It was just 2 years ago I put in all new 3G/4G AT&T cellular Communicators for over 100 customers and they for most part have been nothing but headaches to maintain.
Because AT&T never fully implemented 4G-HPSA and the 3G band is overcrowded causing signals to drop all the time. I get daily over a dozen or more fail reports. from AT&T communicators and with Verizon hardly ever.
To make matters worse AT&T has been shutting down 4G- HPSA Bands on towers to implement 4G-LTE forcing all the communicators down on the overcrowded 3G band its so bad I have had to upgrade early to 4G -LTE because 3G/4G cellular communicators because AT&T towers are so overcrowded in some areas.,and 3G/4G will be shut down on Feb 1 2022 so I am ahead of the game to start replacing them now.
But I am not installing AT&T communicators I am installing all Verizon 4G-LTE
Communicator because I am tired of the lies and deceit from AT&T and absolutely horrendous coverage. I have a 4G-LTE cell phone and can hardly use it due to the poor coverage in the tri state
This is ridiculous ,some of my customers have now had to change for the 3rd time they're communicators in a 11 year period.
First it was Analog was being shut down for Digital then its 2G digital is being shut down and now 3G and 4G HPSA being shut down each time it has cost my customers $100.00 plus for the communicator plus my labor . Time spent and wasted which could be put to better use assisting customers and doing installs instead of consonantly chasing Cell Phone issues caused by AT&T because even the early Verizon units I have installed and will have to change in 2022 I have had no issues.
Of course this leaves Honeywell, Napco, Telguard and Uplink stuck with thousands of unusable communicators they still have sitting on the shelves brand new with worthless stock and every time AT&T or Verizon advance cell technology the amount of electronic waste is incredible
Because no one is recycling these old communicators and their boards .
Electronic Waste or E Waste as it is known is a very huge problem in this country and what recycling is done is small and expensive to do.
But instead of working on and improving existing technology its just faster and cheaper for Cell company's to just completely ditch it and bring out a new product. same bull shit thats gone on with the 2 way radio re farming plan.
Shame on you AT&T for being deceitful to all when you said these new 3G/4g communicators would last for a good while and be future of communication and its not even 5 years .
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Wiring Horrors found while correcting an Exit Signage Issue. Some people just do not get what danger they cause the public when they play electrician
Recently I was called to troubleshoot an issue at a Flea Market Complex which was having some issues with Exit Signs not working when I ran across this mess most of which I corrected ,but more work needs to be done because people setting up booths often play electricians and every time you turn around you find another horror story at places like this all over the Tri- State Why people think they can do there own wiring and think they do not have to follow codes in a public place is beyond comprehension but it goes on all the time . and as you can see below wires where cut off spliced with out proper connectors and junction boxes and just taped. The booth owner got mad when i cut the wiring off and told him fix it or take it out said he was going to sue me blah blah blah I said fine call police and I will call code enforcement. .he was eventually evicted by owners.
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
New Oakmont Bakery causing all kind of Traffic Issues why was this location ever approved when it was known was going to be a traffic Hazzard?
Despite local town officials being warned by many who regularly drive thru oakmont how bad an ideal it was to locate a bakery across from a High school and on main route thru town which is heavily traveled and backups regularly
Oakmont officials gave their blessing to it .
Oakmont officials gave their blessing to it .
Why Penndot permitted it also is a big question now there is calls for Penndot to examine the intersection and add traffic lights and no left turn signs.
To add to all this students who drive to and attend Riverview High School are petitioning to get 30 reserved parking spaces owned by the town to allow them to park because they are now having problems getting parked and on time for school.
Personally I never saw the big deal over the Bakery they do make fantastic cakes etc. But other bakeries also make great cakes from scratch as well and their donuts are not as good as other bakery's I have stopped at all over the tri-state area. Like Blue Bonnet in Homestead and O'Rams and De'angeloes in Beaver County .
But Oakmont is the 600 pound gorilla when it comes to bake goods due to all their advertising which brings people in from all over .
Im really happy for the owners they have seen great success but all these officials saying they are surprised by all the problems ? Really?
Well hopefully lessons have been learned the hard way as usual because foresight seems to be one of the really lacking skills here in South Western Pa. I see it time and again bad decision's and panic reactions all due to bad planning. and its not just Oakmont it is every community .
decisions are made and never thought thru just look at he mess we have in Penn Hills with the school district and new high school all of which was 100% avoidable just like the oakmont bakery deal .
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Long Recalled Chemetronics 601 Series Fire Alarm Heat Detectors . Thousands of them still out there causing issues becuse they will not activate a fire alarm.
When a Smoke Detector can not be used in certain rooms and areas the trusty Heat detector is used instead.
Unfortunately one very popular brand Heat Detector at the time made in1980s thru 90s and by the thousands by Chemetronics Inc. has a very dangerous flaw to it where it allows the terminals where wiring is attached to pop off its mounting base and then no protection is the result often time the Fire Alarm Panel is not even made aware of the dangerous condition. as the circuit is not broken to allow a trouble condition at panel.
As can be seen in the photo above the brass connector plate for wiring has popped off by itself and
in this case was causing a false alarm every time a train came by this factory on Neville Island Pa. and vibrated the brass connection against the steel beam .
Part of the problem also is these where private labeled and sold under many different names . Chemetronics is no longer in business and may have been bought out.
Needless to say every one of these units will be changed in this plant ,but there are thousands more out there with this same potential and when called on will not cause an alarm condition.
I notified the Consumer Products Safety Commission about these units almost 20 years ago . and not only are these units still out there thousands of an earlier version of Chemetronics heat detectors where recalled back in mid 90s and I am still finding them on jobs and removing them took 2 out last year.
Unfortunately one very popular brand Heat Detector at the time made in1980s thru 90s and by the thousands by Chemetronics Inc. has a very dangerous flaw to it where it allows the terminals where wiring is attached to pop off its mounting base and then no protection is the result often time the Fire Alarm Panel is not even made aware of the dangerous condition. as the circuit is not broken to allow a trouble condition at panel.
in this case was causing a false alarm every time a train came by this factory on Neville Island Pa. and vibrated the brass connection against the steel beam .
Part of the problem also is these where private labeled and sold under many different names . Chemetronics is no longer in business and may have been bought out.
Needless to say every one of these units will be changed in this plant ,but there are thousands more out there with this same potential and when called on will not cause an alarm condition.
I notified the Consumer Products Safety Commission about these units almost 20 years ago . and not only are these units still out there thousands of an earlier version of Chemetronics heat detectors where recalled back in mid 90s and I am still finding them on jobs and removing them took 2 out last year.
But this is not the only problem there are many smoke detectors and smoke alarms on recall as well siting in homes and business still being used as well.
Friday, December 7, 2018
Big ASS Fans a new trend in Warehouses and Auditoriums that requires careful code conciderations
Big Ass fans as they are commonly known and one company actually sells them under that name are a popular way to move large amounts of air to help keep large spaces cool in summer and warm in winter . think of a paddle fan but these units have 6 foot blades on them and operate on 230 to 480 volt Three Phase power .Like the unit in Picture below.
One of the problems with these big fans is because of the amount of air they move they need to be shut down during a Fire Event so most have a built in jumper you remove and connect in a relay from fire system to shut it down and lock it out when fire alarm activates.As you can see in picture below the red fire wire connected to the Power Flex " Variable Frequency Drive " which I recently wired in at a warehouse .
Because of the extreme force these fans produce careful consideration must also be made to insure personnel do not get close enough to be struck by the blades even though they do not move real fast they do have a lot of power behind them and I do not know if they have a break away clutch feature.
But you can bet as effective as they are the word is spreading and you will be seeing more of them in the future .
But you can bet as effective as they are the word is spreading and you will be seeing more of them in the future .
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Things you learn when installing surveillance systems in business . The employee who objects the loudest is usually the one causing the issue why the cameras are needed
In my over the 40 years I have installed Surveillance Camera Systems the encounters I have had when putting them in seems to always be the same .
While most employees welcome them because it protects them because it shows they are doing their jobs and not causing issues it also protects their personnel property from theft and vandalism like when some one gets mad at them and keys their car.
There is always that one employee who carry's on and threatens to quit their job and is gonna sue everyone etc etc. because their rights are being violated.
Well sorry no they are not when the cameras are out and visible unless your state has rules otherwise.
unless its a restroom or locker room its pretty much any other room is fair game in most states.
So typically what happens after I install a camera system and I come back a few days later to do any final adjustments I find that employee who did all the screaming and carrying on has left and so has all the issues why the system needed installed in the first place. Because something Improper, Immoral or Illegal was going on .
Take a small super market I did 15 year ago in South Hills of Pittsburgh after owner was told by his insurance carrier to install additional cameras because his workers compensation claims where getting too high. Seems every time a pallet of bottles or other easily breakable items came in there was always damage or Shrinkage as its known going on in back room . One time I was close enough doing work I saw sure enough they where throwing a small football around and some one fell over a pallet and items got broke . I had not yet installed the cameras but let manager know what I saw but without proof what could he do.
So after the cameras where installed the employee who was always clowning around and screamed the loudest had quit his job , and ironically so did all the shrinkage issues. Amazing right. But this is what happened each and every time I have installed cameras in a retail or office situation.
Industrial plants on other hand cameras are more welcome because it protects employees like the time a fire broke out on a machine employees where able to show their boss exactly how it happened and that no one was around it .In another case a camera on the loading dock showed proof positive 12 pallets of product was loaded on a truck not 10 like driver claimed when he delivered it ends up he was shorting customers and stealing the product, again the guys on the loading dock where happy because it proved they where doing their jobs correctly.
Cameras are a 2 edged sword and most people could care less they are being watched but if they do screw up it also shows that as well but an honest mistake is an honest mistake no harm no foul.
accidents happen.
So when you have that employee who objects to cameras or other security measures thats the one you watch. cant scientifically prove it but in my 40 years of work thats what I have found to be true.
Plus after an investigation of this employee has been done you usually find they have caused other problems at other places they worked as well and they are often delinquent on their bills frequently change addresses because they are avoiding bill collectors or law enforcement or they have not paid their rent,often having skipped out on a lease. They are basically Con Artists .
I had a case recently where it was discovered a manager had stolen $85K from a business after cameras were installed in New Castle Pa. after they left in a huff because cameras where being installed and an audit was performed .The kicker after they Left they started a similar business next town over and where using the stolen proceeds and products to run that business. Talk about bold .
When asked why they said it was because they and their helpers where not paid enough to manage the business.
Its a dam shame what business owners have to do to protect the bottom line but its a known fact employee theft is a major reason why businesses fail. Because its the biggest single amount of theft after Shoplifting , Burglary , Fraud and Armed Robbery.
While most employees welcome them because it protects them because it shows they are doing their jobs and not causing issues it also protects their personnel property from theft and vandalism like when some one gets mad at them and keys their car.
There is always that one employee who carry's on and threatens to quit their job and is gonna sue everyone etc etc. because their rights are being violated.
Well sorry no they are not when the cameras are out and visible unless your state has rules otherwise.
unless its a restroom or locker room its pretty much any other room is fair game in most states.
So typically what happens after I install a camera system and I come back a few days later to do any final adjustments I find that employee who did all the screaming and carrying on has left and so has all the issues why the system needed installed in the first place. Because something Improper, Immoral or Illegal was going on .
Take a small super market I did 15 year ago in South Hills of Pittsburgh after owner was told by his insurance carrier to install additional cameras because his workers compensation claims where getting too high. Seems every time a pallet of bottles or other easily breakable items came in there was always damage or Shrinkage as its known going on in back room . One time I was close enough doing work I saw sure enough they where throwing a small football around and some one fell over a pallet and items got broke . I had not yet installed the cameras but let manager know what I saw but without proof what could he do.
So after the cameras where installed the employee who was always clowning around and screamed the loudest had quit his job , and ironically so did all the shrinkage issues. Amazing right. But this is what happened each and every time I have installed cameras in a retail or office situation.
Industrial plants on other hand cameras are more welcome because it protects employees like the time a fire broke out on a machine employees where able to show their boss exactly how it happened and that no one was around it .In another case a camera on the loading dock showed proof positive 12 pallets of product was loaded on a truck not 10 like driver claimed when he delivered it ends up he was shorting customers and stealing the product, again the guys on the loading dock where happy because it proved they where doing their jobs correctly.
Cameras are a 2 edged sword and most people could care less they are being watched but if they do screw up it also shows that as well but an honest mistake is an honest mistake no harm no foul.
accidents happen.
So when you have that employee who objects to cameras or other security measures thats the one you watch. cant scientifically prove it but in my 40 years of work thats what I have found to be true.
Plus after an investigation of this employee has been done you usually find they have caused other problems at other places they worked as well and they are often delinquent on their bills frequently change addresses because they are avoiding bill collectors or law enforcement or they have not paid their rent,often having skipped out on a lease. They are basically Con Artists .
I had a case recently where it was discovered a manager had stolen $85K from a business after cameras were installed in New Castle Pa. after they left in a huff because cameras where being installed and an audit was performed .The kicker after they Left they started a similar business next town over and where using the stolen proceeds and products to run that business. Talk about bold .
When asked why they said it was because they and their helpers where not paid enough to manage the business.
Its a dam shame what business owners have to do to protect the bottom line but its a known fact employee theft is a major reason why businesses fail. Because its the biggest single amount of theft after Shoplifting , Burglary , Fraud and Armed Robbery.
Monday, October 29, 2018
It is No Suprise to me the Tragedy at New Life Temple here in Pittsburgh where 11 Jews where murdered let me tell you why?
Let me tell you about why I am not surprised why that gunman walked
in to New Life Temple and tragically and coldly took 11 lives .
If you spend any time around the Jewish or African American Communities around Pittsburgh You will here the term Pittsburgh Mississippi . No not a town in the state of Mississippi.
They are referring to The City of Pittsburgh and how they feel living here like its a city in the deep south . I know exactly how they feel.
Even Thou I have not one drop of Jewish Blood in my body I do have a last name with a Jewish spelling this came about because when my Grandfather Markowitz came from the Ukraine he could sign his name and was automatically thought to be Jewish not the son of a peasant farmer by immigration officials on Ellis Island . Most peasants could only make there mark on papers and not sign full name.
Having the last name Markowitz I have felt the full effect of Antisemitism in this city even being called a kike on the job and denied employment in the trades or felt or heard on the job..
Something I have never experienced or felt outside of the Pittsburgh region or many states I regularly travel.
It has been so bad at times I had to take the Penn Hills #224 Volunteer Fire Dept before the Pa. Human Relaxations Commission. because of those Anti Semites who where in the dept. who tried to hurt me knowing I had a bad leg and they put a smashed pop can in my fire boots and even small nails.
You just need to ride around Penn hills and Plum Boro and you will find over a dozen homes flying confederate flags .
Travel up US 22 to Blairsville on the weekend to Jonnet Flea market and inside and some times outside you will find vendors selling KKK emblems and stickers and other memorabilia I have even seen Buddy Black and George Foster known KKK leaders walking around the market at times.
Did you know W Pa. has one of the highest concentrations of hate groups and membership in the country ? Look it up.
I was recently at a customers business who has a large ware house on Neville Island and who has several African Americans who work and drive for them I have became friendly with them over time and when I walk in they say high we shake hands ask how things are going etc. and a Driver from an outside vendor walked up to me and asked me why I was being friendly with that N word .
He was told to get in his truck and leave Im over 6ft 200 pounds so he did not give me an argument I wont tolerate it and neither will my customers .
When I got gas this summer at a gas station in Penn Hills a white man walked up to me after seeing a young African American girl cut off another driver and he goes to me did you see that? I said yes he then goes into a explicit speech about her being to dumb to be a slave they would have just killed here down south. I said her being inconsiderate has nothing to do with her race and I did not appreciate his words. He turned and left before I leveled him.
I once did work for a real estate company in Oakland section of Pittsburgh and when I heard antisemitic statements coming out of the owners mouth about Cheap Jews at. Then one day he asked me where I lived I said Penn Hills he said he moved and wondered how I could let my wife shop at the giant Eagles with all those blacks and was I worried about it. I told him no im not a bigot and never took another job off him.
Its a shame all the nasty bigotry I hear and see almost weekly in this are something I never see once I am out of Western P.a.
So was I surprised when New Life Temple was shot up? not at all knowing the amount of White Trash and human POS pieces of shit that live around me. in this area.
What breeds it I do not know because you are not born a racist ,but I do know we also have a high amount of those with mental Health issues in this are which causes the paranoia . Maybe it something in the water and ground after all the years of pollution spoiling it. But its more peoples own failings and wanting to blame somebody for something because they are a failure.
If you spend any time around the Jewish or African American Communities around Pittsburgh You will here the term Pittsburgh Mississippi . No not a town in the state of Mississippi.
They are referring to The City of Pittsburgh and how they feel living here like its a city in the deep south . I know exactly how they feel.
Even Thou I have not one drop of Jewish Blood in my body I do have a last name with a Jewish spelling this came about because when my Grandfather Markowitz came from the Ukraine he could sign his name and was automatically thought to be Jewish not the son of a peasant farmer by immigration officials on Ellis Island . Most peasants could only make there mark on papers and not sign full name.
Having the last name Markowitz I have felt the full effect of Antisemitism in this city even being called a kike on the job and denied employment in the trades or felt or heard on the job..
Something I have never experienced or felt outside of the Pittsburgh region or many states I regularly travel.
It has been so bad at times I had to take the Penn Hills #224 Volunteer Fire Dept before the Pa. Human Relaxations Commission. because of those Anti Semites who where in the dept. who tried to hurt me knowing I had a bad leg and they put a smashed pop can in my fire boots and even small nails.
You just need to ride around Penn hills and Plum Boro and you will find over a dozen homes flying confederate flags .
Travel up US 22 to Blairsville on the weekend to Jonnet Flea market and inside and some times outside you will find vendors selling KKK emblems and stickers and other memorabilia I have even seen Buddy Black and George Foster known KKK leaders walking around the market at times.
Did you know W Pa. has one of the highest concentrations of hate groups and membership in the country ? Look it up.
I was recently at a customers business who has a large ware house on Neville Island and who has several African Americans who work and drive for them I have became friendly with them over time and when I walk in they say high we shake hands ask how things are going etc. and a Driver from an outside vendor walked up to me and asked me why I was being friendly with that N word .
He was told to get in his truck and leave Im over 6ft 200 pounds so he did not give me an argument I wont tolerate it and neither will my customers .
When I got gas this summer at a gas station in Penn Hills a white man walked up to me after seeing a young African American girl cut off another driver and he goes to me did you see that? I said yes he then goes into a explicit speech about her being to dumb to be a slave they would have just killed here down south. I said her being inconsiderate has nothing to do with her race and I did not appreciate his words. He turned and left before I leveled him.
I once did work for a real estate company in Oakland section of Pittsburgh and when I heard antisemitic statements coming out of the owners mouth about Cheap Jews at. Then one day he asked me where I lived I said Penn Hills he said he moved and wondered how I could let my wife shop at the giant Eagles with all those blacks and was I worried about it. I told him no im not a bigot and never took another job off him.
Its a shame all the nasty bigotry I hear and see almost weekly in this are something I never see once I am out of Western P.a.
So was I surprised when New Life Temple was shot up? not at all knowing the amount of White Trash and human POS pieces of shit that live around me. in this area.
What breeds it I do not know because you are not born a racist ,but I do know we also have a high amount of those with mental Health issues in this are which causes the paranoia . Maybe it something in the water and ground after all the years of pollution spoiling it. But its more peoples own failings and wanting to blame somebody for something because they are a failure.
Saturday, October 6, 2018
Honeywell Security Products wants Dealers to Upgrade all panels using Total Connect 1# to Total Connect 2 # so they can discontinue TC 1 there is just one Problem $$$$
As of January 2020 Honeywell Security Products soon to be known as Residio due to the coming company spin off another disaster I see on the horizon ,will no longer support Total Connect 1# products
They would like all dealers to encourage theirTC1# customers to upgrade to TC 2# by then.
One big Problem and thats Cost Especially for my Commercial Customers who use the
Vista 32,128,250 BP and FB-P series of panels
To change out these boards they cost $350 to 500.00 Plus dealer cost plus time to convert over and reprogram to Turbo Series Panels which can do TC2#
The other problem as of late they have been hard to get they are never in stock and they hardly ever go on sale at ADI the only place you can get them at Dealer Cost.
So in some cases the panels are going on 20 years of service it time to change but some are only 10 or less years in use. So those owners get screwed .
The big Vista series panels as we call them are very solid panel and will probably go for many more years before needing change but owners and dealers are getting screwed instead of Honeywell figuring out a better way to back engineer and support their older products.
We got screwed on the 4G cellular deal had to buy and change out whole IGSMV and GSMV etc communicators instead of just changing an internal board like other alarm products on market
and this is going to be Honeywells last chance to fuck everyone over once more before the spin off.
In a way many including myself are glad Honeywell is getting out of the market as many dealers have done so installing DMP and Bosch instead.
I just hope this new deal and new name is not another total Clusterfuck.
They would like all dealers to encourage theirTC1# customers to upgrade to TC 2# by then.
One big Problem and thats Cost Especially for my Commercial Customers who use the
Vista 32,128,250 BP and FB-P series of panels
To change out these boards they cost $350 to 500.00 Plus dealer cost plus time to convert over and reprogram to Turbo Series Panels which can do TC2#
The other problem as of late they have been hard to get they are never in stock and they hardly ever go on sale at ADI the only place you can get them at Dealer Cost.
So in some cases the panels are going on 20 years of service it time to change but some are only 10 or less years in use. So those owners get screwed .
The big Vista series panels as we call them are very solid panel and will probably go for many more years before needing change but owners and dealers are getting screwed instead of Honeywell figuring out a better way to back engineer and support their older products.
We got screwed on the 4G cellular deal had to buy and change out whole IGSMV and GSMV etc communicators instead of just changing an internal board like other alarm products on market
and this is going to be Honeywells last chance to fuck everyone over once more before the spin off.
In a way many including myself are glad Honeywell is getting out of the market as many dealers have done so installing DMP and Bosch instead.
I just hope this new deal and new name is not another total Clusterfuck.
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