How it works...

Car remote controls, usually known as remote keyless systems in the industry, work by sending an encoded signal on a particular radio frequency. This signal is then interpreted by a receiver inside the car. Their typical range in Europe and North America is usually around 20m.
By pointing the fob at your head, the cranial cavity acts as a natural amplifier, which boosts the range of the radio signal by about one third.

Comments

[bleachworthy]

you know, this would work, if you were to tip your head back about 20 more degrees, and cover the top half of your skull with tin foil. seriously, it works, try it.

[sam noyoun]

I sense some sarcasm... This is not a prank; it does work -or at least it does work for my car.

[frikkie]

it does work
 

[bleachworthy]

heh, it may seem like sarcasm, but it's true. the tin foil (or brass mesh if you've got it) will reflect the radio waves. and by tilting your head back more, it aims the signal. :D have fun, try it out, but beware, your neighbos WILL think you've gone looney, so hide the foil under a hat or something.

[Weissensteinburg]

It's just using a parabola. It would work just as well with out the foil being on your head.

[bleachworthy]

yeah, true, but we want to stick to the method of "using your head" (as ironic as it is)

[WareShoals]

Hey Dude! That remote transmits a radio signal and you're pointing it at your head. I think I'd rather kill my brain cells with beer. You do realize a microwave uses radio signals (waves) to cook food, and yes they are at higher frequency but even walkie talkies tell you to point them away from yourself when you transmit. Oh well, good luck with that brain tumor!

[grimgroper]

 do you put your mobile phone to your head when you answer it?

[WareShoals]

Nope.  Use speaker... next question?

[thefoodman]

does this work with remote control cars

[fractionalphysicist]

What is actually happening is that you are aligning the antenna in the key fob such it is closer to parallel with your car's antenna.

[sam noyoun]

experience shows that it is not the case: the range will be boosted to matter the orientation of the electronic key fob.

[James (pseudo-geek)]

this is basically using your skull as a parabolic reflector. very brilliant. but be sure your putting it under your jaw where theres no bone or you'll just block it.

[yiucycle]

yeah, i use this method for couple year already and my remote battery is really low. i can be right next to the car and it doesn't chirp but if i do this method, it works every time.

[Sidney Floyd]

found this out a few years ago :/ you dont have to hold it under your chin...

[sam noyoun]

yea, as I wrote in the instructable, you don't have to open your mouth either: this is only for effect...

[Patrick Pending]

I don't care if this works or not, I'm giving you a plus+ for the picture of you pointing your open mouth at the car.

[sam noyoun]

yea, as I wrote in the instructable, this is only for effect... But it DOES work (though, it would seem, not with all fobs).

[ac1D]

i tough u mean a remote control car!

[rocketbat]

so did i!

[mrmath]

I tried this, and it didn't work for me. I kept hitting the button, with the rmote away from my face, as I walked towards my car. When the car reacted, I took one step back, and tried the remote again, the normal way. No reaction from the car. One step forward, hit the button, the car reacted. I had found the limit. One step back, hit the button, no reaction. Touch the remote to my lower jaw, as in the picture, open my mouth, hit the button, no reaction. Nothing.

2002 Dodge Caravan. Could just be my remote. Who knows.

[sam noyoun]

Well, you certainly followed the correct procedures... For the record my car is quite old: it's a 1996 VW golf, and maybe this doesn't work with newer fobs, I don't know. I can't understand why though, as I assumed all remote controls emitted on a radio frequency...

[mrmath]

I'm guessing that it had to do with the surface area of the fob as it touched my chin :) Actually, if the cranial cavity acts as an amplifying chamber, it could just be that my cranial cavity is too small.

[tipsychimp]

this has been an instructable already dude

[TABRadi0]

I already knew about this, it increases the range on my remote by 50ft. great instructable, too bad most of the people leaving comments on it aren't even old enough to have a learner's permit.

[Weissensteinburg]

I am! *is proud* But I went out and tried it...it didn't extend my range.

[kruser495]

hey you changed it to a car instead of a remote control car. before you were holding the intenna of a radio controlled car to your head. you did that cause your getting negative comments.

[Andrew546]

I've never really had problems with range, mine will work from much farther than across the street. But here's an idea on some fun top have with the increased range - when you see someone walking through a large parking lot, clicking their remote to try and find their car, click your remote too so that your car beeps. Laugh when they become utterly bewildered when a large truck is beeping when they own a small car (or whatever the combination happens to be). I did this before at the mall, its hilarious.

[Tool Using Animal]

Just don't use this to increase the range of your 9mm. ;-) Haven't tried it, really,if I'm going to my car, what do I care what the range is? Oh and my car doesn't have an alarm or fob.

[kruser495]

first of all, your brain doesnt have anything to do with increasing the distances. its because your body conducts electricty. have you ever walked close to a radio or stero on a channel that you dont get good reception on. it is because you are amplifing the signal. not your brain.so it wont matter where you point it and i dont think it will work.

[crapflinger]

....yeah...but you look like a tool when you do that hahah (not you specifically...but anyone pointing the remote at their head hehe).... none the less...i will be trying it out

[!Andrew_Modder!]

no way!!?

[Weissensteinburg]

didn't work ='[