Dropping landline but what to do next

[dfarrell]

Greetings,
 
I'm a DIY and have installed a HAI Omni system in my home. I will be dropping my landline and need an alternative for the system to notify me in the event of an alarm. I do not want a monitoring company and would like for the system to continue to directly notify me. What options do I have and is relatively easy to setup. So far i'm checking out the C3 cellular com unit. 
 
Also, and it has been awhile since I picked up the install manual but can the Omni be setup to send e-mail or text message if I get an alarm?
 
Thanks in advance for your help...this is such a great place to search/go for answers!
 
 

 

[elvisimprsntr]

I haven't had a land line in over 10 years. Thankfully my Elk, ISY, and IP cameras are DIY devices that offer a lot of user flexibility. Sine they are all on my LAN I can program them to send almost anything via a text message (with pictures) or email. No need for a cellular interface. Not to mention I can remotely control via mobile apps. The question is does the Omni have LAN interface option and user programmability either directly or with a third part device or application? I would start there.

 

[Photon]

My Elk system reliably contacts my phone with voice and text messages using our Vonage account. I was reminded during a recent power failure that I need to replace my defective UPS for the cable modem, router, and Vonage telephone adapter if I expect the Elk to contact me to report trouble with power, Ethernet, and phone.

For best reliability, I think one needs the hardware necessary for the security system to communicate via the cellular network. I think the nearby cellular towers are more reliable than Charter Cable's infrastructure. That would also help overcome the vulnerability of their cable at the house entrance, the ped in the backyard, and their main cabinet for our housing area.

 

[Del91574]

You don't need to limit yourself to only a C3. Though the DIY aspect is attractive to many, it has shortcomings that can't be overlooked.
 
Almost any commercially monitored system can use a dialer capture unit...and there should be some sort of connection from a dry contact on the unit to a zone on the HAI for supervision/trouble indication purposes. The most universally supported unit I've seen is Uplink (it can emulate the CS account directly, no 3rd party porting needed and the CS doesn't need to be an Uplink partner to monitor it).
 
@ Photon, Yes, Vonage can work with alarm systems, but I'm sure you're aware that the ATA adapter will provide voltage to the panel irregardless of internet connectivity or even connection quality, so until you get a FTC at the panel, you never know connection is down....unless you're watching it and testing it very frequently. This isn't just a problem with Vonage, it's an issue across every ATA or "digital voice" provider.

 

[dfarrell]

Thanks guys for the information but I left out one important fact that I'm a snowbird and will not only be dropping my landline but also the DSL/LAN at my primary residence. I recently picked up a Verizon jetpack mobile MiFi that will go back and fourth with me. So basically all form of outside communication is going with me.
 
This may sound like a silly question but in keeping DirectTV active at the primary residence, does this satelite provider offer any type of interface?

 

[pete_c]

This may sound like a silly question but in keeping DirectTV active at the primary residence, does this satelite provider offer any type of interface?

 
Here still utilize DTV.  That said I did once take a small portable dish and receiver to Colorado on a little vacation once.  Worked just fine in an area which didn't have cellular phone or regular OTA TV available.  I put a small dish on a coffee can on the deck; took about 10 minutes to adjust for best satellite signal. 
 
Its a tiny "portable" dish that came in a small plastic case with a clip on / and free standing tripod, compass and level.
 
Your account should work just fine except that local channels will be most likely where you have the bills sent to or how you originally registered your DTV box.
 
The above noted you can do similiar or just mount a DTV dish wherever you go. 
 
The recievers still have phone jacks on them for dialup stuff / ordering movies or you can just go online and order movies or even just call them.

 

[dfarrell]

Cocoonut...can the Omni be connected to the DTV receiver in some fashion for outgoing communication and ultimately to my cellular?

 

[pete_c]

The Leviton HAI C3 cellular com unit can function as a regular voice phone line.  You purchase a cellular SIM for it.
 
The above noted if you switch over to using the HAI C3 for your HAI OmniPro; you can hook up to it with your DTV receiver.
 
The HAI OmniPro alarm outdialing will supercede any internal dialing.