cellular home security system questions

[kyle]

Hi All,

I am in the research phase for a security system for a home I just
purchased.

Here are my concerns (maybe you can alleviate them?)
-Worried that phone line can be cut on traditional system
-Worried that any motion detector/etc that is wireless can be
"jammed"/"tricked"

With these concerns in mind, I am thinking about:

Laptop with an 8hour lithium battery (but it will be plugged in)
T-Mobile cellular internet connection (I have verizon wireless internet
for my work but it's pricey at $80/mo)
NextAlarm.com's ABN Broadband Adaptor
Some sort of home security system.. any suggestions? 2story
house,plenty of windows/doors (wired -unless there is no worry about
wireless vulnerabilities???)

Questions..

1) how will the ABN adapter plug into my laptop?
2) T-Mobile ceulluar internet runs at about 5-9KB/sec tops.. will this
be fast enough??
3) How does the entire connection stream work: central alarm unit ->
abn adapter -> (usb?) laptop -> t-mobile -> nextalarm.com
4) How hard is it to do the wired vrs wireless security yourself? I
would think like ten times harder at least?


Thanks for your time,


Kyle


ps- what do you think about "flex-o-glass" film to apply over the
windows?
http://hardware.hardwarestore.com/72-429-window-film/flex-o-glass-window-material-633365.aspx

 

[kyle]

THanks G.Morgan for your input!

You have eased my worries about the wireless motion detectors/units --
could you perhaps steer me in a direction of these "anti-jam" products?
Will the GE Simon 3 incorporate this?

ALso, can you kindly explain why the laptop and T-Mobile idea will not
work? NextAlarm.com, if I purchase their GE Simon unit along with the
ABN Broadband adapter it seems like it should work?

 

[accidental plumber]

Can cell phones be easily jammed? Some propose to use equipment to jam
annoying cell phones in places that are not suppose to use it.

 

[Frank Olson]

Can cell phones be easily jammed? Some propose to use equipment to jam
annoying cell phones in places that are not suppose to use it.

Cell phones can very easily be jammed (on the voice channel). The
network (or control channel) is more difficult. Most cellular
communicators make use of the "control channel".

 

[accidental plumber]

Understand. Unfortunately, I was thinking of hooking up the cheap
cheap X10 dialer to the PC, then to a moto using a miniUSB. I'm sure I
can use the dialer with or without some hacks.

 

[kyle]

G. Morgan,

Thank you for opening my eyes to the situation..

I like the idea you suggested with the cellular communications. THat
is basically what I wanted to do.


I have shopped around and am quite stunned with how much the 5800
series products cost.

DO I need a 5800 series repeater? Let me know if I am missing anything
with my order for a 2 story lakehouse in florida:


1 x Ademco / Honeywell LYNXR24 Wireless Install Security System with
24 hour rechargeable battery for UL residential fire applications
1 x Honeywell / Ademco 5816-10KT 5816 Door/Window Transmitter - 10
Pack
2 x Honeywell / Ademco 5819WHS Wireless Integrated Shock Sensor,
Processor and Transmitter (White)
4 x Honeywell / Ademco 5894PI Wireless 80 lb. Pet Immune PIR Motion
2 x Honeywell / Ademco 5808LST Wireless Smoke/Heat Detector


$1,442.65


THat is quite a ticket! I am wondering if I should just invest in a
guard dog and a .45 for half the price?

Only thing I can see as added protection is if there is a fire they
will alert the fire dept.


Kyle

 

[Don]

G. Morgan,

Thank you for opening my eyes to the situation..

I like the idea you suggested with the cellular communications. THat
is basically what I wanted to do.


I have shopped around and am quite stunned with how much the 5800
series products cost.

DO I need a 5800 series repeater? Let me know if I am missing anything
with my order for a 2 story lakehouse in florida:


1 x Ademco / Honeywell LYNXR24 Wireless Install Security System with
24 hour rechargeable battery for UL residential fire applications
1 x Honeywell / Ademco 5816-10KT 5816 Door/Window Transmitter - 10
Pack
2 x Honeywell / Ademco 5819WHS Wireless Integrated Shock Sensor,
Processor and Transmitter (White)
4 x Honeywell / Ademco 5894PI Wireless 80 lb. Pet Immune PIR Motion
2 x Honeywell / Ademco 5808LST Wireless Smoke/Heat Detector


$1,442.65


THat is quite a ticket! I am wondering if I should just invest in a
guard dog and a .45 for half the price?

Only thing I can see as added protection is if there is a fire they
will alert the fire dept.

1 or 2 motions is enough if strategically placed

 

[Bob Worthy]

G. Morgan,

Thank you for opening my eyes to the situation..

I like the idea you suggested with the cellular communications. THat
is basically what I wanted to do.


I have shopped around and am quite stunned with how much the 5800
series products cost.

People might be stunned at how much a 2 story lakehouse in Florida is worth.

DO I need a 5800 series repeater? Let me know if I am missing anything
with my order for a 2 story lakehouse in florida:


1 x Ademco / Honeywell LYNXR24 Wireless Install Security System with
24 hour rechargeable battery for UL residential fire applications
1 x Honeywell / Ademco 5816-10KT 5816 Door/Window Transmitter - 10
Pack
2 x Honeywell / Ademco 5819WHS Wireless Integrated Shock Sensor,
Processor and Transmitter (White)
4 x Honeywell / Ademco 5894PI Wireless 80 lb. Pet Immune PIR Motion
2 x Honeywell / Ademco 5808LST Wireless Smoke/Heat Detector


$1,442.65


THat is quite a ticket!
I am wondering if I should just invest in a
guard dog and a .45 for half the price?

A quality guard dog, professional training, (don't try to DYI a guard dog,
you will get bit, so avoid the doctor bills), food, vet bills, dealing with
all the crap, a quality handgun, training, permit, ammunition, trigger lock,
etc. You may be just as stunned at that ticket. But wait! Burglar poisons
dog, steals gun, kills someone, legal fees defending yourself for not
securing gun. Guilty or not, you will still be invited to the picnic. Your
better off saving some money at Geigo.

Only thing I can see as added protection is if there is a fire they
will alert the fire dept.

Your thought process is right about the fire protection however.

 

[kyle]

I told my wife it would be able $1k. After the cellular equipment and
such, I'll be pushing $1.5K. She still hasn't bit as far as believing
a home security system is really going to provide any sort of immediate
safety to her when I'm 2000 miles away working during the week. Her
complaint is that so what if the alarms go off. By the time the police
arrive the burglar will have either raped,killed her and taken whatever
they needed. I told her we can install a deafening siren to alert
neighbors and such but she said is that going to keep her alive?

Are the prices reasonable or could be cheaper via a package deal?

ps- what about the shatterproof glass?

 

[Bob Worthy]

Now you are spilling some important info. Your wife has a very serious
concern about her safety when you are not at home. And believe it or not, if
you are leaving her, when she has these concerns, you can't be comfortable
while your out of town which may affect your focus. By the sounds of it,
whether it is a daily topic of discussion or not, her stress level, when you
are not at home rises over her feelings of not being secure. The last thing
she needs is to have that ear piercing siren go off in the middle of the
night due to cheap and/or improperly installed equipment. There is alot to
consider when you start looking into, not only property protection, but
personal protection. Yes, the dollar figure goes up and it is not a case of
merely adding electronics. There is a whole design thing for the interior,
as well as the exterior, of your home. On the high side, it could involve a
electronic home security design/sales/technical person, an electrician, a
locksmith, a landscape person (believe it or not), and if you and/or your
wife "really" have some concerns, that have not come out yet, a building
contractor. As far as the shatterproof windows (impact glass), they are
about triple the cost of a regular window, plus if you are thinking about
changing windows, Florida is now under a state wide uniform building code.
This means that, regardless of where you are located, you will need to come
up to the hurricane codes when doing any type of major renovation. They are
good, will deter the smash and grab, and give you protection during the
storm season.

One thing to remember with security systems. They do not "protect" anything.
They can only "detect", "communicate" and hopefully "deter". Before you
spend any money, I would suggest you get a good understanding of your wife's
comfort level. By the sounds of it, she has some deep concerns. When I hear
the words "rape and kill", I know the client is not necessarily concerned
about that bracelet they received for their birthday. The game changes.
Don't tailor a price to this until you know where you are going. That might
bite you worse than that guard dog. ]

 

[kyle]

maybe i overstated the issue of her being worried. it probably is just
new home jitters. the neighborhood is definitely not crime-ridden by
any means. and i threw the rape/killed part in (hence overstatement)
... she is 21 and just lonely/nervous in a big house by herself. a
guard dog might give her more of a peace of mind than anything at this
point.

can you explain in more detail each of these services ?

Now you are spilling some important info. Your wife has a very serious
concern about her safety when you are not at home. And believe it or not, if
you are leaving her, when she has these concerns, you can't be comfortable
while your out of town which may affect your focus. By the sounds of it,
whether it is a daily topic of discussion or not, her stress level, when you
are not at home rises over her feelings of not being secure. The last thing
she needs is to have that ear piercing siren go off in the middle of the
night due to cheap and/or improperly installed equipment. There is alot to
consider when you start looking into, not only property protection, but
personal protection. Yes, the dollar figure goes up and it is not a case of
merely adding electronics. There is a whole design thing for the interior,
as well as the exterior, of your home. On the high side, it could involve a
electronic home security design/sales/technical person, an electrician, a
locksmith, a landscape person (believe it or not), and if you and/or your
wife "really" have some concerns, that have not come out yet, a building
contractor. As far as the shatterproof windows (impact glass), they are
about triple the cost of a regular window, plus if you are thinking about
changing windows, Florida is now under a state wide uniform building code.
This means that, regardless of where you are located, you will need to come
up to the hurricane codes when doing any type of major renovation. They are
good, will deter the smash and grab, and give you protection during the
storm season.

One thing to remember with security systems. They do not "protect" anything.
They can only "detect", "communicate" and hopefully "deter". Before you
spend any money, I would suggest you get a good understanding of your wife's
comfort level. By the sounds of it, she has some deep concerns. When I hear
the words "rape and kill", I know the client is not necessarily concerned
about that bracelet they received for their birthday. The game changes.
Don't tailor a price to this until you know where you are going. That might
bite you worse than that guard dog. ]

I told my wife it would be able $1k. After the cellular equipment and
such, I'll be pushing $1.5K. She still hasn't bit as far as believing
a home security system is really going to provide any sort of immediate
safety to her when I'm 2000 miles away working during the week. Her
complaint is that so what if the alarms go off. By the time the police
arrive the burglar will have either raped,killed her and taken whatever
they needed. I told her we can install a deafening siren to alert
neighbors and such but she said is that going to keep her alive?

Are the prices reasonable or could be cheaper via a package deal?

ps- what about the shatterproof glass?

 

[Bob Worthy]

maybe i overstated the issue of her being worried. it probably is just
new home jitters. the neighborhood is definitely not crime-ridden by
any means. and i threw the rape/killed part in (hence overstatement)
.. she is 21 and just lonely/nervous in a big house by herself. a
guard dog might give her more of a peace of mind than anything at this
point.

can you explain in more detail each of these services ?

A security design/sales/technical- Properly design a system to your home
(floor plan), interior (drapries, wall coverings (mirrored for instance)
furniture (heavy, contempory, etc.) flooring (tile, carpet, hardwood floors)
fireplaces, windows (type), doors (wood, steel, wood and steel, door jambs
(wood, steel), attic accesses, telephone demark, power circuit (cannot be on
appliance circuit) stairwells, AC/heating vents, crystal chandeliers
(reflective items), pets, safes, gun cabinets, collectors items, valuables,
utility room, gas or electric utilities, attached/detacted garage, large
attic fans in gables, crawl spaces, and that is off the top of my head.

Electrician- Exterior lighting

Locksmith- Re-key a new home, add dead bolts, add locks to interior doors
(closets, gun cabinet, safe area, areas where valuable are kept), gate
locks, outside building locks (sheds), sliding glass door pins, in Florida
(because your front door swings outward and the hinge pins are exposed to
the outside) hinge pins are recommended.

Landscaper- one of the best defenses is to eliminate any folage that can be
used as a hiding place and replace it with low growing folage that is
pleasing to the eye but a pain to get through, thorny, etc as a deterent to
keep away from the perimeter of the propery or house.

Building contractor- those windows you were talking about and if you
wanted/needed to go to the next step, a safe room. Good for home invasion,
storms (hurricanes), keeping those valuables, etc.

Without seeing the property, who knows what else. Where are you at in
Florida? I am in the Ft. Lauderdale area.

Now you are spilling some important info. Your wife has a very serious
concern about her safety when you are not at home. And believe it or not, if
you are leaving her, when she has these concerns, you can't be comfortable
while your out of town which may affect your focus. By the sounds of it,
whether it is a daily topic of discussion or not, her stress level, when you
are not at home rises over her feelings of not being secure. The last thing
she needs is to have that ear piercing siren go off in the middle of the
night due to cheap and/or improperly installed equipment. There is alot to
consider when you start looking into, not only property protection, but
personal protection. Yes, the dollar figure goes up and it is not a case of
merely adding electronics. There is a whole design thing for the interior,
as well as the exterior, of your home. On the high side, it could involve a
electronic home security design/sales/technical person, an electrician, a
locksmith, a landscape person (believe it or not), and if you and/or your
wife "really" have some concerns, that have not come out yet, a building
contractor. As far as the shatterproof windows (impact glass), they are
about triple the cost of a regular window, plus if you are thinking about
changing windows, Florida is now under a state wide uniform building code.
This means that, regardless of where you are located, you will need to come
up to the hurricane codes when doing any type of major renovation. They are
good, will deter the smash and grab, and give you protection during the
storm season.

One thing to remember with security systems. They do not "protect" anything.
They can only "detect", "communicate" and hopefully "deter". Before you
spend any money, I would suggest you get a good understanding of your wife's
comfort level. By the sounds of it, she has some deep concerns. When I hear
the words "rape and kill", I know the client is not necessarily concerned
about that bracelet they received for their birthday. The game changes.
Don't tailor a price to this until you know where you are going. That might
bite you worse than that guard dog. ]

I told my wife it would be able $1k. After the cellular equipment and
such, I'll be pushing $1.5K. She still hasn't bit as far as believing
a home security system is really going to provide any sort of immediate
safety to her when I'm 2000 miles away working during the week. Her
complaint is that so what if the alarms go off. By the time the police
arrive the burglar will have either raped,killed her and taken whatever
they needed. I told her we can install a deafening siren to alert
neighbors and such but she said is that going to keep her alive?

Are the prices reasonable or could be cheaper via a package deal?

ps- what about the shatterproof glass?


Bob Worthy wrote:
G. Morgan,

Thank you for opening my eyes to the situation..

I like the idea you suggested with the cellular communications. THat
is basically what I wanted to do.


I have shopped around and am quite stunned with how much the 5800
series products cost.

People might be stunned at how much a 2 story lakehouse in Florida

is
worth.

DO I need a 5800 series repeater? Let me know if I am missing anything
with my order for a 2 story lakehouse in florida:


1 x Ademco / Honeywell LYNXR24 Wireless Install Security System with
24 hour rechargeable battery for UL residential fire applications
1 x Honeywell / Ademco 5816-10KT 5816 Door/Window Transmitter - 10
Pack
2 x Honeywell / Ademco 5819WHS Wireless Integrated Shock Sensor,
Processor and Transmitter (White)
4 x Honeywell / Ademco 5894PI Wireless 80 lb. Pet Immune PIR Motion
2 x Honeywell / Ademco 5808LST Wireless Smoke/Heat Detector


$1,442.65


THat is quite a ticket!
I am wondering if I should just invest in a
guard dog and a .45 for half the price?

A quality guard dog, professional training, (don't try to DYI a

guard
dog,

you will get bit, so avoid the doctor bills), food, vet bills,

dealing
with

all the crap, a quality handgun, training, permit, ammunition,

trigger
lock,

etc. You may be just as stunned at that ticket. But wait! Burglar poisons
dog, steals gun, kills someone, legal fees defending yourself for not
securing gun. Guilty or not, you will still be invited to the

picnic.
Your

better off saving some money at Geigo.

Only thing I can see as added protection is if there is a fire they
will alert the fire dept.

Your thought process is right about the fire protection however.