UPB RF remote suggestions?

I was told UPB is the best light control system. Which RF remote control is the best to be able to control all the lights? The model number? I don't like IR remote, since it is limited by the IR limitation. Thanks for your help!

While PulseWorx does have an RF line, there isn't a nice UPB remote out there. Most of us (including myself) rely on a home automation controller, which can use be used to bridge different technologies (i.e., I use X10-RF remotes and sensors).

There's always this dude from WGL Design:
http://www.wgldesigns.com/upb572.html

A bit pricey, but doesn't require a Homeautomation package.

--Dan

P.s. I have 0 experience with that product. I DO use the W800 made by WGL. However, it interfaces to Homeseer...which does my X10 RF to UPB translation.

drozwood90 said:

There's always this dude from WGL Design:
http://www.wgldesigns.com/upb572.html

A bit pricey, but doesn't require a Homeautomation package.

--Dan

P.s. I have 0 experience with that product. I DO use the W800 made by WGL. However, it interfaces to Homeseer...which does my X10 RF to UPB translation.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the inputs. I visited that site, it says:

"These signals are received by a quarter wave whip antenna and presented to a very sensitive 310Mhz receiver internal to the UPB572 module. This data is then mapped to specified UPB addresses, Link ID, Direct ID and Network ID. "

From reading, it seems the UPB transmitter using 310Mhz ASK RF transmitter. Some of them using 433.92Mhz ASK transmitter, those transmitter can be purchased on eBay for $7 or so. Could some software interface with those transmitter directly to make a device like X10 palm remote?
I am currently using X10 and love the X10 palm remote. People tell me UPB is better, so that I am trying to look into how UPB can make things better for me. One thing I don't want to give up is the handhold remote....

You don't have to give it up, that WGL device will allow you to translate X10-RF commands to UPB commands. WGL hardware is very solid (I use the W800RF32 myself), so it's definitely a very good suggestion (one I forgot about myself).

fwd03 said:

Thanks for the inputs. I visited that site, it says:

"These signals are received by a quarter wave whip antenna and presented to a very sensitive 310Mhz receiver internal to the UPB572 module. This data is then mapped to specified UPB addresses, Link ID, Direct ID and Network ID. "

From reading, it seems the UPB transmitter using 310Mhz ASK RF transmitter. Some of them using 433.92Mhz ASK transmitter, those transmitter can be purchased on eBay for $7 or so. Could some software interface with those transmitter directly to make a device like X10 palm remote?
I am currently using X10 and love the X10 palm remote. People tell me UPB is better, so that I am trying to look into how UPB can make things better for me. One thing I don't want to give up is the handhold remote....

Click to expand...

UPB runs over the powerline, in an RF protocol. All that box does, is allow you to receive the X10 RF from your Palmpad, then IT maps THAT to the UPB ON/OFF/DIM/Link. You tell it WHAT you want mapped to what (A3 = UPB Dining Room Light, or A4 = UPB Dining Room Link). You use Upstart to setup the links and switches, then somehow load that into this box.

After you do that, you push A3, it is received by this box, which then tells the UPB PIM (Powerline Interface) what UPB commands to send.

You don't lose anything, but gain UPB. Or, as has been pointed out, use something like Homeseer, which can Rx and Tx X10, UPB, Zwave, etc..etc... BUT then you need to run a computer 24x7.

--Dan

drozwood90 said:

UPB runs over the powerline, in an RF protocol. All that box does, is allow you to receive the X10 RF from your Palmpad, then IT maps THAT to the UPB ON/OFF/DIM/Link. You tell it WHAT you want mapped to what (A3 = UPB Dining Room Light, or A4 = UPB Dining Room Link). You use Upstart to setup the links and switches, then somehow load that into this box.

After you do that, you push A3, it is received by this box, which then tells the UPB PIM (Powerline Interface) what UPB commands to send.

You don't lose anything, but gain UPB. Or, as has been pointed out, use something like Homeseer, which can Rx and Tx X10, UPB, Zwave, etc..etc... BUT then you need to run a computer 24x7.

--Dan

Click to expand...

Thanks, Dan. I don't want to run a computer 24x7. From what you said, UPB does not have its own RF remote control like X10?

Another option that is remote-esque would be Web Mountain's new (bada$$) RUC. Instead of a hand held remote you would instead use your phone (or really any browser but, there are native iOS and Android apps). It also allows for remote (as in off site) control and status feedback. A bit more robust than a standard remote.

fwd03 said:

Thanks, Dan. I don't want to run a computer 24x7. From what you said, UPB does not have its own RF remote control like X10?

Click to expand...

No, UPB is Powerline. That's why Pulseworx has some RF stuff. And WGL made this translator. I personally would use the translator (based on the information I know from you). You already have and like the X10 Palmpads. They are cheap, can be used and hacked to do lots of stuff. Then you just add in this translator thing and a PIM and you are rocking and rolling!

The key to this statement was, you are not trying to replace the Palmpads. If you are, then this might not be the best solution, unless you find another X10 RF remote you like.

--Dan

X10 is a cheap and widely available protocol - their RF stuff works pretty well, but their powerline stuff is pretty weak - it's very prone to signal issues, interference, etc. As has been mentioned above, you can bridge the two fairly easily... I also use the W800RF32 by WGL into an automation controller - but the item that drozwood linked above is basically a direct bridge that skips the need for the 24/7 computer.

I'm using that combined with many of the X10 slimfire, palmpad, and other remotes you're familiar with. I did install one of these antennas to increase range - and it's working great. The only thing I don't love about X10 is that their remotes are a bit "sloppy". They don't transmit a perfectly clean signal and there's no real error correction built in - they just transmit a whole lot to try to compensate. But when you can score them for $3 each, it's hard to complain. Also there's no security in X10RF - if your neighbor decides to implement it tomorrow, you guys will be conflicting (and anyone can get a transmitter and screw with you).

The Web Mountain RUC listed above is another option... while I don't think it'll do exactly what you want today, it sounds like in the very near future you'll be able to use it to bridge multiple technologies as well - like Z-Wave to UPB. Their development team seems to be moving pretty quickly so this might be a real option by the time you're ready.

thanks for your help!

There are a number of ways to implement RF wireless control of UPB networks. One way is to use RF gear from Linear (or similar companies) along with UPB IO modules. Linear sells motion detectors and handheld wireless remotes that are being used in many homes to control UPB modules. Basically, these devices provide contact closures, and the UPB IO module is used to detect the contact closure and send out a UPB command. You might also want to consider the RF products that PCS makes based on the Enocean protocol. Enocean controllers are very cool because they send RF signals, but require no batteries. The energy of the button push is harvested to form and send the RF signals. PCS makes the RF-receiver that converts the Enocean RF signals into UPB control commands. If you want to stay with the wireless-X10 remotes, other posters have suggested a number of ways to interface them to your UPB network. Our RUC-01 does support X10 to UPB conversions, so by adding the RUC-01K (which includes a UPB PIM) along with a Smarthome 1132B, 2412S or 2413S, you can map any of the X10 button pushes on your wireless remotes (using the appropriate receiver) to the proper UPB actions.

If you have specific questions on a particular approach, just contact us.