Homeowner Forum / Home Automation / November 2003

Bass Home Electronics now has a new sister site, Bass Burglar Alarms.
Several folks from this newsgroup have requested a java free version of the
website without frames.  I finally decided to create it.  I've been quietly
working on it for a while now.  There are over 2,000 pages of ...

The DirecTV system uses an RF remote.  It plugs into the back of the boxes via a
1/8" headphone-style jack.
Does anyone know if the remote sends signals on this for devices other than the
box itself?

I need to send serial data as part of my home automation project via a
wireless connection (rf ?) Anyone know of any ready made solutions or
anyone  got circuit diagrams for such things ?
Cheers

Can anyone tell me how to increase the strength of the xcam receiving antena.
Thanks

I plan to mount my Visonic PowerMax control box inside of a closet so
I want to disable the internal siren and use a wired external siren.
The spec for the unit says it will source 300 mA if I disable the
internal siren.  I also noted that the power supply is only 9V for the

Hello group..
I hope someone here might know what I need to know..I have been given an
older Crown PZM Mic, it's model is a 2.5W4C.  It is a ceiling mounted mic,
it is sorta walnut wood colored with an acrylic shield on the back side.

Has anyone used the Java API written by Jesse Peterson to control a CM11A?  
From searching this newsgroup it appears as though there are very little
modules that currently support status requests.
I'm writing a web-based home automation system that's completely platform

Anyone using answering machine software in place of a regular answering
machine?Which one?
I like the idea of getting an email at work when someone leaves a message.
I really want mailboxes and pager notification (my old panasonic does this,

I manage several buildings in "up and coming" neighborhoods.  There
are a variety of nuisances which I would like to catch on tape - theft
from mailboxes, dumping, vandalism, and in some cases, sitting on the
porch drinking 40's.

I am new to ActiveHome and am struggling with two aspects of it (using
Version 1.42 [v1.4 B2.0.70] Release v2.0 under Win98SE.
My first problem is setting a schedule on a Specific Date.  For instance
today is Monday 11/10 and if I set a schedule for all Mondays, it executes

Well, after keeping Hairy (13 month old black Peruvian male) and Hermione (4
month old black & white long-hair female ) in separate cages since Hermione
moved in about 6 weeks ago , we decided to remove the barrier between their
cages last night.

I have seen various products that allow you to control a thermostat
via a phone line but they all seem to be for low voltage. Can anybody
direct me to a product that will allow me to control a 220V thermostat
via phone?  If that can't be done, is there a way to do it via a PC

I am in need of a remote temperature sensor that is wireless and battery
driven for my freezer.  I have lost two freezers (and the food) over the
past couple of years due to either a power spike or the condenser going out.
Ideally I would like this to interface to a PC that can send ...

where do you all buy your cat5e cable? i just need a few reels and am
looking for some competitive prices. local home depot sells 1000 feet of the
basic stuff for just under $40.00, but i'm wondering if there is any place
cheaper.

I decided to go for a Geovision Card, to get stable live web video
streaming.
Now I am looking for a final piece of info: what other products will I
be needing to achieve this?  A 2+ GHz PC with ASUS mother board, 4