Hi, I have minimal knowledge of electric circuits so I'm not capable of designing my plan. So, I am looking to pay someone(either via money order or Paypal). As far as price I'm open to bids from capable people. Depending on what you could design and possibly even build, I would pay up to $250.

Now, on to what I would like someone to be able to do. To me it doesn't seem overly complex, but I'm far from being able to talk.

I want to build a small device about the size of an alarm clock that has 5 lights on it and a button. Pressing the button emits a radio frequency in the range of about a mile for 60 sec then stops. A seperate unit could detect this signal and would light up 1 of its 5 lights. Each light would be for a different unit(and diff frequency). So there could be a total of 5 units all within a mile of each other that would be able to "communicate" by lighting up each other's lights.

Please post or email any questions. I am completely open to ideas and suggestions. But mainly offers and bids by someone certain they can accomplish this. Thanks for your interest. yukz71@yahoo.com

Suggest they all run on the same frequency and send different codes.
Modular radio devices can be bought, and all that's needed is a bit of PIC work.

How big of a deal is it to 'register' or 'purchase' a frequency. I suppose you would have to deal with the FCC? In the mean time I would be pleased with just having the device be able to broadcast a shorter distance with the possibility of upgrade to a better frequency later.

you monitor frequencies that other people are using, then you use a different frequency. i havent licensed any of my radio equipment, including WAY high power cb units.

You can buy 2 way radios that transmit over a mile that do not need a license in the US. Why would you need for this?

You're probably thinking of the FRS walkie talkies? Sure they can do a mile under some conditions. However, though unlicensed, the band is approved for person-to-person voice transmission. It is surely illegal to use for digital data or any automated transmission.

Ok, this isn't going anywhere. I think my range requirements are the problem. At a shorter range could someone design a device that would do this? Basically I need a pager system, like at restaurants maybe. Could anyone design or build that? I can work on extended range later. Thanks for all the input so far.

Originally Posted by yukz71

I want to build a small device about the size of an alarm clock that has 5 lights on it and a button. Pressing the button emits a radio frequency in the range of about a mile for 60 sec then stops. A seperate unit could detect this signal and would light up 1 of its 5 lights. Each light would be for a different unit(and diff frequency). So there could be a total of 5 units all within a mile of each other that would be able to "communicate" by lighting up each other's lights.

Sound like wireless bomb project... :roll:

ymmy: Give me a break, wireless bomb? If I wanted to do that I could use a remote control car setup or something. Next time try not to make someone out to look like a terrorist.

I believe there are license-free frequencies available, but they are limited in power to limit the effective range. It could be 100 ft or several 100 ft depending on the obstacles.

Obviously this is necessary when giving out unlicensed freq, or a single company would make a transmitter which would block out anyone else's products within a mile, then the next mfg would start selling something twice as powerful to overpower the first guy's device, and pointless power wars begin and nobody can count on their product being reliable.

If the short range will meet your specs, you can do it. But don't count on getting extended range later, it is probably not possible.