Hi guys

Found this cool thing on the web today that i would like to use for my grow. Basically im paranoid... maybe ive been smoking too long, but i am worried that my landlord will just turn up at my house (i know he cant legally do that but i doubt the law will be on my side when he find my babies) , or the HPs will catch fire etc etc....

this thing .... http://www.andis.sk/pdf/as04flate.pdf should be able to eliviate all/some of my worries...

basically, it allows you to send an SMS(or GPRS access if you prefer) to your growroom and the growroom will message you back with temperature, if there has been an intruder in the growroom etc etc... even lets you remotely shut the grow down!!!

I thought by integrating this system with a small webcam and an old laptop i could be in remote control of my grow (to some extent) and could guarantee it's shut off (say if i had to bring someone to my house who would not appreciate our love for mary jane!) - by checking the webcam online and using the SMS shut off.

Right, ill stop rambling now... let me know what you think.... i dont know if ill get one... or even where from, just wondering if u guys think something like this in ur grow would put ur mind at rest!?!



FrEeZe

P.S - for those too lazy to open the PDF - Here it is!!

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The Q-BOX is a wireless, installation-free unit based on GSM communication designed for house-monitoring – intruder alarm,
power black-out, temperature, remote help request
and control of electric household appliances.
Usage:
• The basic feature of the Q-BOX is a simple security function for stationary objects. The unit is typically suitable for usage in single-entrance offices and flats.
• The Q-BOX unit requires no installation. After insertion of a SIM-card into the internal holder put or hang the unit on a suitable place, plug-in the power adapter – ready!
• The authorized access is provided by identification keys (Dallas key, iButton). The unit can be armed and disarmed the same way.
• The remote control, monitoring and recording of events is performed by means of SMS messages (SMS version) or web/wap application (GPRS version). The unit can be armed and disarmed the same way.
• Alarm messages are delivered to authorized cell-phones in the following cases:
o power black-out
o connection drop-out between the unit and the server (GPRS version only)
o intruder alarm
o removing the cover from the Q-BOX (tamper)
• The Q-BOX unit offers the protection of old or sick people, as well as small children – a small wireless „Panic“ push-button after being pressed causes a prepared help-request SMS to be sent to selected cell-phones.
• The unit also measures the ambient temperature and allows the user to read it out remotely.
• A wireless wall-socket power switch is included for remote control of an electric appliance, e.g. an electric heater, light, etc.
• The status messages are sent by the Q-BOX regularly, by events and on request.

HW, FW and SW Development:
ANDIS, s.r.o., Opavská 20,
831 01 Bratislava, Slovakia
tel./fax: +4212-5477 4620
www.andis.sk, e-mail: andis@andis.sk

Manufacturing:
RMC s.r.o., Trenčianska 863/66,
018 51 Nová Dubnica, Slovakia
tel.: +42142-4455 611, fax: +42142-4434 175
www.rmc.sk, e-mail: rmc@rmc.sk

Specification:
Feature
Parameters
Communicator
GSM 900/1800MHz - GSM 850/1900MHz
Protocols
SMS, CSD, GPRS
Inputs
built-in thermometer, wireless „Panic“ push-button, tamper switches, power-down monitor
Outputs
wireless wall-socket power switch
Intruder sensor
internal PIR sensor, door switch (optional)
Local control
iButton
Auxiliary control
reset and default push-buttons
Remote control
SMS, GPRS, WAP (version dependent)
Status signaling
3 LED
Power supply
external 15V adapter
Power backup
internal 12V accumulator
Accessories
power supply, wireless push-button, wireless wall-socket power switch, iButton

Modes of operation:

1) Monitoring and control unit based on SMS communication.
The user inserts a SIM card, the GSM services provider being a free choice of his own. The bidirectional communication between the user and the unit is performed by means of SMS messages, without any need for other contracts and charges. The user only pays the actual fees for the SMS sent by the unit and his cell-phone, according to the respective contract with the GSM services provider.
2) Monitoring and control unit based on GPRS communication.
The user subscribes the service based on the GPRS protocol to establish a permanent communication between the Q-BOX unit and the communication server of the service provider. A communication of this kind is more comfortable and provides higher grade of security. All of the commands, events and messages are stored in the server of the service provider, there being accessible for the user via SMS messages, web interface, as well as WAP, even in case of damaged or destroyed unit. The customer pays regularly for the service as a whole and, possibly, for the data transmitted over the monthly limit.

Example of the communication with the user:

Request: House status
Answer: House: O.K.
Alarm on
Heater off
Temperature 27C
18.8.2005, 11:23
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sounds good but if your a paronoid person wont that gprs/sim card scare u a little they can pin point ya grow room aint goona put one in mine just yet but i yesterday ordered for 30 quid a remote therm with humidity for my room goess 100 meters dont switch things off but least you can always see enviro details

Didnt look at the prices but it sounds like an expensive way to settle to settle paranoia, id just change the door locks if i was that worried, or set up a cheap laptop and webcam maybe?, all the techo-bollox sounds cool but are you really going to use it?

I've seen these before.. they work pretty good!

I've even seen where a person had used this in conjuntion with Bear Mace in case there was a break in.. the intruders would not have been very happy.

It would work..but its a lot of extra work just to quiet the nerves.

, I like the Bear mace idea, but I wouldnt like to deal with them afterwards.... The only people you should be worried about are the plod entering your grow room, as you will have already made sure that you havnt told anyone, are at the very least only people you trust alot, so its probably a good idea not to use weapons on your grow room however cool it maybe...

I like the webcam idea, It would be good for me as I have a growshed at the bottom of the garden... and I like to look at it atleast once a day to make sure nothings going wrong, so this would save me a few trips and more importantly suspicion from the neighbours. But my worry would be if someone else managed to get onto the camera some how.. I no nothing about hacking, apart from the fact that people seem to hack anything... maybe the police could hacking in somehow? Is there a way for people to get onto your wireless internet connection to see whats on your computer or what your looking at? Because if I done this I would use a wireless laptop on a passworded network and then probably just use a Instant Messanger like Yahoo or somthing to view the webcamera on.

They are used a lot in sweden and places like that. They are shit hot and are used for remote checking of humidiy levels and temps. Like in all the floods we had last year they were used by alll the restoration companies as this save labour having to go to the place and check themselves.

Cheaper alternative,

What could be easier, simply stay in your house and never leave. Do internet work and order off 'tinternet ..

If you hear a noise from another room just pop your head around the door and check to establish the nature of the disturbance.