I just bought a 15-1994 to operate my Jerrold Cable box, hoping to alleviate the nonsense of having to use the original cable remote 1-1.5 feet away in order to change channels/etc. However having used the 15-1994, I am running into the same problem, I can't control the cable from farther that the 1 -2 feet.

I've heard about the IR/RF extender... are these the solutions? Would I have to buy a lot of components to handle this.

thanks

My 15-1994 works my tv, receiver, dvd, etc, from well over 15-ft away, and even when bounced off the wall on the opposite side of the room. Sounds to me that the problem is in your cable box, not with the handheld remotes. One obvious thing you've probably already done is make sure the window over the IR receiver is clean. Maybe you should take your cable box for a little drive and do a swap out at the cable office.