Will My Pendant Alarm Reach the Garden? How to Check Coverage
Pendant alarm range tells you how far a home button can communicate with its base unit. It does not guarantee the same coverage through every wall, across every garden or inside a shed.
What does line of sight mean?
A line-of-sight figure describes favourable conditions with a clear path between the wearable device and the base unit. It is a maximum specification, rather than a map showing where your alarm will work at home.
In everyday use, the signal may need to pass through external walls, internal partitions, doors or other obstacles. The position of the base unit and the construction of the property can change the practical result. Two houses with similar-sized gardens may have different coverage.
Three links need to work
| Part of the connection | What to check |
|---|---|
| Wearable button to base unit | The button must be paired, working and within effective wireless range. |
| Base unit to monitoring | The configured broadband or mobile connection must be available. |
| Communication after activation | Check how the operator speaks with the user and what happens if speech is unclear. |
A button reaching the base unit is only one part of that route. Read our power-cut guide for the separate issue of backup power and connection availability.
5 steps to test pendant alarm range at home
Follow the supplied setup and testing instructions. Arrange the test at a safe time and tell monitoring that you are checking coverage. Do not simulate a fall or move into an unsafe place to test a detector.
- List the places that matter. Include bedrooms, the bathroom, the kitchen and the garden areas used regularly.
- Start with a normal test. Confirm the alarm is set up correctly before checking more distant areas.
- Test the intended locations. Wear the button as instructed and follow the provider’s test procedure.
- Confirm the result. Check that the activation was received rather than assuming a light or sound proves the complete call worked.
- Discuss weak spots. If a test fails or the result is unclear, contact TASK Connect before relying on that location.
For instance, someone may use a patio close to the house and a potting shed beyond a solid outside wall. Test both if both are part of their routine. A successful patio test does not establish coverage inside the shed.
Can base-unit placement improve pendant alarm range?
Ask for advice before moving it. A new position must still provide the required power and broadband or mobile connection. It should also suit two-way speech and the installation instructions.
After an agreed move, repeat relevant tests. Changing the base position to help the garden may also affect coverage elsewhere in the home. Avoid making a decision based only on the distance to one outdoor spot.
Does a SIM card give the pendant unlimited range?
No. In a GSM home alarm, the SIM is in the base unit. The wearable button still communicates with that unit. Taking the pendant to the shops does not make it an independent mobile alarm.
If you want support beyond the tested home coverage, compare a portable GPS personal alarm. Portable equipment has its own connection and charging needs. Mobile coverage and the available location information can vary, particularly indoors.
Does the garden need different equipment from the home?
Not necessarily. A home alarm may cover the areas you use once properly installed and tested. The decision should follow the test and your routine, rather than the garden’s size alone.
If you also walk a dog, visit neighbours or go further from home, those activities are a separate consideration. Our watch versus pendant guide helps explain the difference between a home button worn on the wrist and a portable GPS watch.
When should pendant alarm range be checked again?
Follow the provider’s regular testing guidance and ask about retesting after changing the base-unit position, moving home or changing your phone or broadband service. Tell us if your routine expands to a new room or outdoor area.
For independent advice on selecting equipment and support, see the NHS guide to personal alarms and telecare.