Hello,

I am looking an open source DIY security system that has professional monthly monitoring for a low cost, or even free. I assume there are no free, professional monitoring services available, but wanted to check after seeing some of the affordable DYI systems (w/ monitoring) listed on Consumer Reports (Frontpoint, Samsung SmartThings ADT, and SimpliSafe). Since I travel a fair amount, the security system is 'mostly' for my fiance when she is home alone by herself with our small dog. We don't need a camera or camera monitoring, but 'mainly' a door and / or motion sensors.

Also, I am not sure if there are any systems out there that can call the police directly if a sensor is tripped, or if they all first go to a monitoring company, and then if there is a problem, they notify the police?

Since I am in the telecom industry, I won't have a problem installing and / or configuring any of the equipment. For example, a couple of years ago, I was looking for home security camera that was built into an exterior home light (similar to Kuna), but that didn't have a monthly service fee - an excellent suggestion came back to use Netamo which supported Google Drive, FTP, local storage and 'no' monthly fees.

Thanks in advance!

 

With very few exceptions, local authorities no longer permit security systems to directly call them. You _always_ have to go through a third party, whether it's a central station, or self-monitoring.

There are third party add on's that can give you a mobile phone interface and alerts; but all modern intrusion alarms are really designed for central station communication.

 

Thank you for that info.... Yes, it does seem to be that all (most) monitoring needs to be through central monitoring.