X10 Community Forum
🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: Duck69 on May 21, 2006, 04:03:58 PM
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I'm in the process of setting up my X10 system and will be using the CMA15A.
From what I've read, the CM15A's range is limited.
Is it possible to replace the attached antenna with say a TV, or Stereo dipole antenna ?
I realize that doing something like this would void the warranty. But if it works; WHO CARES ? ;) ;D
Any ideas, suggestions or better yet "How To" would be very much appreciated.
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www.accessha.com In the projects area.
I have done one myself.
Some who don't want to mess inside the wrap added wire around the plastic sleeve and extend it.
If interested can point you to the cm15a schematics on the FCC Web Site.
Note newer cm15as have the receiver antenna hot glued to the case in a large 'U' shape. Original ones like mine had the extra wire balled up in a knot. Yes the factory antenna is longer then the plastic tube it isn't completely stretched out in the tube. Someone else actually added a longer plastic tube and extended the original.
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Otis69 : here is the link to part Two Adding an External Antenna (http://www.accessx10.com/howto_fconnector_page1.html)
Building your own antenna will get you the best results as you need the proper wave length for best results. you can purchase antenna of the proper size as I've seen links but can't remember them off hand think there may be some in the thread.
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oops :-[ Not really the second part but there are links of interest as well as this one
How to Make a One-Quarter Wave Ground Plane Antenna
(http://www.cocoontech.com/index.php?showtopic=126)
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Otis69
Regarding the antenna construction, I took the easy way out also.
My solution was a 9 foot length of coax with F connector at one end and I stripped away 18 inches outer jacket and shield on the other end.
I poked a hole in the ceiling of the closet where I hide the CM15A and shoved the 18 inches of foam covered center conductor up into the attic. The 18 inches of unshielded center conductor forms a 1/2 wave lenght omni directional antenna. Works great! I can get + 50 feet outside the house.
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I see you have been given the links to a few antenna construction projects. I used one from a WGL All House Code Transceiver for my tests. I have also made a local one with a piece of #22 Buss Wire in a 1/8" plastic model tube with a F connector on one end and a blob of sealer on the top. Used a 90 degree F adapter to keep it vertical next to the cm15a.
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I will do the mod of the CM15A since I already have one.
For those of you who do not want to build your own antenna you can purchase an antenna kit (antenna & mounting bracket) from WGL and associates.
Web site & e-mail : http://www.wgldesigns.com wgl@wgldesigns.com You can't order just the antenna kit from here.
You can write to:
WGL & Associates
5418 Lancashire
San Antonio, TX 78230
or
Call: (210)342-2858
The cost is $8 plus $5 S&H
Just ordered mine 5 minutes ago.
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Thanks for that information. It should assist many here.