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path of the signal. Each obstruction (roof, walls, floors, ceilings, thick trees, etc.) will effectively cut signal
range in half.
Example
: A wireless weather station receiver with a 330 feet range is mounted on an interior wall, so
that the signal has to pass through one interior wall, one exterior wall, and across the 10-foot width of the
room between the 2 walls. The first wall will reduce the range to 165 feet, and the second wall will reduce
the range to 87 feet. Factoring in the 10-foot room, this leaves a maximum of 77 feet of remaining signal
range.
This allowance is typically enough for a frame wall with non-metallic siding; however certain materials can
reduce range even further. Metal siding, stucco, and some types of glass can reduce signal range by as
much as ¾ or more, compared to the ½ reduction typical of most obstructions. It is possible to receive a
signal through these materials,
however maximum range will be much less due to their tendency to
absorb or reflect a much larger portion of the sensor’s signal
.
