Quote: - I get space/pulse streams without having to press a remote button!
That would suggest a remote fault..... stuck button perhaps ? or if an old remote then deteriorated contacts... you could try manipulating all the buttons multiple times in the hope of freeing them up then try
sudo systemctl stop lircd
mode2 -d /dev/lirc0
until space/pulse streams work only when a button is pressed.....
A quick physical check is to use a smartphone camera and point it at the business end of the remote then press a button on the remote...a purple flash or intermittent purple dot means it's working.
other things to investigate are possibly I/R sources other than the chosen remote (eg sunlight) ? Or find another remote to try....as I've mentioned, not every remote works with Lirc....most do but some are problematic.
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bob
bob