GSM Dialer Sim Card

[lavinpj1]

I'd like to set up a GSM dialer for SMS to replace my landline connected voice dialer. This would simply alert me rather than going via a 3rd party. I don't really want to pay monthly for a contract nor do I want to top up a pay-as-you-go sim every time the credit expires due to non-use.

Does anyone know of a good sim card to use that'll allow me to put a small amount of credit that'll hopefully last for the foreseeable future?

 

[Nintendofan]

I use a Sainburys mobile PAYG sim, put £10 credit on, last forever or until the credit is used. Need to make a call/text every 6 months to keep the sim active on the network (but I think that applies to any SIM) but you should be making test calls weekly/monthly anyway. Balance can be checked online.

 

[lavinpj1]

Thanks, Paul. Do you have a GSM dialer than can automatically send test messages or do you do this manually?

 

[Nintendofan]

Thanks, Paul. Do you have a GSM dialer than can automatically send test messages or do you do this manually?

I have a Pyronix V2 GSM voice/text dialler, it has the option to send a test text (I've set it to once a week) and I manually set the alarm off maybe once a month just to make sure the voice message in the event of an alarm comes through.

 

[Twenty Four]

Having tried a few for reception testing purposes I settled on an 02 sim and it just so happens Tesco use 02 and only charge 4p per text. I use my dialler a lot as it is connected to many automated outputs controlling things around the home and so opted to use the top up facility Tesco offer online whereby my sim gets topped up £10 automatically every time my balance reaches £10. Tesco only charge £9 too for a £10 top up which makes texts even cheaper at circa 3.6p each. I think only Giff Gaff are cheaper at 0p per text but then texts have to be from Giff Gaff to Giff Gaff.

Choose a sim that has decent reception where you live and make sure you can top up easily online. Your GSM dialler probably can be set to text a test message to your phone at a predetermined interval meaning your sim won't ever expire, I know my dialler can be.

 

[Nintendofan]

I think only Giff Gaff are cheaper at 0p per text but then texts have to be from Giff Gaff to Giff Gaff.

Be careful as I'm sure certain sim cards wont work in all GSM diallers, Giff Gaff I was told use a different type of sim when I bought my dialler.

 

[Twenty Four]

I think only Giff Gaff are cheaper at 0p per text but then texts have to be from Giff Gaff to Giff Gaff.

Be careful as I'm sure certain sim cards wont work in all GSM diallers, Giff Gaff I was told use a different type of sim when I bought my dialler.

3G only sims won't work in a dialler as far as I know, so ruling out 3. That said, you're not committed to whatever PAYG sim you test anyway so it's no biggy.

 

[Nintendofan]

no biggy, but could stop hours of frustration trying to get a sim working that's just not going to work.

 

[Nintendofan]

I'd like to set up a GSM dialer for SMS to replace my landline connected voice dialer. This would simply alert me rather than going via a 3rd party. I don't really want to pay monthly for a contract nor do I want to top up a pay-as-you-go sim every time the credit expires due to non-use.

Does anyone know of a good sim card to use that'll allow me to put a small amount of credit that'll hopefully last for the foreseeable future?

After recommending Sainburys mobile PAYG I've received a text from them yesterday advising all their customers that they'll cease trading as a mobile operator completely from January next year, need to find another cheap PAYG now.

 

[secureiam]

giff gaff uses the o2 network I believe and I use it in my demo kit for gprs mainly.

 

[Gazzae]

I built an arduino sms system for my texecom panel using a gsm shield, I'm using giffgaff at the moment and all seems good, I have it programed to send an sms to two different numbers when there is an alarm event. I'm working on voice notification at the moment, but all working good so far. Only cost about £25 as arduino parts are dirt cheap these days.

 

[secureiam]

@Gazzae be interested to know more about that

 

[Gazzae]

No worries secureiam what would you like to know?

 

[secureiam]

interested in the whole setup/project to be honest, but be best to take it off here along with the level of integration.

 

[Gazzae]

Ok I'll get some info together and send it to you, can you pm on here?