Thanks for your help with this!
(2) For $20-40, I wouldn’t mind picking up at least the bigger passive antenna (to compare with the default one during installation), though as you advise, it would definitely make sense to wait and see what happens during installation, before picking up the active booster.
(3) I just set up the SCS-2U01 here at home, and it looks like the above-mentioned portion of the setup instructions may have been a bit misleading: once the Extender was set up (status lights are all solid blue), I found that I did not need to dial #48 on a phone, in order for it to connect to the Extender: “Users can verify that they are on the Verizon Wireless Network Extender network by dialing #48 (and receiving an audio announcement). You will also hear a short double tone on your wireless phone when making or receiving a call while on the Network Extender network.” Link / Link /
#48 just gives a verbal verification that your phone is within range and connected to the Extender: After setting up the Extender & before making any calls, as I walked up to the Extender for the first time (i.e., reduced my distance from the Extender, from 25 feet to 5 feet, with a Verizon phone in hand), a new icon suddenly appeared on the phone, next to the Signal Strength Indicator (1st verification of connection to the Extender). I then placed a regular call, heard the ‘short double tone’ (2nd verification), then hung up & dialed #48, then got the verbal ‘audio announcement’ (3rd verification). Not sure if the ‘within 15 feet to register’ step is a one-time process or not.
Just in case, perhaps it would be best to locate the the 2GIG Panel within 15 feet of the Extender; that is, if it turns out (as I am hoping) that the 2GIG Verizon Communicator is in fact able to connect to the Extender in the same way that Verizon phones do. One disappointment so far is that, contrary to what I was told in the store, one does not see confirmation of the Signal Strength improvement in terms of an higher number of bars: the phones all still show 2 bars out of 5. There is a new icon that is displayed next to the Signal Strength bars, indicating/confirming that the phone is connected to the Extender, but the number of Signal Strength bars remains the same.
One other thing I’m wondering about is the possibility of giving the 2GIG Panel ‘priority access’ to the Extender: “Your device is set to Open Access by default, allowing six devices to connect to the Network Extender without restrictions. Designate Verizon Wireless callers to receive priority access to the Network Extender network. By setting your network up in My Verizon for managed access you can designate as many as 50 Verizon Wireless numbers.” Does the Verzion Communicator in the 2GIG Panel have a telephone number that is associated within it? If so, it is probably possible to give the Panel priority access.
(4) Good to know, and hopefully we’ll get a chance to test the 2-way voice during the course of the installation. Planning to go ahead with my 2GIG order soon.
(6) And thanks for the link to the additional Garage Sensor!
(7) A technician from my Cable ISP will be coming tomorrow, and I am thinking of rewiring/relocating the Modem/Router (and thus also the Network Extender, which must remain connected to the router) to the master bedroom, which we understand is usually the best location for the 2GIG Main Panel.