OT security system main panel

I'm not sure of the name ( Home Monitor ?? ) but there is a security system available through Graybar and others that is programmable to call several phone numbers in rotation. It seems like the one I had 15 years ago had 4 zones plus 1 fire zone. It would call your number or any other number in its program and deliver a voice message. I don't remember the number of zones, but as you are probably aware, zones can be grouped together to condense the total number. Another nice feature of that system is that you could call it from any phone and open a mic on the premises for 15 seconds or so. I would imagine the current model has many other features including temperature alarms, which lid is up on which toilet seat, etc.

Bob Swinney

"Karl Townsend" wrote in message news:ujVUe.8711$ snipped-for-privacy@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...

I have a DSC system that includes 8 zones and is expandable and offers a number of modules. I did buy mine from Smarthome (a decision I'd reconsider, not bad, just a bit less responsive than I'd expected). The DSC system has been really rugged.

Just remember (I worked my way through college as an alarm installer) that false alarms come from two areas--poor operation by people and bad installations). You have to be detailed about the installation of the new system to avoid things that will cause maintenance problems in the future.

Finally I like local alarms with a loud bell/siren. I'm happy to scare off the intruder/burglar rather than having him/her rooting around until the authorities get there. The cell phone system might be the best of all worlds.

Now if you need a holdup alarm then a silent alarm with a good operations center is needed. Remember you can get an operations center anywhere to handle your system as they are only a phone call away.

I had a security system set up to call my pager for a few years. It would display a code for the condition that triggered it. The police force in the town I lived in were extremely slow and unreliable. I worked about 5 minutes from home, so response was good. The system worked well and in general, I liked it.

The biggest problems were related to travelling. If I was travelling, it would be hard to respond myself or possibly even call the police myself if I was away from a phone. A cell phone would ease that issue.

The other problem was when I did get broken into, I got to check the house and it was not fun. The police showed up half an hour later.

If false alarms are a problem, they should be fixable. As Howard said, train everybody involved who uses the system or fix the installation problems.

Bob

I have had such a pager system for over 15 years, and it is better than any system commercially availiable. Your own brain is the filter to sort out 'false alarms' so you can use unreliable sensors for additional info without worry. Very useful trying out new stuff, only you know what's happening.