weak signal

[pilroler]

Has anyone ever tried using a bt extender/relay with the Dexcon CGM system for inside the home use?

[licquorice]

I can't find any information on the Dexcom website, but I presume the system uses Bluetooth rather than WiFi and connects directly to your device. Can't imagine it would use WiFi

[Crimliar]

As @licquorice has mentioned this is almost certainly down to Bluetooth and I guess specifically BLE - Bluetooth Low Energy.  You have a body-mounted what I would assume is a dumb-transmitter (ie one way) device, transmitting to another device (phone) you are wearing on your body.  That signal probably has to pass through your body to get to your phone, and some of our phones don't have the best Bluetooth in the world!

In future placing the body-worn device close to where you stash your phone could help, and it might be worthwhile just seeing if the Bluetooth on other phones you have even temporary access to is any better.

*Other routers may offer the ability to work co-operatively or pre-emptively with Bluetooth (so they steer clear of the Bluetooth 2.4GHz signal), but that's grasping at straws and I really don't think would provide any significant improvement.  **I only learn by being proven wrong!

[pilroler]

Wow! Thank you for the quick responses. I wasn't sure what I was joining so my question was a generality. Now I will be more specific. CGM stands for Continuous Glucose Monitor  It consists of a sensor worn on the body with a subdermal probe and a transmitter and a separate receiver. The probe samples body fluids every 5 min.,reads them and transmits the glucose level to the receiver. Levels outside established parameters cause an alert to sound from the receiver so that appropriate action can be taken. My wife and I are in our 80's and our facilities aren't what they once were so I downloaded the Dexcom to my iPhone and in essence it serves as a second receiver so that I can monitor her levels, in case she is distracted or dozing or something. The problem is the 20 ft or less requirement. The signal I assume is bt and all my reading seems to agree. The solutions on line are for audio systems or phones or whole house systems etc. I have read about extender/repeater devices but am not clear about how they actually work. In our home a device could be within 20 ft and in line of sight of the transmitter but that's as far as I can get with my plotting and planning. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated and of value to a lot of diabetics.  The Dexcom system is widely used and the signal loss issue is well known

Many thanks

pilroler

[Crimliar]

While Bluetooth Low Energy works in the same radio band as WiFi, it's a different technology and is designed to sip power.  It's true that Bluetooth extenders/repeaters exist but they're not common, not always easy to set up, and the last time I saw one - not very reliable either.

At this moment I don't have a good solution for you.  The best I can think of is maybe to petition the manufacturer to link accounts, and have alerts shared among accounts - if that's not already done!

[licquorice]

Yes, fully aware of what the device does. As has already been said, the technology used is nothing to do with BT, broadband or internet. Bluetooth is a stand alone short distance wireless system used to connect 2 devices together point to point.

I'm afraid the only solution is for the 2 devices to be in close enough proximity. 

[pilroler]

Darn!!  Whaqt I was afraid of   Thanks for all your input   Pilroler

[licquorice]

It would be pointless using any other technology as the moment you stepped out of the house communication would cease between device and phone.

[pilroler]

House is the only place I need it  When we are out we are together and close enough to maintain  signal Thank you for replying

pilroler

[rbz5416]

https://www.dexcom.com/en-us/faqs/how-do-i-share-my-dexcom-g6-glucose-data-followers