Re: Best Way to Amplify X-10 Signal?

[nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston)]

Filters help with both noise and signal sinks while amplifiers may make
noise worse.

Brian S. Schang <brian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>Hello:
>
>To make a long story short, I've had much success using X-10 for
>lighting control. Although I have a smaller house, I have made sparing
>use of Leviton plug-in filters (I forget the model number) for the
>electrical devices I have that tend to attenuate the X-10 signals. I
>try to be cognizant of the devices I add so that I can pinpoint a
>problem when it occurs. I've been fairly successful.
>
>Now, however, I'm in a project to finish my basement. I'm staring to
>get flakey X-10 behavior, and I know exactly where the problems are.
>I've moved my computers from upstairs to the basement and have not
>reinstalled the filters yet. I'm sure that if I were to reinstall
>them my problems would go away.
>
>Here is my question ... is this really the best way to handle this
>problem? While I've been successful using these filters, I have
>friends and family that have been equally successful using repeaters
>and amplifiers. Which is the most robust solution?
>
>I ask simply because as I finish the basement, I'll either need to buy
>more filters or buy another solution, such as a repeater or amplifier.
>I want to try to put my money towards the most robust solution. While
>I don't want to throw money away, I'm willing to spend more to get a
>better solution.
>
>Lastly, and I really don't know what I'm talking about here, are there
>any issues with repeaters and/or amplifiers with extended X-10 codes?
>To be honest, I'm not sure if I even use extended codes right now, but
>if I am, I don't want to loose that functionality. Are there any
>issues that I need to be aware of?
>
>Thanks for listening and for any advice that you may be able to offer.