Re: DSC 832 on Cable VoIP

[tourman <robercampbell@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Jan 3, 12:04=A0am, Jim <alarmi...@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> On Jan 2, 7:33 pm, tourman <robercampb...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Jan 2, 6:09 pm, "Robert L Bass" <nore...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > > "Effenpig1" wrote:
>
> > > > I won't use anything but a POTS line for sending signals with the b=
uilt in
> > > > communicator...
>
> > > I understand the concern with all the problems that have come up so f=
ar.
> > > However, it appears as though all of the major carriers are going to =
switch to
> > > some version of VoIP, even for what we now know as POTS lines. Many o=
f the
> > > inter-city trunks are already digitized and the rest are going that w=
ay. Only
> > > time will tell what kind of hoops the alarm industry will have to jum=
p through
> > > just to get a signal down the line.
>
> > > > Any other phone service gets IP monitoring or cellular...
>
> > > We're getting a lot more calls for cellular backup and even for cellu=
lar as
> > > primary these days. Most are not yet coming from residences though. A=
 couple
> > > of our regular clients operate remote pumping stations that have to b=
e monitored
> > > 24/7 for pressure, water level, etc. These are for both fresh and was=
te water
> > > facilities. It's surprizing some of the niches that alarm gear finds =
its way
> > > into.
>
> > > > Sending signals over anything other than a standard phone line with=
 the panels
> > > > digital communicator opens you up to serious liability should there=
 be a
> > > > communications failure resulting in loss...
>
> > > A lot of that depends on how well you've worded your contract, but ce=
rtainly
> > > it's better to avoid the loss than deal with the jury. :^)
>
> > > --
>
> > > Regards,
> > > Robert L Bass
>
> > > =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D>
> > > Bass Home Electronics
> > > DIY Alarm and Home Automation Storehttp://www.bassburglaralarms.com
> > > Sales & Service 941-870-2310
> > > Fax 941-870-3252
> > > =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D>
>
> > RHC: I guess I'll try the 4/2 format as Nick suggested before I swap
> > out the board. It just doesn't seem logical that the panel should
> > seize the line and dial out only under some conditions but not
> > others...you'd think it would work totally or not at all.....?????
>
> > I've sold quite a few of the Uplink 2530 cellular devices as a primary
> > means of communication, where the client didn't have a home phone and
> > had no intention of ever getting one. But at nearly $300 my cost
> > (including the 3 amp power supply, battery and transformer needed),
> > and extra monitoring costs, they aren't a big seller. Those that have
> > bought, have looked at their ongoing home phone line costs, and figure
> > it costs about 6 or 7 months to pay off the unit; then figure the
> > extra ongoing $10 is still cheaper than a phone line.
>
> > I sell a lot of high end panels in homes where the cable phone service
> > is the only service wired in there. It's going to start making me very
> > nervous if I have to wait until the job is done and only find out when
> > I go to put it on line, that it doesn't work. This is the first panel
> > I've run up against that has exhibited this problem. I normally put in
> > the SP6000 / 7000 / 5050 Magellan panels from Paradox and have never
> > had a problem....(yet). Their board technology is a lot newer than
> > DSC's so maybe that has something to do with it....(fingers crossed)-
>
> Since the beginning of this switch over to VoIP (in spite of all the
> warnings and trepidation) I haven't heard of anyone having a constant
> major problem with the cable company telephone service here. Just a
> note, those that have had problems were not using Napco. I haven't had
> any problems except for the following, =A0which have nothing to do with
> quality of signal. 1/ Cable techs back feed the telephone service to
> the alarm system and the alarm panel still senses telephone service
> but can't call out. I tell my clients to test their system before the
> cable guy leaves but sometimes they don't. 2/ In some areas, the cable
> service goes out in the middle of the night causing the line fault
> monitor to sound the alarm. Some clients I've had to remove the line
> fault monitoring option. 3/ At the beginning I had a few instances of
> not being able to sustain communication during a download. But that
> doesn't seem to be a problem anymore. No reports of alarm signals not
> going through.
>
> Bob, with regard to your problem, since you said =A0your problem was
> only on some specific signals, the following comes to mind: Why do you
> and DSC not think that Contact ID would work where SIA wouldn't? That
> is ... why wouldn't DSC recommend Contact ID first, before
> recommending 4/2? Just curious. Since *they* didn't, it would raise my
> suspicions that it could be a problem they're not telling you about.
> ( In my limited contact with DSC Technical, they don't seem to be as
> forthcoming as they should be about problems they're having) Also,
> could it be that the cable bandwidth ( which is set up for voice
> communication) =A0is limiting the frequencies that can be transmitted
> which just happen to be in those particular alarm signals that you're
> not able to transmit? It doesn't seem to equate that some signals can
> get through and others can't without considering this.

RHC: I completely agree. It makes no sense that some signal types
would go through and others dont....none whatsoever. I'm going to try
4/2 to see if it works, then change out the board if that doesn't
work, then put in a system of a different make if that doesn't work.
I'll let you guys know what I discover when I fix the problem.

Thanks to all for the feedback (and Tom, what that stuff, it'll kill
you.....:))