Noob Questions about keyless entry JDM BD-5

[SOREN]

I just picked up my 1994 Legacy RS on the weekend. The key was fat and had a button on it, I assumed it was an LED light (as that's what it looks like is attached to the fat, plastic key), but I've been fiddling with it, and it most certainly is a keyless entry.
I've never had keyless entry, so forgive me for a case of the stupids, but I've got some questions.

I can lock and unlock the car from inside, almost always, using this button, but rarely from the outside, unless I'm right at the driver's door - and how useful is that?
What is the range on these type of systems typically, or even better, if you've got a BD5 with this, what have you found?
Does the range increase with fresh battery?
What do you point it at? Or What should I be looking for on my car in terms of a sensor?
Can I get other keyless remotes for this? Does it have to be Subaru Legacy Specific? How are they programmed?

Sorry for the dumb questions, I've just never had it before, and it's kinda neat, if I could get it to work properly...and yes, I did search, but don't know exactly what I'm looking for - mostly came up with descriptions of rides here, or sales threads..

[jey]

Every keyless entry system I have ever seen is radio frequency, so you do not have to aim it, and it does sound like you need a fresh battery.

[SOREN]

Every keyless entry system I have ever seen is radio frequency, so you do not have to aim it, and it does sound like you need a fresh battery.

This one (actually these ones, I just discovered a Key Fob from my WRX from Japan too, that I also thought was just a light... duh) has a little bulb looking transmitter on it - but.. I'll try a fresh battery and see!

Thanks!

[SOREN]

been a week with a fresh battery, and it's still pretty weak. I basically need to be at the door glass before it'll work, and it takes a bit of aiming, but I guess it's better than nothing!

[Yamazaki]

If you can wait, I can check the factory service manuals when I get back. I know the Subaru Vivio of those years had a direct (I assume infrared) transmitter and the receiver box was on the ceiling next to the reading lights up front. I have no idea if that's the case with your car.

[BilsteinRX]

Yes the keyless in the BD5 is infra-red, my AUDM BD5 is the same, a fresh battery and while your at it cleaning the transmitter (it gets a bit dusty and cruddy) helps but even so mine is still pretty crap. i can get it to trigger from about 6ft away from the car.
it may be more but as the lights dont flash i have to rely on hearing it lock and unlock.
I find i need to "shoot from the hip" with an upward angle from the side of the car, and sometimes from the rear window to get it to unlock.

most people just get a aftermarket alarm installed and then they tie in the RF keyless fob to the existing wiring and be done with it.