Garage Door Opener 390 Mhz Frequency Interference

BREAKING NEWS 03/14/10: Since 2004 the Government has told Garage Door Opener Manufacturers to update their frequency technology due to the upcoming communication changes within the Government. Most of them complied. However, there were some who have ignored (I presume) or just did not make the needed changes as required by the Department of Defense. Yes being in business is hard at times, we get that...but when consumers who patronize your companies for quality products for the benefit of coming home day in and day out to have a reliable and functioning garage door, I feel that they just seem to turn the other cheek for greater PROFITS. Certainly there is nothing wrong with profits...that is why I am in business. But, one example of this is the Overhead Door Corporation or the Japan-based Sanwa Shutter who owns Overhead Door through its Sanwa USA subsidiary. Recently in San Antonio, Texas USA (http://www.ksat.com/news/22816740/detail.html) my clients have been experiencing intermittent interference due to the continued use of the 390 Mhz frequency built into its Genie and Overhead Door Brand of Garage Door Openers. Other manufacturers have completely revamped their products to comply with the Governments need to use a frequency that according to the FCC belongs to them anyway. I have been promoting and installing these great products for the past 5 years and now it seems that the Overhead Door Corp. is again turning the other cheek and will not cover the cost of replacing the technology currently used in their products. My clients feel have trusted our company to educate them on the best products for their use and now are upset due to this pending disruption.

Overhead Door Corp. representatives say that people living in a 1/2 - 1 mile radius might be affected, I find that hard to believe since I have clients as far as 11 miles from the NSA building complaining of interference from the LMR (Land Mobile Radio) Antennas. The current interference is in the "TEST MODE" and the live mode will not take place until April 1, 2010. Some April Fools this is going to be! Of course there is a solution for the matter:
1. Purchase the external 315 Mhz module (average cost $45.00 per unit plus labor)
2. Purchase Additional Remotes (average cost $28.00 per unit)
3. Purchase Compatible Keyless Entry Pad (average cost $40.00 per unit)
4. Replace the your Garage Door Opener all together (average cost $300.00 parts and labor)

Why should the consumers pay for anything to begin with since Overhead Door Corp. knew about the pending changes almost 6 years ago or so. I would be a miracle from the Garage Door Opener Gods if they do the right thing. Only time will tell and maybe the old adage should be used here "the squeaky wheel get the oil".

In conclusion, we can point fingers all day and all night, but we just want better support from companies who rely on us to promote their products. It is my opinion that if the Overhead Door Corp. and its board of directors want to see continued success for years to come they would do right by its constituents who have put them there "THE CONSUMER".

I look forward to your response in the near future. Inform me if this is happening in your community and what is being done about it.

Warmly,

The Garage Door Guy