X10 Community Forum
🖥️ActiveHome Pro => ActiveHome Pro General => Topic started by: heatvent on November 06, 2007, 12:48:22 AM
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PLease vote and leave comments as necessary.
I voted for wrapping wire around end of the antenna and extending. It works OK. Not sure if there are bigger fans of the F-connector though?
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I did the F connector mod and it was my vote.
The down side is you void the warranty and have to have electronic and mechanical skills to properly do it.
The non invasive 9" wrapped wire could be a better choice for many.
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This is a tough one!
I did the Solder 9"+ wire to end (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=9470.msg67187#msg67187) and it resolved my problem and works great. I HAD to make some sort of modification as I keep the AHP in my basement and it was unusable as a stock item. The mod is quick, easy, FREE, and it works... but it's NOT pretty.
I have often considered re-doing the AHP to an F-connector. However, since it works... that never seems to rise to the top of the to-do list.
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I have 2 CM15As and did the F-Connector (actually a BNC for 50-Ohm cable) mod on the first one and clipped the plastic off the top of the 2nd one's antenna and slipped a metal telescopic antenna (with electrical contact to the original antenna wire) over the plastic antenna.
Both of these mods have worked very well for me; however, since both CM15As and their PC's are on the basement level of my house, my vote goes to the external connector mod.
The attached telescopic antenna was easy and improved the reception considerably, but because of where I have it located, it does not cover all areas of my home.
The antenna for the external connector mod'ed CM15A is located in the attic, and covers 100% of my property.
Having stated my choice and reasons, I would recommend someone trying the easy external antenna attachment first before they open the CM15A and start modifying it from the inside.
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If you wrap a wire around it don't it have to touch something metal?? Sorry to be a dumb a@@ here but mine is covered in rubber/plastic. So do you take the rubber tip off or what??? Glad I found this post cause mine is brand new and not working hardly at all with my 16a motion sensors.
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V572RF32 Period
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No just warp the wire around the plastic antenna a rod. No breaking or soldering needed.
Other mods do require physical changes. If the wrapped wire give you the distance you need then it is the best choice for no warranty voiding.
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Being new with X10 and taking a chance. I did the f connector mod and worked pretty good. The PC is in the basement now and the antenna is in the attic of a two story house.on a 1 acre and a hand held remote will receive commands thought the property. I am using the homemade cross antenna be carefull to measure exactly. 1st try was with a amplified TV antenna and that added to much noise in the line.
Looking back at my newer setup the first thing I would do is map electric and get the electric X10 friendly most import. Solves a ton of problems.
Still got a Lot to learn with this hobby and Thanks to the veterans on this board my system will not end up on E-Bay. Thanks again
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I'm very interested in this. If I could get just a little longer range with my remotes they would work in all areas of my place.
Where can you buy these mods or learn how to do them?
Regards,
Torrey
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You can use the Search Function here to find some of them as I don't have exact message number at hand.
I found the F Connector Mod in the Project's Area of www.accessha.com
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If you do a search on this board you will find them. Some are easier to do than others. Here is the one I used and think this is the one Brain H. is talking about.
Get yo' solderin iron and dremel tool warmed up!
http://www.accessha.com/howto_fconnector_page1.html
Mod for CM15A
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?parentPage=search&pg=3&summary=summary&cp=&productId=2103641&accessories=accessories&kw=antenna&techSpecs=techSpecs¤tTab=summary&custRatings=custRatings&features=features&origkw=antenna&support=support&tab=support
Good antenna for the attic
http://www.radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=pl-259&origkw=PL-259
Coax and "F" cnnector for CM15A
Here is a quick search some of the Antenna Mods on this board. you can also do a advance search to zero in.
http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?action=search2;params=YnJkfCd8MSwyLDMsNCw1LDYsNyw4LDksMTAsMTEsMTIsMTMsMTQsMTUsMTYsMTcsMTgsMTksMjAsMjEsMjIsMjMsMjYsMjgsMjksMzAsMzEsMzIsMzMsMzQsMzUsMzYsMzcsNDEsNDMsNDQsNDUsNDYsNDcsNjgsNjksNzAsNzEsNzIsNzQsNzUsNzYsNzcsNzgsNzksODAsODEsODIsODMsODQsODUsODYsODcsODgsODksOTAsOTEsOTIsOTUsOTYsMTAxLDEwMiwxMDN8InxzaG93X2NvbXBsZXRlfCd8fCJ8c3ViamVjdF9vbmx5fCd8fCJ8c2VhcmNofCd8YW50ZW5uYSBtb2R8Inxzb3J0fCd8cmVsZXZhbmNlfCJ8c29ydF9kaXJ8J3xkZXNj
Happy Reading ;D
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I did the f-connector mod a while back and hooked it up to an amplified tv antenna. That hookup did seem to give me greater range, but I also experience a lot of noise...lights coming on, etc. The other day I took a 12" length of coax, stripped the outer insulation completely off leaving only the inner core wire and insulation. I then stripped off about 1/2" of that insulation from either end and slipped one end into the f-connector and tapped the length of wire vertically up the wall.
I now seem to be getting the same range, but none of the noise. I really don't understand the technicalities of RF, but does this make sense to those who do understand the technology?
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I really don't understand the technicalities of RF, but does this make sense to those who do understand the technology?
Absolutely. The amplified TV antenna was most likely flooding the CM15A's receiver with lots of useless signals that sometimes got interpreted as a false X10 signal.
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So anyone here think x10 should make the AHP with is PRO be PRO grade. Ma-by put a REAL antenna on it and throw us (the old users) a 50. I think at least x10 should make the antenna removeable so us the users can make mods. That's all I have to say. I am DONE!
PS. I still use the foil.
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I have the DS7000 Security Console and am amazed at the range it has. Even more amazing is why the CM15A has such "challenged" range and why X10 doesn't address the problem when considering all of the user complaints!
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I've taken the telescopic antenna mod and made it one step simpler - just cut the straight section off a wire coat hanger and zip tie it to the CM15A's antenna. It works stupidly well.
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For what it's worth - I clipped the bottom section from an ordinary clothes hanger (just happens to be 18"), and wire-tied it full-length to the CM15A's antenna. It's improved, but not enough yet. I'm going to measure the DS7000's and adjust to that length.
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I measured the DS7000 - 12" so I cut the added coat hanger wire so that my CM15A's antenna's total length is 12".
Got the range I was seeking from the keychain remotes - through walls!
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I have performed the F connector Mod on my cm15a. Before the mod I was lucky to get 12~20ft range . I also built a 1/4 wave DIY antenna using an so239 connector and a 9.5" whip and four radials. So far I am less then impressed. Sometimes i think I get it to work real good and then it just goes dead it seems. I have had better luck using an 18" (1/2wave) wire out the new F connector but the range is only slightly better maybe 30ft but still lots of dead spots. I am now thinking of trying the eggbeater DIY antenna posted elsewhere. I have very little faith in the Rf ability of the CM15a and will eventually probably do something different. :-\
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Ok I did and F-Connector mod to my CM19A, and ran coax to one of these home made antennas:
(http://cocoontech.com/images/AntTopBentside.JPG)
(http://cocoontech.com/images/Anthang.JPG)
and I STILL can not get my motion sensors signal to my computer!!!!!! Please help (pulling hair out!!!!!)
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For some reason, I can't see your PIX?
O.k., start with the basics. At what range does your CM15A receive the MS10A's signal?
Is it just MS10A's? Are there any other sensors farther out than the MS10A's?
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For some reason, I can't see your PIX?
O.k., start with the basics. At what range does your CM15A receive the MS10A's signal?
Is it just MS10A's? Are there any other sensors farther out than the MS10A's?
Im using a CM19A, I can get the signals from the Eagle Eyes down stairs on the back side of the house(side teh pc is on upstairs) but I can not get the ones on the front of the house
(http://kbase.x10.com/images/0/09/Cm19a.jpg)
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Exactly what are the sensors mounted on. Metal will stop them in their tracks as their sending antenna is on the back of the case.
How far do you want them to send? They do have a limit to how far they will send.
If there is any obstructions; like walls and floors between the receiver and motion sensor that can also effect how far the send.
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Exactly what are the sensors mounted on. Metal will stop them in their tracks as their sending antenna is on the back of the case.
How far do you want them to send? They do have a limit to how far they will send.
If there is any obstructions; like walls and floors between the receiver and motion sensor that can also effect how far the send.
Signal would need to go through a wall and a floor. Wood, drywall, and vinyl siding.
As far as distance, I would guesstimate its about 40-50 feet. Probably only about 20-30 once I had the antenna hanging in my stairway
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Thanks for the added data.
I am sure users with motion sensors in use can give you their typical distances.
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I am sure users with motion sensors in use can give you their typical distances.
Maybe I am missing something here. But I can't see how the setup could possiably work. The CM19A may allow some limited software switching on his PC.... but it won't effect the cameras. Cameras work on PLC. How is jsnone1 switching (turning OFF and ON) the cameras?
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I am sure users with motion sensors in use can give you their typical distances.
Maybe I am missing something here. But I can't see how the setup could possiably work. The CM19A may allow some limited software switching on his PC.... but it won't effect the cameras. Cameras work on PLC. How is jsnone1 switching (turning OFF and ON) the cameras?
the motion sensor is sending an RF signal to the computer which is interpeted by the Vanguard software, the vanguard software cuts power to the camera currently selected and then powers up the one that is assigned to the motion sensor, then video is recorded or still shots are taken
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..... the vanguard software cuts power to the camera currently selected and then powers up the one
How? How does the software cut power? What device or hardware are you using that causes that to happen? The CM19A only can send/receive RF... camera power supplies use PLC.
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..... the vanguard software cuts power to the camera currently selected and then powers up the one
How? How does the software cut power? What device or hardware are you using that causes that to happen? The CM19A only can send/receive RF... camera power supplies use PLC.
the CM19A sends a RF signal to a transceiver, then the transceiver sends signal to cameras through PLC....that part works fine, prob is between the Motion Sensors and the CM19A
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jsnone1:
maybe you should look into the smart RF repeater. or, for more fun, check out the following links:
http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=12013.0
http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=10982.0
Which come to us courtesy of Dave W.
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....the CM19A sends a RF signal to a transceiver, then the transceiver sends signal to cameras through PLC....that part works fine, prob is between the Motion Sensors and the CM19A
So the the motion sensors can reach the TM751. And your CM19A can reach the TM751. It's just the motion sensors can't reach the CM19A. Since you've already tried the antenna extention.... all you need to do is get the antenna to the same location (or very near) the TM751.
Sometimes just getting the device further away from the computer will help. If you have a USB extention... you might give it a try.
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jsnone1
Why not get a TM751 to experiment with? It will take the RF from the sensors and place it on the power line!
Yes there are better transceivers out there but this is the cheepest to experiment with!
You can place it as close to the sensors as needed (provided there is an outlet there)!
House construction varies so much that even foil backed insulation will stop RF signals from getting to your desired location!
A repeater may not be your best solution (depending on location of your sensors)!
>!
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The latest TM751 units have an improved RF receiver in them in fact it is the same one as in the CM15A. Though with the longer antenna it is very good at distances or at least mine is.