I want my Arduino Uno to be able to send a single signal to another Arduino Uno at about 100-150ft apart. I don't really have a lot of experience with this, so what are some cheap options that will give me a reliable connection at that range?
I have looked at the XBee radios, but having to buy 2 radios. 2 shields, and other components needed to make it work ends up being pretty costly for wanting to do something so simple.
Cheap bluetooth options do not seem to handle the range I need.
I have been researching for a few hours now and can't seem to find any cheaper options, could anyone recommend any solutions under $70?
I want my Arduino Uno to be able to send a single signal to another Arduino Uno at about 100-150ft
Radios send data, not signals.
I have looked at the XBee radios, but having to buy 2 radios. 2 shields, and other components needed to make it work ends up being pretty costly for wanting to do something so simple.
You know the slogan "Fast, cheap, easy; pick 2"? The XBees are probably overkill for your situation, but you have left a lot out. Range is one thing. But, is that line of sight or are there things in the way? Electrical interference issues?
There are people that say good things about the NRF radios. There are probably just as many that say not nice things about them.
The 315/433 MHz radios do not have the range you need, nor does bluetooth. How far can a keyboard realistically be from the computer?
You can get high power nRF24l01+ modules that have external antennas. I don't know what they cost. I have only used the low power versions which cost about £2 each. AFAIK the high power version has a much greater range than you require. It may even be that the low power versions would be sufficient - but I have not tried them beyond about 15m.
Imagine a hand railing 100ft long on a flat surface with the two arduinos on each end. The railing has open space on both sides, not mounted on a wall. The railing would realistically be the only thing in the way. Assume no electrical interference.
I'm not really looking for "cheap" necessarily, but as you mentioned that the XBees are kind of overkill for what I need, so I am wondering if there are simpler devices (presumably that would cost less) to accomplish what I need.
so I am wondering if there are simpler devices (presumably that would cost less) to accomplish what I need.
There are other devices that cost less. They are by no means simpler. Nothing is simpler than a pair of XBees. That is what you are paying for, of course.
trudawg0830:
Cheap bluetooth options do not seem to handle the range I need.
You are probably alluding to Bluetooth-2, the HC-05 and the like. Bluetooth-4 is good for about 60m and therefore may suffice. The price is much the same these days - $5. I don't know anything about Xbees, but I understand they are used in multiples, whereas you are only using a pair, and I really can't see how Xbees can be simpler than bluetooth.
I use a pair of CC1101 433MHz radios over about 120m (with trees etc as obstacles) fairly successfully. I've purchased the version that has an external antenna port and am using it at one end (the receiver is inside a tin shed so needed to pick up the signal outside).
They are running pretty much at their limit range wise though with the included stub antennas.
You can get high power nRF24l01+ modules that have external antennas. I don't know what they cost.
I did buy those, 2.10$/pc with free shipping from China (so takes some time, 15-34days).
They are named "1100-meter long-distance NRF24L01+PA+LNA wireless modules (with antenna)":
I did first long distance test 5 weeks ago (be aware, different to low power versions these modules do not work if too close together), 500m did not work, but 153m was success which is 500ft: http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=397732.0
From my experience the RFM69 module is a great option with a very reasonable price! Sub-GHz frequencies are a great choice and will normally offer better range/performance than majority of 2.4GHz - talking about proper modules, not those $0.30 433Mhz boards from eBay.
Just be a aware that RFM69 does not like 5V, so if you want save some time bread-boarding it, might be easier to get a ready to use Arduino + RFM69 board:
