Do You (?Still?) Use The CM11A As Your PRIMARY Home Controller?!?

[FixItPete]

Whew...  I'm so glad to see that I'm not the only CM11A user left!  I purchased the ActiveHome kit years ago when it first came out (and when talking about COM ports made me feel young, not old!).  I had abandoned my X10 projects a few years later, and nearly forgot about them entirely...  until my sister recently moved into a place with a light-switch arrangement that didn't fit her lamp-centric decorating style.  I remembered the old shoebox full of parts, and dug a few out.

I'll be setting her up sometime next week with some new lamp modules (that soft-start is a nice improvement), wireless transciever, and slim switch (also a nice looking improvement over the old "lumpy" wireless wall switches).

I figured while I had the parts out, though, I'd install ActiveHome on my PC and see if the CM11A still worked.  Sure enough, it did.  I even installed a few lamp modules in my living room, complete with macros and timers.

I know that at some point, I had the universal remote with X10 RF transmitter and a collection of motion sensors, but those may have been tossed years ago.  Still, it's nice to have the old system running again.  Ah, the memories!

Now, I need to look into some of the open-source software alternatives since this ActiveHome interface really was a clunker, huh?

Anyway, it was nice to find this site, and to see that this old ActiveHome forum still has users.

Sounds like me!  I was out of the X10 game for about 20 years!!!!  I had gotten a CM11A with ActiveHome and NEVER used it.

Now I went to use it, finally and I'm having trouble with getting it to work on my XP Pro machine (I have it working on an old 98 machine) -- but that's another thread.

Anyway.  Yes.  While I haven't fiddled with it much (yet) I like it.

Pete

[Dan Lawrence]

The biggest problem with the CM11A under XP (all flavors) is motherboard problems.  It's really hit or miss, but some (not all) motherboards will cause COM ports to appear and disappear at random so AH can't find it and then find it.  That may be why the XP Pro machine is giving you  fits, but the Win98 box is fine.

[FixItPete]

Once I changed the "properties" to run it as 98 it found the port in one second.

[bitman]

NO - I've Upgraded To The CM15A And I'm Happy With It

But only after modding the antenna.

[wl]

Me too !!! Glad to see others still using the cm11a

[HA Dave]

Me too !!! Glad to see others still using the cm11a

This thread was started on: September 07, 2006, 12:55:02 AM.

There isn't anything wrong with the CM11A. I have read about many of these X10 products functioning for decades. Many Linux users wouldn't have a Home Automation interface if it wasn't for the CM11A.

But the CM15A (the new replacement for the 11)... has been around for several years now. I have seen the interface offered with the complete software suite... for $39.99. There has never been a better time to upgrade. 

[Brian H]

You saw the AHP CM15A for $39.99 and it had all the plug ins?
Last time I saw that price it was just the interface and AHP no plug ins.

[Dan Lawrence]

I just checked the X10 site and the prices there are $49.99 for AHP and the CM15A and $99.99 for the "ultimate" system that does not include  the plug-ins.

[Brian H]

Yes Dan. I have not see the $39.99 deal in awhile. Though there are so many different combinations depending on which tab you pick on the sales site. Who knows? 

[HA Dave]

You saw the AHP CM15A for $39.99 and it had all the plug ins?  Last time I saw that price it was just the interface and AHP no plug ins.

Maybe your right... I can't find the link. But thought for sure I had. I bought my back-up CM15A from the scratch N dent sales for only $29.99.

[Brian H]

Look what I just found.
No plugins. Just the CM15A and AHP software.
http://www.x10.com/promotions/cm15a_ed_alltimelow.html

With Plugins and a Appliance Module thrown in.
http://www.x10.com/promotions/cm15a_am466_large_home.html

[dave w]

See? See?! I told you guys that Brian is an absolute information ferret! Why, the man can find anything!   

[Madness]

Just came across this forum. I got mine as part of an IBM Home Director starter kit (modeled: HD11A), which I found NIB, @ the Goodwill, over 10 years ago. Presently still running (just replaced the batteries, in fact) w/ Activehome 1.42. Never misses a beat!

[Brian H]

There are still some new CM11As; made in 09/2010 on EBay . If anyone is needing a replacement or needs one for software that does not support the newer CM15A.

[HA Dave]

WOW……. This thread was started shortly after midnight... on: September 07, 2006

I still have my (hardly used) CM11A.... as I quickly moved to the CM15A when it was introduced. I still use a CM15A as an interface (X10 signal receiver/generator) with my Homeseer Hometroller. Which also integrates with Amazon Alexa and several other flavors/brand of WiFi controlled devices.