Home Security - Is one of your layers becoming obsolete?

[308win]

Many when discussing home security speak of rings of security that include home alarm systems. I was reading an article in today's paper that stated that many home security systems that use wireless as a notification method will become obsolete if they can not be upgraded to digital service. Seems that come February when the cellular carriers are allowed to take down analog service many devices including home security systems and older On Star systems will no longer work and may not be upgradeable. The Alarm Industry Communications Committee estimates that for about 140,000 installations analog was the only link and that as many as 400,000 use analog as a backup. True digital systems did not become available until 2006 according the the AICC and systems sold as digital may be using a digital subchannel of the analog network. AT&t, Verizon, and Alltel were identified as the largest carriers that still have analog networks in operation.

 

[bruss01]

My dog will turn 14 years old in the next couple of months. She is losing her hearing as a result of age and typically responds only to higher frequency noises at this point. So I guess you could say that, as a biologically powered alarm system, she is becomming obsolete. You could call her a "semi-retired" dog. Fortunately we have a back-up dog that is still in good working order. Pitty da foo - I say PITTY DA FOO - who gets past these two and encounters the next layer of defense, and pray that she isn't PMS'ing.

 

[2TransAms]

I don't have a Home Security system,because the guys who install them on some of our new homes have told me that anyone who knows anything about them can get past easily.

I've got:

Black lab/German shepherd outside

Jack Russell inside

Mossberg 500,Kimber TLE,and S&W 19 in the bedroom.

And a wife who doesn't take crap when it comes to our baby boy's well-being. Ain't nobody getting too far inside the door if she's home.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

I don't have a Home Security system,because the guys who install them on some of our new homes have told me that anyone who knows anything about them can get past easily.

Anyone who knows anything about car locks can get past them easily, but I still lock my truck.

Likewise, anyone knows anything about CQB can take out a single defender pretty easily... just saying... that's why there are layers.

 

[Elmer Fudd]

Thanks for posting this.

 

[JamisJockey]

No, but it might be less effective.
Burglar kicks in door. Alarm goes off. Probably a good cue to the burglar to leave. This gives me ample warning to retrieve a firearm. My neighbors might hear it and call the police, too.

I don't have a Home Security system,because the guys who install them on some of our new homes have told me that anyone who knows anything about them can get past easily.

Most criminals aren't professional thieves. They are junkies and punks looking for an easy score they can pawn. Its another layer. And if a professional comes to your 'hood, he'll probably pass the house with an alarm and hit the house without.

 

[Pax Jordana]

There's a word for this, and we call it 'progress'.

Castle walls stopped most stuff, then someone invented the cannon. Castle walls became thicker, and then ultimately it was decided that building such walls just wasn't worth the trouble.

When analog networks are dropped, theoretically you're only losing the backup redundancy. And you can bet your bippie there will be upgrades for sale.

 

[DrewH]

ADT upgraded my analog cellular alarms to a digital (GSM, I think) one for $199.