To open a free My-Gcom administrator and management account you need an active email address (for account validation, Log Reports and gen. notification purposes) together with your Gcom device 15 digit IMEI number. Enter your details on the signup page and select a security question to answer (used for forgotten password recovery). On successful signup the My-Gcom portal will send an account validation email to your email address. On receipt just click on the validation link to activate your new account. Note that additional Gcom device sub accounts can be added later to your main account.
Note that the Gcom’s IMEI number can be found by requesting a SMS status report from your device.

The Gcom520 together with most GSM devices does not have a fixed IP address, as a result the website application cannot directly communicate with the Gcom. The Gcom520 however can make direct communication with the website application and when instructed by your trigger SMS (yourpassword,update;) the Gcom520 will connect to the website database and downloads an encrypted file containing your configuration settings and access telephone numbers. The complete posting process should not take longer than 1 to 2 minutes depending on the service provider.
NOTE that the My-Gcom manager service is offered totally free of charge to you, that’s the reason why you have to trigger the exchange of data yourself. Remember that if the data update is not required immediately then the Gcom520 will automatically download any outstanding posted data during its midnight internet time update routine.

This is one of Skype's anoying features that can upset the formatting of your Access telephone lists. For instructions on how to to remove this feature please click here.

The Gcom520 operating software version number can be found by requesting a SMS status report (password,status;), the software version number is at the bottom of the report just above the IMEI number. Click here for the latest Gcom520 software release notes.

In order to take advantage of improvements and added new features it becomes necessary from time to time to update the Gcom's operating software.

For Gcom520 devices simply send this SMS message to your device “yourpassword,SW UPDATE;” The update will start automatically if a new software version is available.

For Gcom500 devices please click here for instructions.

The Gcom520 is a quad band device and will work almost anywhere in the world where there is a GSM/GPRS cell phone network and the Gcom520 unit can receive a signal.

Yes it is not locked to any network so it can be used with any GSM network provider.

The Gcom520 is equipped with a short dual band antenna, in poor reception areas this antenna can be replaced with a high gain external antenna (standard SMA fitting).

Yes it has a non-volatile memory which will will keep all saved configuration and access security settings safe in the event of a power interruption. A battery backed up supply is recommended so that the Gcom device can stay operational during a power interruption.

For installations not using a battery backup, the internal clock will stop when the supply is interrupted. The Gcom500 relies on the NITZ automatic network time update service which is only available on MTN. The new Gcom520 automatically updates time and date from the My-Gcom time server every 24 hours or on power up.

The Gcom500 requires a 12VDC power supply while the Gcom520 can operate on a 12/24VDC supply. Ideally the supply should have a battery backup and be capable of supplying short term peak currents of +- 500mA.

Both Gcom500 and Gcom520 devices have switching relays rated at 1A @ 30VDC (auxiliary relays should be used for switching mains voltage or heavy loads).

No you will need to provide a RICA registered and data enabled SIM card. At the moment "Pay as You Go" is probably safer and more cost effective that a contract SIM.

To prevent your network operator disconnecting your service if there is no outgoing call activity for 3 months simply send the Gcom520 an SMS text message requesting a status report or airtime balance. The Gcom520’s reply SMS is sufficient to keep SIM card active if done once every 90 days. Alternatively you can set up automatic SMS status reporting.

In “Missed Call Mode” the Gcom520 uses the cell phone network. When you call the device it rejects the call without answering and switches on the device connected to it so there are no call costs incurred. SMS control, configuration acknowledgements and alarm SMS’s are charged at your network operators rate. SMS bundles can be cost effective but normally expire after 30 days (can vary with different networks).
For users using the internet portal for “Over The Air” configuration and automatic time updates, a small amount of data will be consumed (normal use will be less than 1mB/month).

The programmable parameters and access data is saved in the Gcom500 flash memory. Networks and SIM cards can be changed without loosing data.

Yes and No, the Gcom520 can work in open access mode whereby it will respond to any call made to it, or secure access mode when it will only respond to authorized telephone numbers that have been entered into the white or access list.

The DTS 512, 624 and SL100 sliding gate motors can be configured to provide a Tamper or Hijack alarm function on its auxiliary output relay. When connected to one of the Gcom’s alarm inputs, an alarm SMS will be sent to programmed recipients when:
a/ Gate is forced open.
b/ Gate is overloaded within 100mm of closed starting position (hijacking trick to get you out of the car if the gate is jammed closed ).
c/ Gate IR safety beam is interrupted when the gate is triggered (hijacking trick to prevent the gate from closing when the IR beams are taped or painter over).
d/ If the gate is set to auto close and remains open for longer than 3 minutes.

The Alarm settup procedure is as follows:
1/ Disconnect all AC and battery power to the motor.
2/ Note the 6 way dipswitch setting and set all switches off, then set switch 1 and 4 on.
3/ With the gearbox release flap open, reconnect power to the motor.
4/ When the PCB beeper starts beeping every second, set switch 4 off then switch 1 off (beeper will stop after the load pot indication).
5/ Restore the dip switches to their original setting and recalibrate the gate if required.

Most gate motors provide 2 separate trigger inputs for Vehicle Access (fully open) and for Pedestrian Access (pre-set opening). Depending on the gate motors requirements the Gcom520 relay contacts can be wired to provide a low 0V or ground trigger or a High +V trigger. When using the Gcom520 for access control, relay1 must be wired to the fully open trigger input and if required relay2 can be wired to the Pedestrian trigger input. The single relay of the Gcom500 module can only trigger one input.

Although the Gcom520 output relays can be activated by SMS or “Missed Call” mode (one or the other but not both), for general access control requiring an output pulse for activation it is recommended that the Gcom device be operated in “Missed Call mode”

There can be occasional short term GSM network problems from time to time limited to specific networks or locations. If your device is suddenly not performing as it should and you have checked for common problems like power failures or out of airtime then the problem is likely to be network related.
click here to check your network for problems.

MTN "Please Call Me"
Dial: *121* cellphone number #

CELL C "Please Call Me"
Dial: *111* cellphone number #

VODACOM "Please Call Me"
Dial : *140* cellphone number #

VIRGIN MOBILE "Please Call Me"
Dial: *125* cellphine number #

8ta (Telkom Mobile) "Please Call Me"
Dial: *140* cellphone number #

FNB CONNECT "Please Call Me"
Dial: *140* cellphone number #