Physics question about remote controls from car talk
 

So I was driving around in Wyoming a couple of weeks ago and was reduced to listening to car talk on NPR, which is actually a pretty good show. Anyway, some guy calls in and says that he can increase the range of his keyless entry remote by touching it to his chin when pressing the button. I briefly experimented with this myself and it appears to be true. Can anyone explain why? The instinctual answer seems to be that you body somehow acts as an antenna, but that doesn't really make sense because you're body is already touching the remote anyway.

Re: Physics question about remote controls from car talk
 

Maybe the chin steadies it, whereas it's wiggling too much (just slightly, but more than you notice) while extended in one hand?

Re: Physics question about remote controls from car talk
 

My first guess is that your body reflects some of the radio waves. (I assume you are facing toward the car when you tried this?)

You could, if you desired, experiment further with known radio-reflective materials, and see how much you can increase the range. If you REALLY want long range you can attach a reflective "umbrella" to your keychain, and open it up into the classic satellite-dish shape, to aim at your target...

Re: Physics question about remote controls from car talk
 

They make radio towers tall for a reason.

Re: Physics question about remote controls from car talk
 

This definitely works. AFAIK, you're basically using the roof of your mouth as a satellite dish to focus and bounce the signal in a specific direction, giving it greater range.

Re: Physics question about remote controls from car talk
 

I have an old care with a mechanical key, so I can't try it. It seems to me that there are two possible reasons this works. One is the reflection mode that several posters have suggested. The other is that by making electrical contact with the key, your body is acting as a transmitting antenna and amplifying the radio signal.

Re: Physics question about remote controls from car talk
 

Same reason a radio or broadcast TV gets clearer if you grab the antenna.

Re: Physics question about remote controls from car talk
 

and the reason for that is...?

Re: Physics question about remote controls from car talk
 

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Same reason a radio or broadcast TV gets clearer if you grab the antenna.

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are you saying you guys arent grabbing the fob when you press the button?

Re: Physics question about remote controls from car talk
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Same reason a radio or broadcast TV gets clearer if you grab the antenna.

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are you saying you guys arent grabbing the fob when you press the button?

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My thought exactly, which I mentioned in my OP