X10 Community Forum
🖥️ActiveHome Pro => ActiveHome Pro General => Help & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: gringler on January 26, 2009, 10:21:19 AM
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Hi All,
I'm looking for your thoughts around the following :
I have AHP (including the OnAlert plug in), with a CM15A, installed in my basement (2000 sq.ft house).
I only have one DS10A sensor in my house (not yet into the security thing yet). I'm planning to use this sensor to check if the garage door is open or closed.
I read in this forum about CM15A range issues... so chances are that my CM15A will not pick the DS10A RF signal because of the distance between my garage and the basement...
I do have an unused TM751 unit... could I use that unit (installing it between the garage and the basement) to pick the DS10A signal and trigger a macro in my basement PC running AHP ?
Thoughts on this (or any other suggestions on how to proceed) ?
Thanks !
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You might try placing a straightened coat hanger wire accross the top of the DS10A. I have had some luck using this "passive" modification to increase the range, assuming you have already modified the antenna of the CM15A. Length doesn't seem to matter.
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I do have an unused TM751 unit... could I use that unit (installing it between the garage and the basement) to pick the DS10A signal and trigger a macro in my basement PC running AHP ?
The TM751 cannot receive security device signals.
As JMac stated, look at some passive options. If all else fails, the WGL Designs V572RF32 works very well.
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......... a CM15A, installed in my basement (2000 sq.ft house).
I have my CM15A installed in my basement office myself. With the inherent range issues of the CM15A that doesn't make things easy. I have done an antenna mod... but sometimes just putting the CM15A on a good extention cord and getting it up close to the basement ceiling can help.
Another solution is to use a powerflash module in the garage so as to put the X10 signal directly on the powerline.
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I am a new X10 ActiveHome Pro user and am I ever glad to have read what felt like ALL of the help and troubleshooting remarks for boosting signal strength of the CM15A and the DS10A sensors. My CM15A is placed on the top of my computer desk, about 5 feet off the floor (or window height) via an extension cord, yet short enough to reach from the CM15 to the USB port of my computer. My Voice Dialer Security Console is centrally placed in the house and readily accepted the front and back door DS10s. My CM15 would only lock onto the front door DS10, not the rear door.
The best and most cost effective solutions are as follows:
- The easiest fix to not affect the warranty is to attach a section of wire to the existing CM15A antenna.
- If warranty is not an issue, modify the CM15 per http://www.shed.com/tutor/CM15mods/CM15mods.html
and if you don't feel the need to make your own antenna, http://www.wgldesigns.com/v572.html (page down to the external antenna package p/n 40020 for $15 dollars.)
Thanks to all for their work in pointing out these sites and helping solve a frustrating issue!! :)%
I am repeating a previous CM15 Antenna/wire fix suggestion:
one 12" length of stiff copper wire (I used 14 gauge house electrical wire (white, to match the antenna color) available at any hardware store.
two 6" or 8" wire ties (clear is more aesthetically appealing) (also available at any hardware store).
Mark wire 9 and 1/4 inch from one end (leaving approx 3" of wire to be wire tied to the existing antenna). Place wire in parallel with the antenna and match the "mark" to stop at the top of the existing antenna. Wire tie (tape is just too plain messy) the 3" stiff wire excess to the existing antenna (this is just enough to "induce" the DS10 signal to a "longer" antenna).
I experienced an immediate boost in sensitivity for a problematic sensor area.
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........... My CM15A is placed on the top of my computer desk, about 5 feet off the floor (or window height) via an extension cord, yet short enough to reach from the CM15 to the USB port of my computer.
.....I experienced an immediate boost in sensitivity for a problematic sensor area.
It is interesting how easily these range issue can be fixed. If you feel it would help to get your CM15A up higher... a simple USB extenion can be used.
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I forget if it was Dave or Puck or who, but someone said to do this and it works wonderfully in extending the range of a CM15a dramatically.
Take some insulated solid wire about 3 feet of it. A solid strand from a cat5 network cable or phone wire should do it.
Just wrap the wire around the antenna makind a nice coil and covering the whole antenna length. There is no need to attach either end to anything. I had about 6' left over from wining so I left it coming off the tip of the antenna flying in the wind.
While you could use stranded wire, it won't hold it's form.
>!
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........... My CM15A is placed on the top of my computer desk, about 5 feet off the floor (or window height) via an extension cord, yet short enough to reach from the CM15 to the USB port of my computer.
.....I experienced an immediate boost in sensitivity for a problematic sensor area.
It is interesting how easily these range issue can be fixed. If you feel it would help to get your CM15A up higher... a simple USB extenion can be used.
Thanks Dave for the "USB extension" suggestion. I wanted my "still not F-connector modified to mess up the warranty or I'd have put the antenna in the attic >*< " CM15/antenna more centralized in the home so I purchased a USB over CAT 5 Active Repeater (CAT-5e part # USBEX200) (http://homeavcables.com/usbex200.html), priced at $22 dollars. It gives me up to 150 feet of separation between the cm15a and computer (I used 100 foot length of CAT 5 cable, left over from my old D-Link ethernet router). My home computer remains in the computer room and I have not had to suffer any of the initial cm15 ranging issues. Keep the suggestions coming.
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...... I purchased a USB over CAT 5 Active Repeater (CAT-5e part # USBEX200) (http://homeavcables.com/usbex200.html), priced at $22 dollars. It gives me up to 150 feet of separation between the cm15a and computer (I used 100 foot length of CAT 5 cable, left over from my old D-Link ethernet router). My home computer remains in the computer room and I have not had to suffer any of the initial cm15 ranging issues. Keep the suggestions coming.
I've been waiting to read where someone has tried that! Thank-you for sharing gojoaquin!
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gojoaquin,
Very cool find! Great price too! :)%
Many potential uses for that toy.
A "helpful" from me! #:)
>!
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Did notice it was USB 1.1 compliant. Just a note for those who are looking to assure they need USB1 and not USB 2.
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;D Here's a link to a 2.0................
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170290850731&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching
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It is interesting how easily these range issue can be fixed.
As I had said before.