Duplicating a radio remote for awesome practical joke

[Talofa]

Hi guys,

Apologies in advance if this is not the right forum. It's just really hard to find a place where I can ask this question. If there's a better forum that you know of - please let me know and I will ask it there.

I'm playing a practical joke on my buddy who has a remote controlled golf buggy. You can see its manual here: http://goo.gl/QJ42Z

I'm wondering how I can firstly find what radio bands the remote is running on, and then if I can duplicate the remote? I'm not sure if it has security built in to the remote and main unit, as you have to pair the remote before use.

This remote duplicator could help: Duplicator

Any help would be awesome!! He's such a annoyance with his buggy - runs it in to me all the time to aggravate me. I have to work this out!!

 

[CocaCola]

Purchase a replacement remote for the buggy from the manufacture and simply follow the directions to pair it when he is not looking, the manual doesn't specify if it can be paired to multiple remotes though so it might disable his remote when you pair yours and that is not all bad either

As far as duplicating if you get the replacement remote and crack it open or read the FCC (or equivalent) label you will have a better grasp of the signal you will need to intercept aka what frequency... If it's a static unencrypted code it should be easy enough to clone, but if it uses some rolling encrypted code it's going to be next to impossible to clone...

 

[Talofa]

Thanks so much - that's great info! I'll be able to check the FCC (or equivalent) info on the buggy or remote.

I'm thinking it may not be possible, because of the pairing issue. Like you say - I could pair a second remote, but the idea is to think he is always in control, and just randomly run it in to a bunker (or water) every now and then. He's a computer tech guy, and there's nothing worse than a problem that only occurs intermittently

That device claims to learn part of a rolling code remote, but as you say - I doubt it would work. I don't know much about rolling codes, but after reading a little on them in the last few minutes - their security seems very good.

 

[CocaCola]

You can always build/buy a little jammer and jam that frequency in the immediate area... Unregulated unlicensed transmitters like jammers are not legal in most areas and this is something that this forum won't support you in making but it's not hard to find cheap commercial ones (as well as highly and stupidly marked up models) from Asia for a few bucks or plans to make your own...

 

[Talofa]

That sounds like the perfect fallback plan! I'm very grateful for your help - I'll go and research this. Thanks again