Re: Unusual Challenge

[ABLE1 <somewhere@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Ok Guys!!!  Here you go.  After reading you should
be ABLE to get a good nights sleep.  :-)

And now for the rest of the story!!

I had installed this setup in 2013 and it worked great with
some minor issues over the years.  Batteries, switch, etc.
There were some reports of missed signals but was never sure
if it was the RF signal loss or the human ear missing the
burp of the sounder.  It has been just recently that they
have know that it has been more of an issue and called me
back to help work out a different plan to get the signals
better so that they would not miss a customer in the showroom.

When I got there last week as I said I checked the batteries
and they were a bit low so I replaced with new.  Not that it
made much difference but it did miss a signal and I thought is
was due to the fact that I triggered the door to fast.  Assuming
that the receiver or transmitter had some delay built in for
excessive trips.

I moved the transmitter to the shop and it worked every time while
there.  Placed the transmitter back in the attic above the showroom
and I put the transmitter back in the attic above the showroom where
it was but staff was in a meeting so I could not test.

Was told later that they tried it and it did not work a total of 3 times

Now the receiver has a wire about 7" long as a antenna.  I have
it hanging over the edge of a window so that the walls would not block
the RF signal. The Transmitter is in the attic space on a vertical
2x4.  The only thing that might block the signal would be the plywood
and asphalt shingles on the roof, 70' of distance, bug screen and glass
window.

Needless to say this is a intermittent problem that is NOW not working!!

Now for the revel!!!

It was mentioned the the bug screen was a metal mesh type.
And I was asked if that could be causing the problem.  I said
that I did not think it would but, it certainly would not have any
bad effects at this time of year to remove the screen.  Well
they did in the afternoon and did another test and the system
burped the horn 13 out of 13 times.  ð??® WHAT!!!!

They did this with the window open as well.  They are going to test
with the window shut the next day to see what the results will be.

They tested with the window closed the and it worked just fine 5 times.

I did some searching online and metal mesh screens as far as I can
find are not an issue with RF.  That is unless I am involved!!!

What I also found out was that this window is where they put a small
A/C unit during the summer.  Needless to say they have to remove the
wire mesh screen to install the A/C and then they re-install the
screen when they take the A/C out.  If they remember to do so.

So this problem is sometimes there and sometimes not there!!!
a.k.a.  A intermittent problem!!  Now SOLVED!!!

I strongly suggested that they get the screen frame re-screened with
a NYLON MESH screen!!!

Hope you enjoyed the story!!

Les