Problem with Response wireless alarm

[news]

I have an "SA5 Response" wireless alarm system manufactured by Novar Electrical Devices. Most of the time it works fine, but occasionally the external siren goes off all by itself. That is, there is no actual alarm condition, and the siren in the in-house control panel does not go off.

The external siren is mounted well away from any metalwork, and I have set it to ignore radio jamming. The siren tamper switch appears to be operating properly.

I have called the Novar helpline about this, but they seem utterly clueless.

Needless to say, this behaviour doesn't go down too well with the neighbours. Has anyone here experienced this problem and found a solution?

[Harry Bloomfield]

news has brought this to us :

Is there a radio amateur nearby perhaps?

[Hugh Jampton]

I had *exactly* the same problem. I bought a "SA3 Response" wireless alarm system in April 2005. As with you it worked fine most of the time but occasionally the external siren (only) went off all by itself when not activated :-(

Rang their helpline several times - a few suggestions were made but none worked. Got fed up in the end and insisted on more help - they then told me to take it back to where I bought it (B&Q) and ask for a replacement. I did that and got it replaced. I've reinstalled the new alarm (March 2006) and so far it's working perfectly :-)

I think there was a problem with these alarms manufactured at a certain time - a neighbour also had the same problem and had his replaced. Shame really - nice product - I'm very happy with my SA3 now that it's working properly.

HTH.

[news]

In message , Harry Bloomfield writes

Erm, yes, very close. In this house, actually :-))

So I already knew what to look for. But I am not active, and there aren't any other amateurs living anywhere near here.

[news]

Hugh, that is very interesting. In fact, the problem first occurred soon after I bought the alarm. I left the external siren in place for about 9 months, then took it down because it was waking the neighbours. It was only a month or so ago that I put it up again, hoping that the problem had "gone away".

Trouble is, it is now over 3 years since I bought the alarm, so I suspect B&Q would not be very sympathetic if I took it back now.