text message receipt turned to contact closure - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: schreib
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 05:44:39 pm
content: OK. I am a mech engineer, not a sparky!I am trying to put together a system to alarm with a sound in my home when a car 1/2 mile away(with heavy woods in between) passes over a weight sensor embedded in the lane. I have some of the equipment specified but need ONE last piece. The problem is this: The main wireless sensor sending a 900 MHz signal to my home ONLY results in a TEXT message or email to a cell phone. I DO NOT want it to alarm my cell phone. I only want an audible sound IN MY HOME. I cannot find any way to turn a text message or email into a HARD alarm sound. I do have this possibly helpful alternative: IF a text or email can be successfully completed() to a residential phone land line. . . IF(!), then I have a land line available being used ONLY for providing internet access to my DSL modem. I could USE that land line to do something(?). Like a Loop sensor. The first question is: Is it even possible for the cell phone network to signal a residential number.-- the only other thing I can figure to do is to buy a cheap cell phone and amplify its ringer so it can be heard around the home. half butt.-- The ONLY solution I found for a wireless sensor (NOT line of sight ) is the Monnit Company's dry contact sensor and Ethernet gateway. What is unique about their system is that it can send signals, wirelessly, through 8 levels of concrete floors in skyscrapers so I figure it has the best chance to work through my heavy woods. An alternative with a better way to get a dry contact response in my house would save the day!-- I do not want to trench 1/2 mile of wire to the sensorOTHER ideas?Thanks!DETAILS: MONNIT sensor--https://www.monnit.com/Product/MNS2-9-IN-DC-CFMonnit Gateway--https://www.monnit.com/CMS/GetActiveCMSPage?searchType=all&searchText=MNG2-9-EG-EGW&searchSort=&searchPage=

author: skarecrow
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 07:05:47 pm
content: What about sending the e-mail message to a device in your home that will alert you?Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk

author: fcb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 07:15:31 pm
content: If This Then That (IFTT) might help in turning the text message into something more useful.

author: skarecrow
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2017, 04:35:24 pm
content: Quote from: skarecrow on August 24, 2017, 07:05:47 pmI meant other than a cell phone, like a computer, laptop, or Raspberry pi.Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 26, 2017, 04:08:20 am
content: I can send an SMS from my mobile to an email address. I just type in my email address into the recipient field, rather than a mobile number. It turns up in my email inbox as an email, with the SMS text stored in a .txt attachment. The last time I did this, I sent an image as well - and it, too, came as a second attachment.The sender is given as 61422######@optusmobile.com.au (which isnotmy mobile number). This indicates my mobile service provider has set this service up. Might you have something similar?

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2017, 04:38:47 am
content: For %DEITY%'s sake, this is anX Y problemThe required result is a clearly audible alert when a Monnit wireless remote sensor is triggered.The current installation has aMonnit Ethernet Gatewayas the receiver for the sensor. A few minutes on its web page would tell you that it can be monitored from another device on the LAN by any of Real time TCP interface, SNMP poll and trap interface or MODBUS TCP interface, so you could write code to run on a Raspberry Pi or possibly an Arduino with an Ethernet shield to poll the sensor status and operate an audible alarm as required. Alternatively if your programming skills aren't up to the job, Monnit offer two alternatives: theMonnit Local Alert, which has a display and a 90dB buzzer, or theMonnit Wireless Control, which has two relay outputs that can be controlled by the gateway in response to sensor events.Either the DIY or Monnit off-the-shelf options would remove all need for SMS messaging and would alert locally with no significant delay and no reliance on the internet connection being up.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2017, 04:57:14 am
content: Why dont you use some radio product that isnt dependent on telephone or even worse, VOIP service, which could always be out. (Google "Internet kill switch" )

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2017, 05:56:05 am
content: Yes, a suitable low frequency radio link would do the job nicely. However it would need a relatively large aerial at each end (e.g. a 27MHz quarter wave whip is about 8') and probably a small solar panel and 12V SLA battery to power the sensor and transmitter.Even the wired option wouldn't be that bad, with no trenching required - suspended single wire earth return with a narrow band toneburst for signalling, preferably run along an existing fence line using electric fence insulators, but it could be run tree to tree through the woods.The Monnit sensors are compact and optimised for low power e.g. their vehicle sensor will run for several years from a pair of AA batteries, so it may be worth paying the premium to get a far simpler and less conspicuous sensor installation if its dependence on the iMonnit web server can be worked around.

author: schreib
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 26, 2017, 12:38:58 pm
content: Thanks Ian. It appears there is at least two ways to handle this. One, for those who program and are sparky-capable, and one who will just pay Monnit's price-- me! Also, thanks for noting the required result helping to focus things. Notice I have modified the original problem statement with details on the exact Monnit products. They are not the base level but the ALTA level products. However, their sales folks also wanted me to buy their Premium level software ($39/yr) so I could use their API web hooks capability. I am trying to NOT buy that and stay with their simple cloud based software system so I am not slaved into upgrading this and maintaining it for years.Finally, it appears to me(newly learned about Monnit) that I am forced to use Monnit's Ethernet server and thus their (free) cloud server service no matter what. So, short of figuring out a way to simply use their Industrial dry contact sensor and hack a receiver interface for my home, I am stuck with all that.

author: schreib
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 26, 2017, 12:48:17 pm
content: Again, thanks Ian. I would like to note I have no problem relying on Monnit's cloud server, only with having to pay UP for their ($39/yr) Premium service and the required "maintenance" of yet another license etc. I understand from Monnit that THEIR vehicle sensor is not ALTA capable but cannot recall exactly WHY this is required. I will be talking to ALTA today about your suggestions and see if it will all work. Then, report back! I am impressed that I was able to login to a forum where I have no clue, basically, and find someone who can result in a real outcome for my problem. Kudos to Ian.

author: Neomys Sapiens
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2017, 03:00:33 pm
content: Of course a cell phone can call a residential telephone. So you could get the cheapest little PABX and reserve one extension for alarm calls and fit a really large ringer to it. At least over here, the components are found in the telephone section of any DIY market. Including a mains power switch actuated by ringer signalling. So you could use a even bigger klaxon.

author: schreib
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 26, 2017, 03:50:26 pm
content: Sorry, I misstated that. . . I need to have the ability to send /accept a text messageat this unused land line and then make a contact closure based on receipt of anemail ortext.

author: schreib
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 26, 2017, 03:59:33 pm
content: FOLLOWUP!!I just learned that there is yet one more complication. The industrial world(especially sparkys) do not cut any slack for the Apple world. I failed to point out I use a Mac. The Monnit company's Ethernet Gateway setup software is ONLY PC compatible. Thus, IF I really want to follow through on Monnit as the big supplier(sensor and Gateway) I will need to buy Parallels and MS OS to run on my Mac to simply setup and tweak the Gateway. OK, so, another $150. . . Maybe I should find a sparky programmer and use Ian's first idea or RF hack: write code to run on a Raspberry Pi or possibly an Arduino with an Ethernet shield to poll the sensor status and operate an audible alarm as required or the low frequency radio link !! GEEEEEEZ.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2017, 04:23:55 pm
content: Can their gateway be manually configured using a web browser? For most bits of network kit, any manufacturer supplied configuration utility program is usually far more of a PITA than using the web interface if it has one. Only really sh!te kit has a web interface that on;y works with one browser, so if you use the web interface it shouldn't matter wheter youi are using a PC, MAC or a tablet. Once its configured it should talk to their Local Alert or Wireless Control without further intervention from a computer. If they 'upsold' you to a gateway without that feature, return it as 'not fit for purpose'! Naturally the salesmen want to sell you the most expensive on-going subscription service they can - that's the problem with a commission based salesforce.Otherwise take a look athttp://www.remotecontroltech.com/wireless-control-systems/stationary-industrial-radio-remote-controls/medium-range-remote-control-devices/medium-range-wireless-controls-switch-system/A 27MHz signal wont loose much going through trees. As long as there isn't a big hill in the way it should be fine. If in doubt, try to beg or borrow a couple of old 27MHz CB radios to check reception between the proposed locations. However if there is a major source of electrical noise nearby, (e.g. a welding workshop) all bets are off . . .

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2017, 05:27:57 am
content: Procmail and an Arduino?Quote from: schreib onTodayat 09:50:26accept a text messageat this unused land line and then make a contact closure based on receipt of anemail ortext.

author: Kalvin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2017, 02:32:06 pm
content: Using a Raspberry Pi or Arduino with a cellular module should be quite straight forward. The cellular module connected to Raspbebbry Pi / Arduino can receive an SMS and determine what to do according to message's contents. Raspberry Pi has also a built-in network connection available which means it can be configured as an email client polling for incoming email. Controlling a relay is quite simple task after that. You can also send a SMS and/or email from Raspberry Pi quite easily if you need to send some further notifications according to the message received.

author: schreib
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 01, 2017, 06:26:35 pm
content: Thanks for the input folks. I would probably do the Raspberry or Arduino thing. . . but I found an alternative alarm technology in a company called Dakota Alert. They have a one watt MURS radio signal and capability to go miles. I have it on order now. The Monnit product is way too complicated and not even assured it will do the job until I hook it up. . . Dakota unit I learned has been used for this application for years and is probably the best solution.https://www.dakotaalert.com/store/murs-alert-products/maps-bs-kit/