Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

F - Connector Mod

10 (45.5%)

Solder 9"+ wire to end

2 (9.1%)

Wrap wire on end and extend 9"

7 (31.8%)

Put telescoping attena over white antenna

3 (13.6%)

Total Members Voted: 19

[heatvent]

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?

[Brian H]

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.

[HA Dave]

This is a tough one!

I did the Solder 9"+ wire to end  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.

[Puck]

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.

[cj4]

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.

[spam4us]

V572RF32      Period

[Brian H]

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.

[* Cor *]

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

[tbates]

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

[Brian H]

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

[* Cor *]

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 

[Geewiz]

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?

[Puck]

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.

[zach1234]

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.

[Geewiz]

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!