Hi,
I am working on a project to communicate with a cabin in the woods. I would like to be able to control lights, locks, and be alerted by a motion sensor from my home or cell phone. The cabin is across the city about 5 miles is running off a small solar panel so my solution must be low power. I've ruled out using radio because of interference.
Question: Will cellular communication be a good idea?
Cellular Communication, Shelter in the Woods
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- Franklin97355
- Posts: 23940
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 2:33 pm
Re: Cellular Communication, Shelter in the Woods
If you can get cell service at the cabin it should work. I think there was an article in Nuts & Volts a few months ago about this exact thing.
- john444
- Posts: 443
- Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2012 2:42 pm
Re: Cellular Communication, Shelter in the Woods
Hi RyGuy,
If you have cell service you might checkout the GeoGram 1 at http://www.dsscircuits.com.
It can send and recieve SMS messages and the one I have works very well.
Good Luck, John
If you have cell service you might checkout the GeoGram 1 at http://www.dsscircuits.com.
It can send and recieve SMS messages and the one I have works very well.
Good Luck, John
- ryguy69t
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2013 6:26 pm
Re: Cellular Communication, Shelter in the Woods
I wonder if the Geogram ONE is overkill for my project, I don't need GPS or an accelerometer. I just need the bare bones transmit and receive. I already own an Arduino, accelerometer and GPS module. Also, forgive my lack of knowledge but is 2G standard? I hear about 10g 5, 4, and 3g but never 2g or lower. I've heard of the SM5100B Evaluation Board by sparkfun and the GSM Playground but I don't know the differences or the any info on the ease of use. I'm a noob at all this, I first picked up an Arduino in November.
- john444
- Posts: 443
- Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2012 2:42 pm
Re: Cellular Communication, Shelter in the Woods
RyGuy,
I do not know about SparkFun's unit.
I have this one and it works well. As you say, lots of features.
2G is less expensive than the alternaives.
I am paying $20/year. Otherwise, it would not be practical for me.
Phone charges quickly exceed the cost of the hardware.
Good Luck, John
I do not know about SparkFun's unit.
I have this one and it works well. As you say, lots of features.
2G is less expensive than the alternaives.
I am paying $20/year. Otherwise, it would not be practical for me.
Phone charges quickly exceed the cost of the hardware.
Good Luck, John
- ryguy69t
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2013 6:26 pm
Re: Cellular Communication, Shelter in the Woods
John,
What plan/sim card are you using? Is it also possible to send text messages to the arduino and have it perform a task? For example I want to turn on one light by texting it '1' an two lights by sending '2' and so on.
What plan/sim card are you using? Is it also possible to send text messages to the arduino and have it perform a task? For example I want to turn on one light by texting it '1' an two lights by sending '2' and so on.
- redwire
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2012 2:24 pm
Re: Cellular Communication, Shelter in the Woods
I do a lot of remote monitoring using cell communication, in isolated areas. Range depends on what coverage your provider offers, i.e. GSM or HSPA etc. and where the cabin is. I use 7-9dB Yagi antennas on a mast 10-20' high (to clear the trees) for about a 12 mile hop. Careful when the tree leaves come out that you don't lose comms due to foliage attenuation. If you are in a valley, it's pretty tough. I've seen people "bounce" signals aimed into a hill, but rain stops all that. If you spend some time querying the cell modem module RSSI, you can find the best signal strength.
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.