House to shop intercom

[Brewsterbuff]

I'm not sure this is in the right area but here goes anyway.

I had HeathKit intercom, house to garage for many years. It worked great but then died so I replaced it with Radio Shack 43-3105 X 3, about 15 years ago. Worked great up until about 2 months ago, then started doing goofy things. It works good in the house but doesn't receive in the garage, talk from garage to house is OK. Looking back and after reading from several forums I think I have found the problem, now I need a solution. I decided to replace the 25 Fluorescent lights with LEDs as the old fixtures go bad. So far I have done only 4. After reading this today I tried them with all lights turned off. THEY WORK! New LEDs must be my problem. Does anyone know of a logical fix. I bought 100 LED 4' tubes. Figured as the Fluorescents died I would replace until all were finished, house, garage, basement, everywhere. Bad Move?

 

[Pen & Wrench]

Cell phones?

 

[James-W]

I take it this is a wireless system. One option is to use a wired system, but that may not be practical or even possible without some seriously complicated running of wires.

Personally, I would try buying a new telephone with a wall phone and a portable handset. We have one made by Panasonic and it has an intercom on it. Works great from our house to the garage. The base wall phone is roughly 50 feet from the garage. I suspect a telephone/intercom system with a different frequency would probably work just fine.

 

[The Cobbler]

^^^and I " don't think" my phones have to be plugged in to a CO system to work as intercoms

 

[kwright]

I had an intercom a decade ago, but removed it several years ago now and we simply use our cell phones... mostly texting, though calling occasionally. One less thing to maintain.

 

[Specracer]

If a wired solution is an option, an older analog business phone system can be found for very little money. These will have intercom, and paging.

If wireless, as mentioned above, look at a cordless phone system. If you buy a DECT 6.0 system (recommended), there are repeaters if you have range issues.

 

[OldracerJones]

I have an intercom between my metal shop building and the house. They are about 20 feet away at the closest point. The Wife can page me when I'm working or I can page her if I need something. It's worked great for about five years now. Bought it off amazon for around $30.

 

[NUTTSGT]

A buddy had one once, he called it a nag-com. I quickly learned that I didn't want one. If need be, we use our cell phones and shoot a text back and forth.


If you still want an intercom and the wiring is there, maybe an old set of TA 312 phones will work.

 

[protegeV]

Forget intercoms, I need a cell jammer so no one can bother me.

 

[Brewsterbuff]

I bought a new Panasonic 3 portable, wireless phone system, with paging and intercom.We set everything up. terrible reception and no communication with my shop, about 120 feet from house to shop. Bought a Panasonic repeater. With no electrical outlet between the two buildings the repeater doesn't work either. Tried running extension cords to a mid point just to test repeater, didn't help at all. Phone has very weak volume and sounds garbled. JUNK. If I turn off one circuit of shop lights the Radio Shack intercom works fine. Would it help if I move the intercom to a different circuit in my garage main panel?

 

[RPH]

My pole barn is like a cheap faraday cage. Once in cell phone signal goes to zero and the no service message pops up until I’m outside again.

 

[Notgrownup]

I bought a new Panasonic 3 portable, wireless phone system, with paging and intercom.We set everything up. terrible reception and no communication with my shop, about 120 feet from house to shop. Bought a Panasonic repeater. With no electrical outlet between the two buildings the repeater doesn't work either. Tried running extension cords to a mid point just to test repeater, didn't help at all. Phone has very weak volume and sounds garbled. JUNK. If I turn off one circuit of shop lights the Radio Shack intercom works fine. Would it help if I move the intercom to a different circuit in my garage main panel?

I bought the same with 5 handsets.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I once had a power line intercom on my old shop. It worked great sometimes, but other times it just pissed my wife off due to not working. I found that when a charger for battery tools was plugged in at the shop that it disrupted the communication. Now we just text and she gets upset because I was using a grinder and did not hear it or feel it vibrate. Haha.

 

[pattenp]

If it's wireless I don't think the interference is over the wiring circuit so I don't see how moving the garage unit it to a different circuit will help. It's probably RF from the LED's messing up the wireless signal of the intercom.

 

[redidbull]

I have a couple of the FRS radios. We also use them when we are in separates cars driving together. Sure the phones work but if there are multiple cars it is just easier. Jim
https://www.amazon.com/Midland-Talkies-Channel-Hands-Free-Resistant/dp/B007B5ZNV8/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1550329615&sr=8-19&keywords=frs+radio+pair

 

[JRC3]

Underground PVC speaking tube.

 

[Northislander]

My son bought me an Alexa for the shop with wireless plugs so i can have Alexa turn on the shop vacuum etc. I don't have an Alexa in the house but if i did i could use her as an intercom.

 

[jimreed2160]

My son bought me an Alexa for the shop with wireless plugs so i can have Alexa turn on the shop vacuum etc. I don't have an Alexa in the house but if i did i could use her as an intercom.

This is what I do. We have Echo Dots all over the house, including one in my garage shop. The "drop in" intercom feature works great. No help for the OP because of wireless issues, however.

Perhaps a set of those cheap walkie talkies is your best bet. It would only cost $20-30 to find out.

 

[cspcrx]

Amazon Echo Dots. I have one in my garage, I use it to stream music and there is a “Drop In” feature. So my wife will say “Alexa drop in on the garage” and we can talk.

 

[Copymutt]

My son bought me an Alexa for the shop with wireless plugs so i can have Alexa turn on the shop vacuum etc. I don't have an Alexa in the house but if i did i could use her as an intercom.

I have both, an old Novi wireless intercom which constantly needs to be reset and a 2nd Alexa puck for $29.00.
I have to say the Alexa is far superior and many many functions. She even keeps track of what I like to listen to (not the wife). Hard wired her to my surround, Alexa, not the wife.
Alexa also keeps my lists for trips to town.

 

[ZRX61]

Aldis lamps...or semaphore flags:

 

[AA7483]

Was going to suggest alexas drop in feature as well. Seems to be the easiest if you have wifi out there

 

[Innovate1]

Should have kept the Heathkit and repaired it! Ah... The memories of Heathkit. Still have an SB300 and SB401 ham receiver and transmitter on the shelf and a few other odds and ends.

Don't really have suggestions but there have been creative suggestions. The sound tube brought back memories of using a tube system in an open cockpit airplane. No electrical interference from the ignition and actually worked well.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Way back in the darker ages we used a Fischer Price Baby Monitor. I bought several of the FP units at garage sales.
I installed a FP monitor in the supervisors office, at work. The receiver went in our lunch room. The super was a real back-stabber, as it turned out.
When management discovered the FP monitor the SHXX hit the fan. No one confessed so the company installed a live video camera. One night the power went off and when the power came back on another FP baby monitor had been installed and better hidden.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

This is what I do. We have Echo Dots all over the house, including one in my garage shop. The "drop in" intercom feature works great.

I am not a paranoid Luddite but that Alexa worries me. I don’t think I could ever have it in my house. It listens to everything.

 

[JRC3]

Way back in the darker ages we used a Fischer Price Baby Monitor. I bought several of the FP units at garage sales.
I installed a FP monitor in the supervisors office, at work. The receiver went in our lunch room. The super was a real back-stabber, as it turned out.
When management discovered the FP monitor the SHXX hit the fan. No one confessed so the company installed a live video camera. One night the power went off and when the power came back on another FP baby monitor had been installed and better hidden.

That's wrong for so many reasons. There could be personal things with and about fellow employees discussed in that office. The word "childish" comes to mind but sadly it sounds like an adult/adults were involved.

 

[Roundhouse]

Engenius phones have a intercom feature
But FRS or MURS walkie talkies seem the best

Or you could use a CB radio ...

 

[isb cornbinder]

That's wrong for so many reasons. There could be personal things with and about fellow employees discussed in that office. The word "childish" comes to mind but sadly it sounds like an adult/adults were involved.

I cannot disagree with you.

 

[rharman]

Should have kept the Heathkit and repaired it! Ah... The memories of Heathkit. Still have an SB300 and SB401 ham receiver and transmitter on the shelf and a few other odds and ends.

Don't really have suggestions but there have been creative suggestions. The sound tube brought back memories of using a tube system in an open cockpit airplane. No electrical interference from the ignition and actually worked well.

Probably 45 or more years ago, I built a Heathkit VTVM. Had no use for it but it just seemed nifty to build at the time. I *thought* I'd get into electronics/engineering but it never happened.

 

[bugnut]

Zello for cell phone

 

[kbuhagiar]

One more vote for Amazon Echo Dots (Alexa), as an all-around garage companion...

Alexa, play (insert favorite song/album/radio station)
Alexa, what time is it?
Alexa, set alarm for 5:30PM (dinner)
Alexa, set reminder for day/time (wife's birthday, anniversary, etc.)
Alexa, drop in kitchen (intercom)
Alexa, do the Giants play tonight?

Etc, etc, etc.

 

[Chilliwack Murray]

Sorry, had to...



But seriously, I just keep my cellphone on me and either text or call. Most people have more minutes than they can use I think.

 

[kbuhagiar]

Sorry, had to...

It's already happened. My best friend is a wiseass.

 

[jshillin]

I use the Alexa as well. I use it for my music now also, I have it running through my receiver.

 

[bullnerd]

Is there a fee for Alexas? No nothing about them but sounds handy.

Texting is a PIA, much rather push a button and hear a voice than text back and forth 20 times to get a simple answer, especially with greasy/dirty hands. I only have one phone and try to keep it at least a little bit clean.

 

[JRC3]

Is there a fee for Alexas? No nothing about them but sounds handy.

Texting is a PIA, much rather push a button and hear a voice than text back and forth 20 times to get a simple answer, especially with greasy/dirty hands. I only have one phone and try to keep it at least a little bit clean.

I have Google Home Mini(s). No fee, Alexa is the same. I tell it to remind me or set my calender or whatever...And it does it to my phone so the phone acts just like I set it up on my phone. And just like mentioned, I ask it questions, tell it to play music just like Alexa or all the assistant devices. Basically it's Google without the screen and mouse. I also use it to control lighting and devices around the house and garage.

Alexa, Google Home, Siri...They're all about the same. The mini devices are under $50 and sometimes around $30.

 

[teamextreme]

Or you could use a CB radio ...

Breaker one-nine, House Mama you got your ears on?

 

[bullnerd]

I have Google Home Mini(s). No fee, Alexa is the same. I tell it to remind me or set my calender or whatever...And it does it to my phone so the phone acts just like I set it up on my phone. And just like mentioned, I ask it questions, tell it to play music just like Alexa or all the assistant devices. Basically it's Google without the screen and mouse. I also use it to control lighting and devices around the house and garage.

Alexa, Google Home, Siri...They're all about the same. The mini devices are under $50 and sometimes around $30.

That's pretty cool.

So I don't need Amazon prime or anything like that? Just buy it and sync to wifi?

 

[JRC3]

Just buy it and sync to wifi?

Pretty much. It will need to be set up on a device like a phone or a tablet.

 

[bullnerd]

Pretty much. It will need to be set up on a device like a phone or a tablet.

Awesome! Thanks JR.