how to make remote more reliable

[Cory C. <cc...@gm...>]

I'm using a URC MX-980 remote connected to commandIR via cable.  I'm
using version lirc 0.9.0.

The remote is intermittently missing IR commands on key presses.  If I
watch with irw I can see sometimes when I press a key nothing displays
on irw.  If I hold the button, still nothing.  However, the next key
press may work fine.  I'd say there is about a 20% error rate which is
enough to be annoying.

How do I tweak my setup to be more reliable?

Here is the top part of the remote config:

begin remote
  name  mx980
  bits           16
  flags SPACE_ENC|CONST_LENGTH
  eps            30
  aeps          100
  header       8977  4433
  one           606  1636
  zero          606   501
  ptrail        606
  repeat       8976  2190
  pre_data_bits   16
  pre_data       0xA10C
  gap          108320
  toggle_bit_mask 0x0