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Author Topic: Project To Increase Range Of CM15A  (Read 269941 times)

tom j

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Project To Increase Range Of CM15A
« on: August 04, 2006, 10:50:02 PM »
Say did this guy ever complete this modification seems like it's been a few years in the making. Thanks

http://www.accessx10.com/howto_fconnector_page1.html

Tcj
« Last Edit: October 06, 2006, 06:46:21 PM by tom j »
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Dan Lawrence

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Re: Project To Increased Range CM15A
« Reply #1 on: August 04, 2006, 10:56:32 PM »
I think it was discussed in the old forum, and may have moved here.  Try searching for it.
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-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)

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Re: Project To Increased Range CM15A
« Reply #2 on: August 04, 2006, 11:00:22 PM »
I don't know.  But, I do know that the best thing that ever happened to my CM15A (RF range-wise anyway) was when my wife accidentally broke the antenna loose where it pivots.  Now there's approximately 1 inch of the white wire hanging out of the case between the case and antenna (and of course the antenna will only point down).  Oddly enough this extended the (virtually non-existant) range it originally had to fairly reasonable range.

By the way, mine is connected to an extension cord and hangs about two antenna-lengths above the floor (measured from the base of the unit).
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TakeTheActive

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Re: Project To Increased Range CM15A
« Reply #3 on: August 05, 2006, 03:00:38 AM »
Quote from: tom j on August 04, 2006, 10:50:02 PM
Say did this guy ever complete this modification seems like it's been a few years in the making. Thanks

http://www.accessx10.com/howto_fconnector_page1.html

Have you folks ever heard of GOOGLE???  ???
This forum, due to it's relatively 'YOUNG AGE', is certainly *NOT* (yet) the best place to find (all conclusive) X-10 Answers!  :(

TRY:

Other Places to View:

A better antenna for the MR26, W800, and CM15

Also, look at Dave Houston's work (preserved thanks to Jelf Volp!):


P.S. If you folks find this information USEFUL, I *STRONGLY* suggest that you CLICK on "HELPFUL" (more than you have in the past!  :o :( )
There are *MANY* folks (besides myself) providing *YOU* with *VALUABLE* information - and it doesn't COST YOU ANYTHING to say THANK YOU!?!  ;)
« Last Edit: February 27, 2010, 09:48:59 AM by JeffVolp »
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Brian H

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Re: Project To Increased Range CM15A
« Reply #4 on: August 05, 2006, 06:24:34 AM »
Yes it was not that hard to do and with an antenna higher up. Worked well.

Bill made an interesting find, that others may have known. The antenna wire is actually longer than the plastic tube it is in. Older units had the excess randomly balled up in the unit. Newer one hot glued around the case. I  have seen at least one person remove the plastic tube and replace it with a longer one where all the antenna wire is extended. That too added distance to the CM15As reception range.
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Duck69

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Re: Project To Increased Range CM15A
« Reply #5 on: August 05, 2006, 09:54:05 AM »
TakeTheActive, Thanks for the links.  ;D
Jim
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Brian H

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Re: Project To Increased Range CM15A
« Reply #6 on: August 05, 2006, 11:26:22 AM »
TakeThe Active; Thanks for the data.
Do some of us maybe know you as "Clear To land"; as your Avatar looks like one I have seen before.
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acj_sf

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Re: Project To Increased Range CM15A
« Reply #7 on: August 05, 2006, 11:10:45 PM »
After installing the f-connector to the CM15A can't you just buy a regular TV ant. instead of having to make one yourself? Or am I completely wrong about this?
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-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)

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Re: Project To Increased Range CM15A
« Reply #8 on: August 05, 2006, 11:14:41 PM »
Quote from: acj_sf on August 05, 2006, 11:10:45 PM
After installing the f-connector to the CM15A can't you just buy a regular TV ant. instead of having to make one yourself? Or am I completely wrong about this?
The length of the antenna is directly related to the frequency the unit sends / receives on.  Any other length will lose efficiency.
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-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)
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Brian H

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Re: Project To Increased Range CM15A
« Reply #9 on: August 06, 2006, 07:12:13 AM »
You really want someting tuned to the X10 310Mhz but since the CM15A RF transmitter has a different antenna than the RF receiver. The TV antenna MAY give some improvements. Though most are directional and may improve reception from one direction only. The example antennas are tuned to the 310Mhz and are not directional. You may also have to use a 300 Ohm to 75 Ohm converter as many TV Antennas are 300 Ohm.
« Last Edit: August 06, 2006, 07:15:45 AM by Brian H »
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acj_sf

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Re: Project To Increased Range CM15A
« Reply #10 on: August 07, 2006, 12:12:46 AM »
thanks for the clear-up. does anyone have more links to different types of ant. that can be made/used?
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tom j

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Re: Project To Increased Range CM15A
« Reply #11 on: August 07, 2006, 12:26:31 AM »
Quote from: Brian H on August 05, 2006, 06:24:34 AM
Yes it was not that hard to do and with an antenna higher up. Worked well.

Bill made an interesting find, that others may have known. The antenna wire is actually longer than the plastic tube it is in. Older units had the excess randomly balled up in the unit. Newer one hot glued around the case. I  have seen at least one person remove the plastic tube and replace it with a longer one where all the antenna wire is extended. That too added distance to the CM15As reception range.

Hi Brian, now that sound like something I might want to try but where did he get the longer one. Thanks

Tcj
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Brian H

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Re: Project To Increased Range CM15A
« Reply #12 on: August 07, 2006, 07:03:46 AM »
Hobby shops have plastic tubes and you should be able to find a close match. Since X10 is made in China [metric] I believe I had to find a close fit tube. I was going to try it, but went off on the Add an 'F' connector thing. Though I still have the tubing and a few more CM15As.
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dave w

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Re: Project To Increased Range CM15A
« Reply #13 on: August 07, 2006, 12:33:22 PM »
Tom j and acj_sf
FWIW
Don't know how much range increase you are looking for.  I decided to go the lazy route and was very pleased with results.

I found an old 10 foot length of TV antenna coax with F connector on one end. The other end, I stripped back the foil and braid ground for 18 inches from the end of coax (leave the foam insulator around the copper center conductor). I then put a hole in the ceiling above the CM15A (which is hidden in a closet), and jammed the 18 inch antenna up into the attic.

I can hit the CM15A from at least 50 feet around outside of house. If I braved the attic heat and pulled more of the coax up into attic to get the 18 inch radiating center conductor, up to roof peak level, I could probably improve range even more. Also as pointed out in the Dave Houston, article I am not precisely one wave length. I suppose I could tweak even more by making my coax an even increment of the 310 MHz wave length, but gee we are talking real work now.
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TakeTheActive

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Re: Project To Increased Range CM15A
« Reply #14 on: August 07, 2006, 03:42:21 PM »
Quote from: Brian H on August 05, 2006, 11:26:22 AM
Do some of us maybe know you as "Clear To land"; as your Avatar looks like one I have seen before.
Gosh durn avatar gave my cover away, huh? :)

Or was it the "Tuicemen"? Did he squeal on me?  >:(

 ;D 8) ;D
« Last Edit: August 07, 2006, 04:55:31 PM by TakeTheActive »
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