Activating Uplink DigiCell AnyNET

[Prefect]

I purchased a new-in-box Uplink DigiCell AnyNET off of eBay for what seemed like a pretty good price. I've powered it just to see that it works, and it looks like it's getting at least one network with "good" signal strength.

My question has to do with how to activate it. The user manual says "For new customers, establish an account with Uplink by visiting the www.uplink.com website, or calling..."

When I look on their web site, I don't see an obvious place for consumers to sign up. The sign up stuff I can find seems more related to dealers. Do I even need to activate with Uplink, or do I just set up a NextAlarm account directly?

If it matters any, I will be using it with an ELK M1G and serial port expander.

thanks,
Steve

 

[DeLicious]

no need to set up with uplink unless the $2/month savings is huge to you. just call nextAlarm directly, tell them what you want, and make sure to tell them you are using the serial connection for them to set it up correctly.

 

[Prefect]

no need to set up with uplink unless the $2/month savings is huge to you. just call nextAlarm directly, tell them what you want, and make sure to tell them you are using the serial connection for them to set it up correctly.

What's the deal with the $2/month savings? Do you save if you sign up with Uplink directly?

thanks,
Steve

 

[DeLicious]

ya, I think if you sign up with Uplink directly, it's $5.95 (don't quote me... probably not exactly right) and if you sign up with NextAlarm, it's $7.95, so NA gets $2 a month out of it... I'm more than happy to pay NA; they're a good company.

 

[Prefect]

ya, I think if you sign up with Uplink directly, it's $5.95 (don't quote me... probably not exactly right) and if you sign up with NextAlarm, it's $7.95, so NA gets $2 a month out of it... I'm more than happy to pay NA; they're a good company.

Interesting.. I just emailed them about signing up and the response I got back was that you have to be a dealer to sign up with them.

 

[DeLicious]

"them" being uplink? well, i guess it's possible, but there are instances of individuals signing up that I have heard of.

 

[Prefect]

"them" being uplink? well, i guess it's possible, but there are instances of individuals signing up that I have heard of.

Yes, I contacted Uplink. Sorry I wasn't clear.

I wonder if it was a recent policy change, or maybe a situation of one representative saying/allowing one thing, and another following a different procedure.

In any event, it's probably not worth the hassle of dealing with two separate companies just to save a couple of bucks. If I'm lucky it will all be a wash with homeowners insurance savings anyway.

 

[heffneil]

"them" being uplink? well, i guess it's possible, but there are instances of individuals signing up that I have heard of.

Yes, I contacted Uplink. Sorry I wasn't clear.

I wonder if it was a recent policy change, or maybe a situation of one representative saying/allowing one thing, and another following a different procedure.

In any event, it's probably not worth the hassle of dealing with two separate companies just to save a couple of bucks. If I'm lucky it will all be a wash with homeowners insurance savings anyway.

I have an Omnipro and I wonder if you could set up this device so that if the phone line has no signal it will revert to the cellular version. Anyone heard of doing such a thing? Also do you need any additional service other than the monthly number you guys are talking about?

Thanks!

Neil

 

[DeLicious]

I don't know about the OmniPro, but I know with the Elk it is possible to use the AnyNET as a backup if the phone line fails. I personally just use it as the primary mode of communication. So, it is possible, but you'll have to check your system instructions.

As for the service, with NextAlarm, you'll have to get their standard monitoring service plus their cellular monitoring. I think I pay somewhere around $22 a month for monitoring.

 

[Prefect]

I have an Omnipro and I wonder if you could set up this device so that if the phone line has no signal it will revert to the cellular version. Anyone heard of doing such a thing? Also do you need any additional service other than the monthly number you guys are talking about?

Thanks!

Neil

There may be some specific way to handle this within the Omni Pro that would allow you to retain the full contact ID reporting (i.e. what caused the alarm). In the absence of that, you could possibly use an ELK-980 telephone line fault monitor combined with your alarm output on your panel. The Uplink has an input that can connect to the alarm output on most panels. So, you'd basically set it up so the alarm output would only go to the Uplink if the line fault detector indicated the line was bad.

ELK 980 link: http://www.elkproducts.com/products/elk-980.htm

This is less than ideal, but it would probably work. With the ELK panel, we're able to set up primary and backup contact numbers, and the Uplink can be configured as a backup to a phone line, or to be the only device (or, I think, to work in parallel with a phone as well).


Hope this helps.

-Steve