Wireless Switch Using Transmitters and Receivers

Using Arduino Project Guidance
1

Hello all,
I am fairly new to Arduino so please excuse me if some of my questions seem "stupid".

I was wondering if there was a way to use a set of RF transmitters and receivers (433mhz) to wirelessly control a relay on another Arduino board, to turn a light on and off when I press a button on a separate board. Essentially making a wireless switch that I can control from another room (I am trying to avoid infrared sensors).

I have two Arduino boards so could I set up one board with the transmitter and a switch and the other board with a receiver and a relay so once I press the first switch it sends a signal to the other board wirelessly, energizing the relay and completing the circuit and as a result, turning on the light.

If not, would I need a different part?
Also, does it matter if one board is an Arduino Duemilanove and the other an Arduino UNO R3?

Any help or incite is greatly appreciated!

2

Yes, with the Virtualwire library, it is possible to do just that.
Do you have the RF modules? If you don't the cheapest modules are these, 433MHz RF transmiter/receiver

Once you do have them, start with turning a LED on and off, then move to the relay.

3

Hi, yes that sounds achieveable, and no, it doesn't matter if the two Arduinos are different types.

Paul

4

Thanks, and HazardsMind, I have that exact hardware so I shouldn't have a problem.

5

Note that it's possible to buy radio controlled relays and they are likely to be cheaper than an Arduino based solution, as well as nicer to use.

There's nothing wrong with making your own if you want to for the fun of it or as a learning experience, but it's probably not the most practical solution if the end product is all you want.

6

Indeed: these cheap keyfobs can be used independently or hacked to work on either end with an Arduino. NEW PRODUCTS! Keyfob RF Remote Control and simple RF Receivers « Adafruit Industries – Makers, hackers, artists, designers and engineers!