Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: [US] Lo-$ Choice for GSM/SMS for Alarm System?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    California
    Beans
    Hidden!
    Distro
    Lubuntu

    Question [US] Lo-$ Choice for GSM/SMS for Alarm System?

    So, I'm setting up an alarm system in my home and its dial-out function will probably be using a phone SIM card. I'm trying to make this as inexpensive as I can.

    The two choices I've had suggested are:

    1: Having it as a "second phone" on my regular mobile account. I don't have a mobile, so that's out.

    2: Having it use a prepaid SIM card with rollover, which is apparently pretty rare.

    Any bright suggestions will be appreciated!
    D0pU7609TCPMeRP54dXBA35l8500uEJbFeq4Q0KkPRDVG1n2D9 M48pafDw2N4Us

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Brisbane Australia
    Beans
    713

    Re: [US] Lo-$ Choice for GSM/SMS for Alarm System?

    For my custom home alarm system I just send an email to a email/SMS gateway service. There are heaps of them and they are cheap and reliable.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    West Hills CA
    Beans
    10,044
    Distro
    Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty Tahr

    Re: [US] Lo-$ Choice for GSM/SMS for Alarm System?

    What is the model of the alarm system? I have an old system with an analog phone dialer. I just reprogrammed it with different beep tones depending on the fault/alarm condition. I am assuming that you want to remove your analog land line and replace it with a second cell phone? If you have any pc's in the house running 24/7 as a server, you could install a modem card to receive the call and then run a script when a call comes in to send an email/SMS/text message to your cell phone.

    An alternative it to rewire the alarm's dry contacts into an Arduino or Raspberry Pi and use that to send the text message.
    -------------------------------------
    Oooh Shiny: PopularPages

    Unumquodque potest reparantur. Patientia sit virtus.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Beans
    76
    Distro
    Ubuntu 13.04 Raring Ringtail

    Re: [US] Lo-$ Choice for GSM/SMS for Alarm System?

    Depending on what exactly you are wanting to do, Ting.com can get you some dirt cheap cell service for small stuff like this.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    S.H.I.E.L.D. 6-1-6
    Beans
    Hidden!
    Distro
    Ubuntu Development Release

    Re: [US] Lo-$ Choice for GSM/SMS for Alarm System?

    Quote Originally Posted by 56es8lTI View Post
    So, I'm setting up an alarm system in my home and its dial-out function will probably be using a phone SIM card. I'm trying to make this as inexpensive as I can.

    The two choices I've had suggested are:

    1: Having it as a "second phone" on my regular mobile account. I don't have a mobile, so that's out.

    2: Having it use a prepaid SIM card with rollover, which is apparently pretty rare.

    Any bright suggestions will be appreciated!
    some phone providers actually have a address where you can send email to. Email that is sent there arrives on your phone as a txt message
    Don't waste your energy trying to change opinions ... Do your thing, and don't care if they like it.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Brisbane Australia
    Beans
    713

    Re: [US] Lo-$ Choice for GSM/SMS for Alarm System?

    Quote Originally Posted by tgalati4 View Post
    An alternative it to rewire the alarm's dry contacts into an Arduino or Raspberry Pi and use that to send the text message.
    Well I just assumed the OP had replaced his alarm box with something that ran Ubuntu (e.g. Beaglebone Black), else why is he asking/posting here in these forums?

    My alarm system is running on a Raspberry Pi (although that runs Raspian, i.e. essentially Debian) with a PiFace board which I have wired all the PIR and detector inputs into.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Beans
    0

    Re: [US] Lo-$ Choice for GSM/SMS for Alarm System?

    1. If it's just dial out, you may connect it to traditional fixed phone line. You still can use the phone, when the alarm system is working.
    Majority of GSM alarm system are supporting both SIM card and fixed phone line.

    http://www.hkvstar.com/pdf/g60.pdf

    2. Buy a prepaid SIM card and insert it into GSM alarm system, making sure the SIM is activated and regularly to check the fee for keeping it active.

    Quote Originally Posted by 56es8lTI View Post
    So, I'm setting up an alarm system in my home and its dial-out function will probably be using a phone SIM card. I'm trying to make this as inexpensive as I can.

    The two choices I've had suggested are:

    1: Having it as a "second phone" on my regular mobile account. I don't have a mobile, so that's out.

    2: Having it use a prepaid SIM card with rollover, which is apparently pretty rare.

    Any bright suggestions will be appreciated!

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •