Since the connection is underneath the sensor housing, I had to wedge a small screwdriver underneath it to gently wiggle the antenna plug back into place. It’s also extremely tough to get the antenna reseated in the socket when you remove the case or replace batteries. Ring sent me a new antenna to try, which ultimately gave me the same results: Restarting the device by removing batteries would cause it to reconnect for a time, then it would finally drop offline again. The author’s mailbox housing didn’t allow for an ideal installation, and the mailbox’s distance from the house didn’t help matters. I spoke to Ring about the problem, and at 220 feet, an engineer said, I was probably at the outer limit of the device’s range, particularly given the lack of line-of-sight to the bridge and the construction of my mailbox. The sensor would connect to the bridge for a few minutes-or even a few hours-but invariably it would go offline. A photo of my more real-world antenna configuration is below.Įven with the antenna hanging vertically, I had trouble getting the bridge and the mailbox sensor to communicate reliably. Aesthetically, this doesn’t have nearly the level of sophistication that Ring’s official press photo has, which you can see up top. Ultimately the only way I could get the antenna positioned to connect with any degree of reliability was to let it dangle downward from the box. The problem was immediately apparent: The antenna placement wasn’t good enough, mainly because my mailbox is about 220 feet away from the bridge (and obscured by foliage and trees). When I first set up the device, I did as directed, attaching the antenna paddle to the side of my brick mailbox enclosure. Ring doesn’t just suggest with complete seriousness that you drill a hole in the mailbox in order to make this possible, it even includes a drill bit in the package. In concept, you’re supposed to carefully thread the antenna outside and attach it to the side of the box, keeping all the cables nice and tidy. When the Ring Mailbox Sensor detects your mailbox has been opened or closed, it can send you an alert as well as trigger other Ring devices to get your attention (including having a nearby camera snap a picture). Mailbox Alert System, Mailbox Alert System Suppliers Directory - Find variety Mailbox Alert System Suppliers, Manufacturers, Companies from around the World. It attaches to the sensor via an L-shaped connector that snakes underneath the sensor housing (which also contains three AAA batteries). This monstrosity takes the form of a 17-inch long braided copper wire attached to a large plastic paddle. The large sensor is heavy and bulky, but it’s nothing compared to the antenna you must connect to the device in order for it to work. The Mailbox Sensor hardware is less sexy than I had hoped, in part because it’s semi-ruggedized for outdoor use.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |