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[bruiser]

just another quick question. I see that this was asked some time back by a fellow Ozzie http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=10401.0 but there is no clear answer. I can find hacks to convert x10 gear to Aus 240V but I'm talking about battery operated remotes and wall switches and sensors. Does anyone have any ideas? Cheers

Bruiser

[Brian H]

I doubt it. That much of a frequency change would need new parts used to determine the frequency and then a way to tune it with the new components.
Besides the fact that the countries regulators would need proof of compliance with the rules in place.

[gil shultz]

Good Evening,

The battery operated remotes could be modified to operate at a difference frequency and the receiver(s) as well.  Modifying the receivers is no problem but the remotes are classified as transmitters by the FCC (in the US) and are type accepted.  You need the appropriate FCC license to make those changes as well as the ability to check and validate the new frequencies and get approval from the FCC. 

In other countries some are much more stringent then the US, some are a bit easier and others just use our regulations.  I am not familiar with yours so you would have to check this out.

Other then that not to hard to do.

Good Luck
Gil Shultz

[bruiser]

i figure i can't be breaking any rules if all i want to do is convert some remotes to transmit at the standard frequency used in oz which is 433. I'm probably breaking rules using the remotes at 310! 

[Brian H]

The mods probably could be done. That said does you country require rules acceptance?
X10 did provide some models schematics in their FCC files and I have downloaded some of them for refference.

[gil shultz]

Good Evening,

The FCC rules are very encompassing to say the least. All, I repeat ALL RF (Radio Frequency) emissions (currently 9 kHz and up) come under their jurisdiction.  Even the lowly PC has to meet FCC requirements, A or B depending on usage.  All of these remotes fall under part 15 and have been approved by the FCC before sales in the US.  Knowingly changing the RF characteristics one of these devices can bring hefty fines etc.  The odds of getting caught are very low but you never know?

Before modifying one of these you might visit the following web sites, there is a lot of info on FCC part 15.

http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/Documents/cfr/1998/47cfr15.pdf
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/part15.html#Technical
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/part15.html#Technical
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/rules/
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_01/47cfr15_01.html
http://www.cclab.com/p15cer.htm
http://www.cclab.com/fcc-part-15.htm
http://www.lwca.org/sitepage/part15/whatisit.htm

I have to much effort and money in my FCC licenses to mess around and knowingly violate any of the rules.

Have Fun
Gil Shultz

[Puck]

Even the lowly PC has to meet FCC requirements, A or B depending on usage. 

Lowly PC 

This is probably the largest unintentional radiator of EMI available on the consumer market.

[dave w]

This thread has travelled around the maypole a couple of times. Here is my 2 cents.
Bruiser, in the long run (assuming your time is worth something) it would probably be easier to just buy new 240V 433mHz X10 goodies and sell or toss your US stuff.

Everyone is cautioning about modding the transmitter due to US FCC type acceptance and thus legal ramifications. However if you live out in the bush, you may not give a rip about any of that.

One thing that was only briefly mentioned, and you do need to consider is; changing the module to work on 240V is ONLY component changing and is a fairly simple task. Changing the 310 mHz receivers and transmitters to work at 433mHz will also be component changing (and you will need to find componets similar in size because radio frequency and long leads on components do not mix), however once you have made the component changes the modified transmitters and receivers will need to be re-aligned (re-tuned)  to their new frequencies. You will need specialized test equipment to do this. If you do not have the equipment or understand what is needed, you will need to talk to a 2-way radio shop, or a TV repair shop, or a ham radio operator to get the retuning. In other words you will probably be out more money. I don't know if you Aussies have an expression for it, but you may have bought "a pig in a poke".

Good luck

[gil shultz]

Good Evening,

So what is wrong with there origional frequency?  I am not familiar with your laws but if they are legel they should work.

Good Luck
Gil Shultz

[dave w]

First part of the thread got hijacked somewhere along the way. Bruiser had bought a boat load of US standard X10 stuff. He was looking for ways of hacking the US stuff to work in Australia.  Converting the modules to work on 240V is easy, converting the modules to work at 433MHz isn't. Which by Bruisers silence on the matter, he has probably figured out.

[bruiser]

Hey all yes i have been a little silent...more busy than anything

I have to say it is difficult to change the freq but not impossible...also i can't seem to find much about the Australian FCC laws etc...plus i live in the country so i don't think it matters too much.

Anyhoo just wnated to let you know that i managed to get a cm19e working with a mr26a. The mr26a picks up x10 signals from the American remotes and switches at 433Mhz and the cm19e resends the x10 signals at the 310Mhz...too easy saved me quite a few dollars indeed...but there was a bit of messing around with the software needed to do this... a mix of homeseer and girder...

thanx for your input

[Charles Sullivan]

Hey all yes i have been a little silent...more busy than anything

I have to say it is difficult to change the freq but not impossible...also i can't seem to find much about the Australian FCC laws etc...plus i live in the country so i don't think it matters too much.

Anyhoo just wnated to let you know that i managed to get a cm19e working with a mr26a. The mr26a picks up x10 signals from the American remotes and switches at 433Mhz and the cm19e resends the x10 signals at the 310Mhz...too easy saved me quite a few dollars indeed...but there was a bit of messing around with the software needed to do this... a mix of homeseer and girder...

thanx for your input

Don't you really mean this the other way around, i.e., the MR26A receives at 310 MHz and the CM19E transmits at 433 MHz ?

[dave w]

Hey all yes i have been a little silent...more busy than anything

Anyhoo just wnated to let you know that i managed to get a cm19e working with a mr26a. The mr26a picks up x10 signals from the American remotes and switches at 433Mhz and the cm19e resends the x10 signals at the 310Mhz...too easy saved me quite a few dollars indeed...but there was a bit of messing around with the software needed to do this... a mix of homeseer and girder...

thanx for your input

Put some shrimps on the barby, we'll be over to celebrate.

[gil shultz]

One of the previous posts asked why change the frequency, that is a good quesion and should be ansered.  The 310 MHz will work just about anywhere even down under (OlE). 

Have a good one'
Gil