Get alerted when real mail arrives!
Hue MailBox Motion Sensor
This little DIY project let’s you know when “real” mail has been delivered to your mailbox. Handy if your mailbox sits at the end of your driveway. By using a Philips Hue Motion Sensor (1st generation) it is possible to add an external antenna to extend the range while the motion sensor sits inside the (steel) mailbox. The motion sensor works on two batteries that last for year(s), which makes it a really nice solution.
This setup managed to reach an impressive 50m range from the nearest Hue Zigbee point (an outdoor motion sensor – clear line of sight and elevated). The detection is so sensitive, that any small object like a postcard triggers the sensor. The antenna used in this example was a passive DVB-T antenna with magnetic mount, mounted upside down below the mailbox (handy in case of snow).
The first generation motion sensors have a small antenna socket on the circuit board, a RF Coaxial IPX Mini MS156 connector. You can order a matching cable from AliExpress. I used a 5cm length cable which is just a tiny bit too long if you exit from the top of the motion sensor, when you route the cable to the side of the motion sensor it might just be right. It is a bit difficult to click the cable onto the socket, but once it snaps on it is fine.
Tip: Checkout the free Hue Doctor App for macOS to analyse your Hue bridge: Hue Doctor
Below some photos:
