Intercom to shop

[Baldbigears]

Anybody have suggestions for a kitchen to shop intercom. Distance as wire would run would be close to 200 feet. Wireless won't work because shop is metal building. 120 volt receptacle plug in units won't work because shop has its own electric meter and ground system.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have intercom that works thru my phone line. but i ran copper wire for phone years ago. I use a commercial phone/intercom system. Its worked flawlessly for 20 years.

but if you dont have buried phone line….it gets alot harder.

my system uses 7 phones with units in basement, master bed, kitchen, office, shop, barn and carriage barn. About 250’ between house and barn and same between house and shop.

 

[mwayne]

Aiphone LEM-1DLS Intercom Starter Kit

Master Station + Weatherproof Door Station + AC Transformer

www.gokeyless.com

The security guys at work recommended this to me when I had a similar situation. Almost 300 ft and 5 years without any issues.

 

[jyoutz]

Cell phone

 

[ponytug]

Cell phone

While @Baldbigears shop is apparently metal, that might be a tad difficult. But picking up on the theme, how about a small cellphone repeater into the shop? It might have more uses than just an intercom....

All the best,

Peter

 

[jyoutz]

While @Baldbigears shop is apparently metal, that might be a tad difficult. But picking up on the theme, how about a small cellphone repeater into the shop? It might have more uses than just an intercom....

All the best,

Peter

My barn is metal, but I have no issues with using my cell phone in there.

 

[newbury]

My sheds are metal and act like a Faraday cage.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Anybody have suggestions for a kitchen to shop intercom. Distance as wire would run would be close to 200 feet. Wireless won't work because shop is metal building. 120 volt receptacle plug in units won't work because shop has its own electric meter and ground system.

Dear Lord, why would you want that?

Give up that peace and quiet?



How hard would it be to run a conduit underground from point A to point B?

And my cell phone works in my metal shop building, no problem.

 

[D&D]

While @Baldbigears shop is apparently metal, that might be a tad difficult. But picking up on the theme, how about a small cellphone repeater into the shop? It might have more uses than just an intercom....

All the best,

Peter

Why not use a wireless bridge? You can then use wifi calling on your phone

 

[mikester]

Install a second POTS phone line in the shop
Dig a trench and bury an internet connection between the house and shop
Wireless point to point internet/LAN between the house and barn
Bring your cellphone into the shop

BTW I have a wireless driveway alarm >1,000 feet away at one of my farm entrances and I get a signal in my all steel barn

 

[techman]

If you have wifi get a couple of Amazon Echo Dots. We have several in the house and they make great intercoms as well as supplying some free entertainment

 

[oosik]

I have a pair of Kenwood handi-talkies. KPG-87D. Rechargeable LI batteries and, supposedly, five mile range. Operate under the FCC - MURS program. One kept at home - the other with me - anywhere on my property. No muss - no fuss. 100% operation - 100% of the time.

 

[grsthegreat]

This is what i use to receive cell and wifi inside my metal shop. I could never use cell phone inside shop. I also need computer to run my cnc plasma table, with this i am able to do both. I switched my phone to wifi calling. I now have full phone use deep inside steel building.

Extend ANY WiFi System to Shop, garage, barn - Connect kit | RadioLabs

Powerful WiFi kit, Extends WiFi to any building, detached garage, barn, shop, where you need internet. Connects to all home routers, starlink or hotspots

www.radiolabs.com

 

[Oaktree]

I have a pair of Kenwood handi-talkies. KPG-87D. Rechargeable LI batteries and, supposedly, five mile range. Operate under the FCC - MURS program. One kept at home - the other with me - anywhere on my property. No muss - no fuss. 100% operation - 100% of the time.

I was going to suggest something like that myself. When we bought this place I got a pair of walkie talkies for ~$20 at HD for this purpose. They do the job.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

My cell phone works fine in my barn.
It's metal and insulated. Honestly, I don't care to be bothered while I'm there. I'd prefer NOT to have a direct line to the house. If it's that urgent, walk the 400' to the barn. Funny, it's never that urgent

 

[CliffordK]

It might be worth it to pull CAT 5 or CAT 6 wire to the shop for internet connectivity.

I'd probably pull two runs. However, at least for the older Ethernet connections, the middle four wires were not used by Ethernet and could be used for phone or intercom.

There could be advantages of also pulling coax.

 

[ponytug]

Since the house and the shop are on different power supplies, and given the distance, and the location (weather), if it were me, I would not pull a conductor. Wireless point to point WiFi, or cellular amplifier would be my choices.

2.4GHz 300Mbps 9dBi Outdoor CPE

2.4GHz 300Mbps 9dBi Outdoor CPE

www.tp-link.com

5GHz 300Mbps 13dBi Outdoor CPE

5GHz 300Mbps 13dBi Outdoor CPE

www.tp-link.com

Ethernet (cat5) is good for a maximum distance of 100m/330' with good cable. Cat6 is only good for 55m/180', and Cat 6A is good for up to 100m/330'. To me the issue is going to be lightning storms and the induced voltage on long ethernet runs outside, and the different power supply and grounds in the two buildings is likely to make it worse.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Oaktree]

Since the house and the shop are on different power supplies, and given the distance, and the location (weather), if it were me, I would not pull a conductor. Wireless point to point WiFi, or cellular amplifier would be my choices.

Ethernet (cat5) is good for a maximum distance of 100m/330' with good cable. Cat6 is only good for 55m/180', and Cat 6A is good for up to 100m/330'. To me the issue is going to be lightning storms and the induced voltage on long ethernet runs outside, and the different power supply and grounds in the two buildings is likely to make it worse.

Good points. Another option would be to run fiber. No grounding issues, and you can make a lot longer runs, though it is a bit fragile. Unless you have other wiring to pull, the point-to-point IP link would probably be the easiest option.

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

I use Alexas to page my kids around the house

 

[oosik]

My son keeps telling me to carry my cell phone when I'm out on the property. I know from personal experience - it takes the Paramedics 45 minutes to reach my place.

42+ years out here and by being observant and careful - no really serious conditions have ever happened.

I - now - knock on wood. But what else can an old widowed fellow do.

AND - don't ask me to give up the property and move into town. My son has already tried that - once.