[sci.electronics] Wanted:GE Homeminder

steve@cpdaux.UUCP (Steve Lemke) (07/10/89)

In article <1585@wjvax.UUCP> jeffs@wjvax.UUCP (Jeffery Siou) writes:
}      I'm looking for General Electric 'Homeminder'. Its related
}to X-10 appliance modules. I'm willing to buy or trade for one.
}If you have one or know where to get one, please let me know,
}by E-mail.

I never saw this unit made by General Electric, although I understand they
made a bunch for Radio Shack to put their name on.  I never saw Radio Shack
really trying to sell it (for what it was really worth - probably about $150)
until they had their big "closeout sale" ($60) about a year and a half ago.  I
bought mine back then (in college) knowing I had no use for it but that some-
day I'd be able to.  I've now been using it for about nine months, and it's
really awesome!  A whole house timer and everything!

}Also I was wondering if anyone that has one, has ever modified one to
}respond to an outside input(i.e. temp, switch closure or sound)?

I never really thought about mods, but if anyone knows about any, please
send them on to me.

However, there is _one_ thing I'm curious about - if you hit "0" while
looking at the main menu, it says "Do you want to use both a phone
answering machine and the phone function on the Homeminder? 1=yes, 2=no".
Does anyone know what this is for?  Does it put it into a "ringback mode" or
something?  There's no reference to it in the manual - in fact, the manual
says if you want to use a phone answering machine on the same line, unplug
the phone line from the HomeMinder.  This new "feature" I found, doesn't say 
anything after choosing either yes or no.

}Any help greatly appreciated.

Same for me...
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watrous@athos.rutgers.edu (Don Watrous) (07/11/89)

In article <354@cpdaux.UUCP> steve@cpdaux.UUCP (Steve Lemke) writes:

> However, there is _one_ thing I'm curious about - if you hit "0" while
> looking at the main menu, it says "Do you want to use both a phone
> answering machine and the phone function on the Homeminder? 1=yes, 2=no".
> Does anyone know what this is for?  Does it put it into a "ringback mode" or
> something?  There's no reference to it in the manual - in fact, the manual
> says if you want to use a phone answering machine on the same line, unplug
> the phone line from the HomeMinder.  This new "feature" I found, doesn't say 
> anything after choosing either yes or no.

It's just a way to delay the Homeminder pickup so the answering
machine gets first crack at the call.  From a previous posting on the
Homeminder:

    The manual warns that the Homeminder must not be used on a line with an
    answering machine, but undocumented command 0 on the main menu brings
    up a screen offering to do just that.  When this feature is activated,
    the Homeminder will connect to the phone line about twenty seconds
    after the last ring.  After announcing its presence with three beeps,
    it waits for touch tones.  If none are forthcoming, it disconnects.

Presumably, it's still a bit confusing when used together ("Beep-beep-beep." 
"What was that - am I still taking to the answering machine?  Oh, darn!") 
that they decided to bury the feature.

Don
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