AIRcable offers up 28-mile Bluetooth range extender

There's nothing quite like watching one manufacturer attempt to outdo another, only to watch them both fall short unsuspectingly when a third wheel steps in and ups the ante. While ZigBee and One-Net certainly have their applications, AIRcable is hoping to conquer their respective territories while adding an additional dash of wireless connectivity. Designed for "wireless sensor interface, mesh networking and data logging applications with an RS-232 port interface," the Industrial XR sports autonomous, programmable operation, a rugged outdoor enclosure, a Li-ion cell with solar panel recharger, real-time clock / temperature sensor, and a Bluetooth transmitter capable of broadcasting signals "150 meters" with the built-in 3dBi antenna. The real fun happens, however, when you strap in an (optional) 24dBi parabolic rod, which extends the range of this simplistic looking box to a whopping "28 miles." The company also notes that a cluster of units can be networked together to convey Bluetooth data logging information across a bevy of channels, all securely and automatically. So if you've got bigger jobs on the docket than simple in-home automation hookups, or just want to handle things from the next town over, you can pick up the Industrial XR now for $299.

[Andir3.0 @ Nov 22nd 2006 11:11AM]

Hey, I guess that means I truly can play my PS3 from the bathroom! [since my house is the size of Texas] (oh come on, you know you were thinking it ... damn anti-Sony boys)

[Chase M. @ Nov 22nd 2006 11:20AM]

this would be cool if i could leave my cell phone at home, and use this range extender so i could just bring my bluetooth headset with me!

[Mithras @ Nov 22nd 2006 11:28AM]

The tricky bit is having someone at home to constantly re-point the parabolic antenna, I guess.

[strider_mt2k @ Nov 22nd 2006 11:30AM]

Okay I'll be the geek.

I love stuff like this!
You could use it for a data link to a mobile robotic platform or a ROV!

I built an RC-controlled wheeled ROV a few years back that I should pull out of mothballs and re-work to use BT or WiFi.

Really cool potential there and for other applications as well!

[steve @ Nov 22nd 2006 11:48AM]

hmmm, I wonder what the FCC has to say about this.....

[cheekky @ Nov 22nd 2006 12:02PM]

hmmmm.... really really really long range bluejacking....

[David @ Nov 22nd 2006 12:07PM]

Could one use this for bluejacking? If so I'd be VERY interested.

[Vince @ Nov 22nd 2006 12:05PM]

Or you could use the Bluetooth GPS, hide the gPS recevier and track a certain someones vehicle from your treo assuming they stay within 28 miles...

[Sam @ Nov 22nd 2006 3:33PM]

I could go running around the neighborhood and leave my mp3 player (and phone) at home :)

OK, I could go driving around the city and leave it at home...

[Gadget Extremist @ Mar 4th 2007 12:24AM]

In theroy you could start your own bluetooth based local radio station that would broadcast to all those Bluetooth Motorola Earpieces that people are wearing these days.