09-16-2012, 09:04 AM
I heard the new systems now use cell phone towers to communicate to the alarm system ... Good luck cutting the wire on that. Plus the systems have battery backup in case of power outrage or the thief finding out where the central alarm box is.
Most of the alarm systems (brain) are connected to sensors (door/window/motion detectors) Even the siren is powered to the homes AC, but it is remotely turned on or off wireless just like the sensors. There are no codes to remember or keypads. Basically you get a key fob, just like in your car alarm system you turn it on and off with a wireless switch.
One reason they do this is so thieves can't just bust in and follow the wires to the brains of the system. They have to get lucky and search for it. By the time they find it the brains will have called the central alarm system and the cops will be on the way.
That's all fine and dandy... But this ain't the mainland.
1) cell service is "IFFY" in many parts of puna.
2) even when the cops are called it's gonna be awhile before they show up (unless you live on county roads) private roads in a subdivision. Your guess is as good as mine.
So... You could hook the unit up to regular dial up (pots land line). But, if you do that just make sure you put the junction box, where the service comes in (hidden or up high where a thug would need a ladder). Make it hard for them to cut the land line. Or if you got high speed internet like cable or wireless (microwave) you could hook up magic jack to your alarm system and have it call your cell phone... Then it would be up to your to race home or call the cops.
Most thieves are stupid and lazy. I've not seen a home with bars on the windows yet. Hope it doesn't get that bad!
Most of the alarm systems (brain) are connected to sensors (door/window/motion detectors) Even the siren is powered to the homes AC, but it is remotely turned on or off wireless just like the sensors. There are no codes to remember or keypads. Basically you get a key fob, just like in your car alarm system you turn it on and off with a wireless switch.
One reason they do this is so thieves can't just bust in and follow the wires to the brains of the system. They have to get lucky and search for it. By the time they find it the brains will have called the central alarm system and the cops will be on the way.
That's all fine and dandy... But this ain't the mainland.
1) cell service is "IFFY" in many parts of puna.
2) even when the cops are called it's gonna be awhile before they show up (unless you live on county roads) private roads in a subdivision. Your guess is as good as mine.
So... You could hook the unit up to regular dial up (pots land line). But, if you do that just make sure you put the junction box, where the service comes in (hidden or up high where a thug would need a ladder). Make it hard for them to cut the land line. Or if you got high speed internet like cable or wireless (microwave) you could hook up magic jack to your alarm system and have it call your cell phone... Then it would be up to your to race home or call the cops.
Most thieves are stupid and lazy. I've not seen a home with bars on the windows yet. Hope it doesn't get that bad!