Do you think that's why they changed the design of the aerial with the CM15A? (BTW, what's the difference between "aerial" and "antenna" - or is there one?)
Was that a standard way of building cheap transceivers? It seems like a weird way to do things unless it saves a lot of money in assembly or part costs.
It's not hard to predict that some simpleton getting crappy reception would open that sucker up and try to attach a wire to the PCB where they assumed the antenna connection was. After all, we've seen some pretty frightening reports from the field here in CHA about what people do with lethal voltages. I'll bet more than one poor schlub's gotten a blast of 110VAC after trying a simpleton mod.
The modification photos made the CM15A changes look fairly easy, with enough room inside the case to mount a real "F" type connector. Damn it Dave, now I am going to have to go out and buy one of these suckers, if only to avenge the death of the TM751 I tried to modify! The pictures at:
Such is the way with web-based forums. I am not very fond of them but sometimes that's all there is. It's sad that so much of the discussion of X-10 is taking place elsewhere.
Was that the twinlead turnstile design found here:
If I understand correctly, your unit had a built-in signal strength meter. I submit that's really the only way to lend some objectivity to claims of enhanced reception. A lot of the posts I've read have been lacking that real world quantifier: is the signal really stronger after an antenna change? Since you've got an iron-clad way to test for improvement, once again I have to defer to your knowledge. How much better is the eggbeater than the turnstile in practical terms? Is the BX24-AHT still available anywhere?
That certainly undercuts the usefulness of my prior advice! :-) (Note to self: Restrict commentary to devices actually owned!)
There were some interesting mods listed at that URL that talked about using model airplane RC antenna tubes to make it possible to position the aerial more freely. That looked like a pretty simple mod that I might be able to do without fouling up. It does look like there is enough room inside the unit for even a klutz like me to install an F-connector and putting in a standard connector seems to be the only way to "do it right."
I don't doubt that. You're also probably got more electronics skills than
99% of our posters. I don't want to insult anyone, but a number of posts on the subject indicate that at least a few others aren't as gifted. I think that skill has some effect on the outcome of antenna mods. That's why I'd recommend moving the unit around before anything else. It's a solution with far less destructive potential than adding a new antenna. You have convinced me that a well-executed CM15A antenna mod will seriously extend the reception range. I'm just not convinced it's within everyone's skill set. :-)Hmmm. If they start selling them for $25 or so, I might take a look. I can see some distinct advantages from the marriage of all-housecode RF with both PLC and PC interfacing but I've been happy with my relocated TM751. I mounted it on top of a tall bookcase in the living room, which is about dead center for the house and oriented the antenna horizontally. I also ran a
110VAC line right from the transceiver to the breaker panel which really strengthened the X-10 powerline signal throughout the house. Before that the TM751 was located at the far end of branch that had a lot of appliances and electronic devices on it.Thanks for your input Dave, appreciated as always!
-- Bobby G.