My 2-Gig Panel is not registering. I discovered this earlier today when I accidentally set off the alarm. When there was no call, I noted the cell connection issue. I have tried restarting the panel as well as pulling the power and battery. When it first powers up, there is no cell phone signal. However, I just look a little bit ago and it showed a fairly strong signal but still failed to register. After failing, the panel showed no cell signal again.
How often do you notice your panel having poor signal? Is this a recent development or has it been going on for some time?
As it would appear that your signaling issues are intermittent. Some things you’ll want to check:
-Installation point, main or higher floor, close to an outer wall (to achieve optimum signaling)
-Check to ensure that the external antenna on the panel is properly attached.
-Ensure that the panel is not located near any metal, which can diminish the signal.
(this was my question – Dexter reposted from a trouble ticket I sent to alarm.com)
This is a new problem. I had never had issues with signaling before. I checked the panel last night and noted the signal was strong when the radio test screen came up but then immediately dropped to 0. I also made sure the external antenna is properly attached. I’m wondering if the cellular card in the alarm is failing?
Thanks!
This is a new problem. I had never had issues with signaling before
Actually, digging into the history of signaling on this account, I’m seeing there is a long stretch of poor signaling, then it suddenly jumps in quality for another long stretch, then over the past few weeks it has been all over the map, with sporadic very high signal strength, very low strength, and middle of the road strength. We usually do not see such variation.
Do you happen to use an AT&T network extender for phone service at your location?
Have you powered down the panel, removed the module, and then re-installed it and the antenna to ensure it is seated properly?
Is there some place as a customer that I can see the signaling history? I had no idea there was that much fluctuation on the signal. As I said, I had noted a problem until I accidentally set off the alarm the other day and did not get a call on the panel from alarm.com Every other time we’ve managed to have a false alarm, things appeared to be in working order (i.e. alarm goes off, someone calls)
In any case, I powered down the panel, removed the module, re-installed the module, and triple checked the seating of the antenna.
I do have a AT&T network extender. Two things with that –
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In order for a mobile device of any kind to be used with the AT&T network extender, I have to add the phone number of the mobile device to an AT&T web portal. I haven’t done that with my alarm system – as I have no idea what the phone number for the panel might be.
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If I did have the number, I’m not sure that I would want to have the panel connecting to that network extender. If I lose power, there is no extender, let alone Internet connectivity. Part of the reason I chose this system was the battery backup and not relying on a landline.
Anyway, up until I double checked my original order a few mins ago, I thought I was on a t-mobile card, but you are correct – it is AT&T. At this point, it could very well be the placement of the panel in my house, but I’m wondering what changed to go from decent (but apparently intermittent) connectivity to basically having none at all.
I do have a AT&T network extender.
This makes a lot more sense then, and I had a hunch this would be the case. It helps explain the strange signaling.
Yes, Network Extenders need to have the phone number white-listed to allow it to connect. Unfortunately, from prior cases I do not believe AT&T extenders allow non-phone or AT&T service products to connect to extenders. If you would like to try to add the panel to yours, we can try. To do so, email customerservice@suretyDIY.com and reference this thread. Our team can then provide you with the phone number to add (it is different than your IMEI)
The problem with a network extender is that the module may attempt hundreds to even thousands of times a day to connect to this closer signal, only to be denied each time.
If the network extender will not allow the panel module to be added the best solution will likely be switching to a Verizon Cell Module.
If I lose power, there is no extender, let alone Internet connectivity. Part of the reason I chose this system was the battery backup and not relying on a landline.
Another reason that switching carrier modules may be the best solution.
I’m wondering what changed to go from decent (but apparently intermittent) connectivity to basically having none at all.
Hard to say, when was the Network Extender added? I would have guessed that it was added near the beginning of this month, but it may also be representative of provider (AT&T) tower changes and that extender.
With an extender in the home there will typically be problems, so that is definitely the issue to resolve.
Is there some place as a customer that I can see the signaling history?
Locally the panel will report an accurate signal which can be checked in real time, however no, there is not a signal strength history to view. Supervision troubles due to signal loss will show in your Alarm.com history. Radio Network Failures will show in the panel history.
In general signal strength itself does not indicate much, (the difference between 2 and 6 bars for the alarm panel is negligible as far as functionality goes) and the history will only register the strength when the panel reports a change. In many cases there are only a few readings over the course of a year, leaving little data to display.
I’ve had the network extender longer than I’ve lived in the home. So 3+ years with that and I’m coming up on a year service with my 2Gig panel and alarm.com in March. We have had a lot of rain and wind storms this past month – including flash flooding. I’m guessing we may have also lost an AT&T tower in the area. I largely have the extender running because when we moved into the house, AT&T’s signal was pretty terrible. I’d have go towards the front of my house, sometimes into the driveway to use my cell phone.
I’m going to unplug the extender after I get home and see if the panel is able to find another signal and register. I’ll operate without the extender if possible. Is there a reseller or other outlet that might trade cards (AT&T for Verizon for example?) instead of me needing to shell out full price?
Is there a reseller or other outlet that might trade cards (AT&T for Verizon for example?) instead of me needing to shell out full price?
I am not aware of one, but we cannot speak for other retailers regarding this. It might be good to first contact the seller where you purchased the module.
Another option would be to sell the current module after replacing it. They are often sold on ebay, (if you do so, would be good to specify that it is unregistered, not locked to any provider, and ready for new service) and if you can confirm through troubleshooting with the extender that the module is not defective, this might be a good route. Existing modules are unlocked and ready for use as soon as they are no longer linked to your account.