud rate to 2000.
I was using the transmitter at 5v.
My goal is to make a small rc car with these modules, so a range of 10m would be good - is this achievable?
Thanks in advance :slight_smile:

The range is 20cm to 50meters, I say about 15 meters is the normal range.

Transmitter at 5V : okay.
17 cm antenna : okay.
baudrate 2000 : okay.
VirtualWire or RadioHead : okay.

When you have antennas and only a foot range, something is very wrong. Perhaps the receiver is broken or mistuned. The coil to tune the 433MHz is the green plastic with red lacquer on top.
Even with wrong length antennas, you should get a few meters.

You can keep on using those transmitters, they use a SAW oscillator. That is very basic, but works well.
For myself, I only use receivers with a crystal, to be sure they are always tuned to 433MHz.
Search on Ebay for : (rxb6,3400rf,ZTFRX1,QAM-RX3,QAM-RX2)
That will show a few.

Thanks a lot.
I spent a while attempting to tune the receiver, though it proved fruitless.

So I buy this (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/QUASAR-QAM-RX2-RF-MODULE-RECEIVER-AM-SUPER-REGEN-/171329947851?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item27e40f88cb) that should solve it? How would I hook up that module to the arduino?

That might solve it, assuming that the receiver is broken and the transmitter is good.
Perhaps you can also buy a transmitter, to be sure.

How to connect it ? http://lmgtfy.com/?q=QAM-RX2+datasheet
The sensitivity of that receiver is -105dBm, that is medium sensitivity for a good module. Some are -108dBm or better.

It was the receiver in the end, I got a new one and it works great now.
Thanks very much for your help.