@Richie C. posted:1. Just curious as to whether there are devices on the market like repeaters or boosters that will amplify or boost the BT signal and effectively extend its range.
2. Also, will having a wi-fi signal present in the same area create interference with the BT signal ?
Richie,
1.) You're likely to have the same problem with a repeater. (Follow me with this one; my analysis is odd). When in the process of moving around the layout, if you get too far away from it you'll lose your connection with it, hence your connection to the locomotive through it. The problem is movement. The repeater would have to follow you around the room, or follow the train around the layout, always keeping a point midway between you and the loco in order to get maximum range.
Now, you could use a repeater whose output signal is much larger than the one put out by your remote, but Bluetooth isn't meant to work this way. Most often the problem is fixed by improving the sensitivity of the receiver, which in this case as @gunrunnerjohn has pointed out, is inside a die-cast locomotive shell shielding its transmission.
2.) WiFi and Bluetooth are used simultaneously very, very, very frequently with most smartphones. Not a problem, or we would be hearing of billions of people (literally) complaining about it.
Mike
