Yeah it works, as your head acts as a big signal antenna/amplifier.

 

Through my slightly unscientific testing I've discovered that it's actually not important if the key actually comes in contact with your chin... Your body doesn't seemed to be what's improving the signal... It seems to just be the different angle the key is being held.

I've discovered that I get the same range with the key held vertical whether it was in contact with my chin or not. Just holding the key vertical when pressing the button significantly increases the range as opposed to holding it horizontal....

 

Thats due to the metal part of the key being an antenna. The way an antenna works is you point it up, and it radiates outward. Aiming the key at the car actually worsens your reception. Maybe I'll get bored and pull out the antenna book and quote the full reason. Just know that the antenna pointing straight up will always work better than the antenna pointed at the car!

 

right right, glad I'm not the only one thinks that's pretty kewl!

The folks who posted recently that their windows/roofs were opening for no reason could have used a "Convenience CLOSING" option that works from that far away! Disclaimer - I am in No Way making light of your situation if your MINI got soaked/filled with snow due to this. I'm TRYING to make it happen with mine, and I can't (yet).

By the way, I still stand by my statement in that thread: "haunted MINI's! Bah!"

RF transmitters are great, but rolling codes with bazillions of possible combinations, that blows my mind,

Tatt

 

If we could "hear" the MINI's radio frequency devices, it might sound like this?

Key (to car, as UNLOCK is pressed): Hey man, we gotta TALK.

Car (happy like a puppy about to be walked): Yeah, we do!

Key (in tone reserved for mundane tasks): I'm YOUR key, let me in please.

Car (now trying to play it coy, not entirely succeeding): OK.

Key (same routine tone): Thank you that was very nice. Now may I start you?

Car (knows it's going for a motor - pleased about that): Yes indeedy! Let's GO!

Heck that is downright Melodrama, compared to the banter between the pistons and cylinders .

Tatt

 

that's a feature, keep it held down and it will open all the way.

 

I put in an aftermarket alarm in awhile back that has a separate FOB....the range on that is about 4 ft tops.....today though, I tried the chin trick and it definitely increased the range to way across a parking lot, about 30 yards....I tried a bunch of times with the FOB at my chin, and at arms length holding th FOB up, down, pointing it up, sideways, etc.....the only time it worked furhter than 4 ft away is when I held it to my chin....no question in my mind, the "chin trick" works