Automatic garage doors stop working

Image

Image: Orange County Home Garage Doors

Some San Diego residents came home to the frustration of an improperly functioning garage door opener. Even worse, it startled some residents to find their garage door wide open after being away all day. In some neighborhoods, and at sporadic times, garage doors grew a mind of their own by either not opening or opening at random intervals.

How do we send signals without wires? What are the benefits of these wireless signals? The drawbacks? Why does a garage door opener only open one door and not the next?

Resources:

Garage door openers stop working in Rancho San Diego

YouTube: Hunting RFI - IEEE

Radio Frequency Interference - ARRL

How to Fight RFI with Your Gadgets

Type
Phenomena
Subject
Physics

More Activities & Resources:

San Diegans received cell phone notifications warning of poor air quality in San Diego
Phenomena
Many of the lizards found around San Diego are capable of autotomy
Phenomena
Every year, starting in June, thousands of leopard sharks gather off the coast of La Jolla near
Phenomena

The Fleet Science Center invites you to connect to the power of science through FLEETtv!