A portable remote activation device having an exceptionally long battery life. The activation device is composed of a receiver unit (10) and a transmitter unit (12) which are normally connected in tandem. The receiver unit includes a receiver (28), a battery source (30) for powering the receiver, and a switch (32) for activating the receiver by the battery. The receiver unit also includes a transmitter unit housing (38) which is shaped to accommodate the transmitter unit (12) and, with the transmitter unit so-accommodated, actuate the switch (32) to disconnect battery power from the receiver. Only when the transmitter unit (12) is removed from the receiver unit (10) is the switch closed to connect the battery to the receiver, enabling the receiver to receive signals from the transmitter unit.