Controlling radio sockets with Arduino and 433 MHz

Summary

For an Easter tinkering project, I first used 433 MHz modules to receive the signals of a radio socket remote control and then sent them myself from an Arduino to switch the sockets. The project used an Arduino and 433 MHz radio modules. The switching codes came from the received signals of the original remote control.

Ideas

• The receiver makes the radio telegrams of an existing remote control visible.
• Recorded switching codes can be reproduced on purpose with a transmitter module.
• An Arduino combines protocol analysis, storage and later automation.
• Simple radio sockets allow home automation without touching mains electronics.

Insights

• Watching a working remote control often replaces missing protocol documentation.
• Unencrypted radio commands make DIY integration easy and also show their security limits.
• Receiving before sending reduces failed attempts and keeps the known working encoding.

Facts

• The goal was to control switchable radio sockets.
• The setup was built over the Easter weekend of 2016.

Recommendations

• Record each telegram several times and compare the received bit sequences.
• Test transmit codes first with a single socket you can easily see.
• Keep in mind that simple 433 MHz systems often have no authentication at all.

References

• Photo of the Easter project on X
• Documentation of simple 433 MHz transmitter and receiver modules

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