DIY Wireless System Recommendations?

snipped-for-privacy@cw.org wrote:

Installing a system (particularly wireless) isn't as "easy" as some DIYer's may think. The features you list are pretty well "standard" in any system you get these days. DSC sells a wireless "all-in-one" unit, but I would strongly suggest that the main keypad (which is also your common control) be located somewhere other than next to an entry door. This goes for practically any of the "all-in-one" type alarms (like Ademco's Lynx, and Visonic's Power-Max). Of the three I've mentioned, all are relatively simple to program, but if you've read some of the questions posted here, you'll find that programming an alarm system requires a knowledge of alarm terminology. GE/Sentrol publish an installation handbook that will answer most of your questions regarding special applications like installing sensors in steel doors. It's geared to sell Sentrol/GE branded equipment, but the applications are pretty well universal. You can download it from the FAQ's page at

Regards, Frank Olson

Thanks for the info Frank. I've downloaded the handbook you mentioned. Yes, I'd definately be hiding the main unit somewhere. My neighbor had a Honeywell/Ademco installed by ADT. Its control panel is 2 feet from the front entry door! Yikes!

Initially I don't plan on having the system monitored by a Central Office. I will have it dial my cellphone. If after all is working I might get monitoring but to me, unless you have a GSM module, its too easy for the telephone line to get cut.

Thanks again for the input. I certainly appreciate it.

You can 86 the cellphone idea, it won't work.

It will dial, you will answer and hear nothing or maybe a few bleeps and buzzes, it will hang up, and dial again and again and again, until it fails out and puts up an FC on the keypad. The FC will remain there until you go into programming and exit programming...every time. BTW...all this time it's trying to dial your wife at home will not be able to use the phone.

It will provide you with NO useful information when it calls your cellphone, NO you won't know if it's an alarm condition or a low battery or your wife bypassed something after you left home.

It may be easy to cut the phone line, but believe it or not they usually don' - besides with your logic you're already beginning with a cut phone line :-)

I don't believe that.

besides with your logic you're already beginning with a cut phone line

An amateur and a fool wouldn't cut the phone line. I suppose your logic is to leave your keys in your car! :)))

besides with your logic you're already beginning with a cut phone line

I am speaking of using a voice dialer to call my cellphone.

don' - besides with your logic you're already beginning with a cut phone l= ine

RHC: Cripes ! ...spend $9 or $10 bucks monthly to have the thing monitored properly. That way it works as it should and you get an insurance discount on your property insurance, plus REAL protection, not some totally unreliable cell phone bullsh*t. There are all sorts of stations out there that will do your monitoring for next to nothing leaving you to do the service and warranty work yourself..

What the hell is it about DIY'ers ? Why put in a professional system and then cut it off at the knees....sheesh !!!!!

don' - besides with your logic you're already beginning with a cut phone line

Until your phone line gets cut. I would never get landline monitoring. Why pay a monthly fee when a pair of cutters can do the trick. Thats false security.

You think a landline can't be cut at the knee's? Hah! Its so simple even you can do it(I think).

don;t let him get to you, he's a bitter old codger. ;)

lly don' - besides with your logic you're already beginning with a cut phon= e line

If you only knew how many people tried a setup like you mention then later onl whine when it doesn't work

It'll never happen Kingfish...same for his butt buddy crash gordon.

don' - besides with your logic you're already beginning with a cut phone line

I know what you mean but that don't mean everybody is like that. You read reviews of products and some say they don't work and some say they work perfect. Most times its because the people who are whining shouldn't attempt or lack any understanding of what they're doing and the fault is on them.

I don't expect it to be a breeze but as with anything new there will be trial and error but I am certain I'll have favorable end results.

You made no mention of a voice dialer...which also has it's own set of problems.

It's your time and money...but I can tell you we've tried it and it doesn't/won't work.

Yeah thats because YOU tried it. Someone who knows what they're doing it does work! I read so many posts(on the web) about it working fine and your post is the only one that said it didn't. I've even emailed a few DIYers who have no problems. Only YOU have them.

Its not a 100% world crash. Anyways I've ordered a system. Seems you're the only one with all the problems.

Does your mom know that you're playing with the computer?

Heh. ouch!

I get such a kick out of these guys. And this one's a winner.

He's not going to get central station monitoring because the phone lines can be cut.

So he's going to use a voice dialer to call his cell phone

I guess he's going to use his neighbors phone line to do that. And of course he's always going to have his cell phone with him and he's never going to be in a place where he can't get cell service and he's never going to be in a position where he can't take a call and has to let it go to voice mail. He's never going to forget and leave his cell phone home or in the car ..... Nah .... things like that don't happen. Go ahead. Ask him. He obviously knows everything. Why else would he come here asking questions?