CM11A as transciever

[huntco]

Question about the CM11A.  I've already got the CM15A (ActiveHome Pro) up and running.  Unfortunately, there are some places in the house from which RF signals (HawkEye, Palm Pad Remote, etc.) can't seem to reach the CM15A.  I've fixed this with TM751 and RR50?'s and it works fine.  The problem is this - those only recognize one house code at a time.  I've happened across a couple of CM11A's, and I was wondering - can I essentially use those as a "multi house code" transceiver?  I don't care about programming them, I just want to be able to plug one thing in and transceive ALL 16 house codes, rather than having to plug in several TM751's to accomplish the same thing.

[steven r]

The CM11A, if my memory serves me correctly, doesn't have a transceiver in it at all. As you've discovered, you might need additional transceivers to bridge the signal gap of the CM15A. It is important to not have the same HC set on more than one transceiver including the CM15A. Otherwise you can signal overlap problems.

[Charles Sullivan]

For an all housecode transceiver with excellent range, take a look at  WGL's V572 (which you can purchase with a required interface from Smarthome).

WGL may have since revised the firmware, but I've found the V572 I bought a while ago to suffer from the following bugs, which may or may not concern you:
1. Erratic transceiving of Dims and Brights - the number of Dim or Bright steps transmitted over the power line can vary by a factor of 2 or 3 either way for successive transmissions of the identical RF signal.  (This is not too much of a problem with handheld remotes since you have visual feedback from the lamp and can correct if necessary.)
2. The V572 does not correctly transceive RF signals transmitted by older X-10 wireless switches and remotes - those which use a codewheel and slider to set the unit range - if the unit range is set as 5-8 or 13-16.  (It works OK on 1-4 and 9-12.)
3. The V572 does not ignore "entertainment" signals sent by some X10 RF universal remotes like the UR81A "Entertainment Anywhere" remote.  It transceives these signals as an On or Off signal on a particular housecode, although not in any one-to-one way that could be useful.  So you have to forego use of that housecode.

[Brian H]

CM11A has no Receiver in it so it is not a transceiver
WGLs all house code receiver has been used by many with good results. Also some have used a second CM15A with no downloaded data in it just all house codes enabled.
http://www.wgldesigns.com/v572.html

[TakeTheActive]

CM11A has no Receiver in it so it is not a transceiver

Well, yes it is - you need to specify 'TYPE' of:

• CM11A - PLC Transceiver, Computer w/Memory
  .
• CM15A - PLC Transceiver, RF Transceiver*, Computer w/Memory
  .
• RR501 - PLC Transceiver, RF Receiver
  .
• TM751 - PLC Transmitter, RF Receiver
  .
• PalmPad / Credit Card Controller / Battery-Powered Motion Detectors - RF Transmitter
  .
• Mini-Controller / Maxi-Controller / Mini-Timer - PLC Transmitter

Transceiver = Transmitter *AND* Receiver

*UPDATED: Yep! The CM15A does indeed have an RF Transmitter! (along with it's RF Receiver)...

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

CM15A - PLC Transceiver, RF Receiver (not sure about RF Transmitter - why would it?), Computer w/Memory

Yes, it transmits, that's how it tranceives power line commands to Socket Rockets for instance. 

[Brian H]

TakeThe Active. Thank you I should have said RF receiver as the CM11A has a powerline receiver in it.

[TakeTheActive]

CM15A - PLC Transceiver, RF Receiver (not sure about RF Transmitter - why would it?), Computer w/Memory

Yes, it transmits, that's how it tranceives power line commands to Socket Rockets for instance. 

Yes, it *DOES* transceive PLC to Socket Rockets, but that wasn't, IMO, the proper PROOF regarding RF!?!  [Socket Rockets are *ONLY* PLC.]

Yes, it *DOES* transmit RF to TM751s would have been the answer that would have convinced me (which is what I determined from my further reading... )

So it seems to me, late comer to the CM15A party that I am [2 months and mine is *STILL* in it's box!  ], that the CM15A was an EXCELLENT CONCEPT that was just EXECUTED POORLY... 

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

My apologies if I'm confused, but I thought "socket rockets" only received RF commands and not PLC.

[steven r]

...I thought "socket rockets" only received RF commands and not PLC.

No they only receive PLC.

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

I stand (sit?) corrected! 

Well, another argument for it transmits would be; "Why else have a "sendrf" command in the SDK?" 

[Brian H]

I believe the RF transmitter can do things the Firecracker Interface can.
Not sure but maybe pan and tilt on the Ninja as it is RF controlled for pan and tilt and powerline X10 signals for on and off.