Outstanding. That was it. I started playing around with the hand remote and noticed a difference between the entries being logged by me using the hand remote and the entries I was trying to log in from the command line in linux. As soon as I saw that I read your post and it confirmed that I was sending the wrong commands. Your example worked.
So in seeing this now, I am still not understanding how I can keep the NC function going, i.e. a power outage, without me having to log in and call the terminal session to keep it running? I'd like to be able to cron the script to make sure my kids lights are just sent an off signal every day at 8 a.m. after they have gone to school so I know they are not leaving the lights on.
Still researching but this info has been very helpful. Thanks.
Julez