Free SMS node-red

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Mike Biddell

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Oct 9, 2016, 3:13:31 PM10/9/16
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Anyone got any suggestions for a free sms service to use with node. I've never tried Twilio, but it's free to sign up, but you eventually pay don't you???


Ben Hardill

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Oct 9, 2016, 3:38:18 PM10/9/16
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Hi

I think Twilio will let you send messages to a single designated number for free, but they stick some text on the beginning of each message.

If you want to send messages to multiple numbers you'll probably have to pay something.

I have a USB 3G stick with a pay as you go sim plugged into a rPi running some software called kannel (http://www.kannel.org/) that lets me send/receive SMS messages via http

It also has a MMS plugin mbuni (http://www.mbuni.org/) that lets me send pictures and video the same way.

I wrote my set up a long time ago here:

http://www.hardill.me.uk/wordpress/2010/02/25/how-to-get-a-txt-msg-from-your-burglar/
http://www.hardill.me.uk/wordpress/2010/02/26/how-to-get-personal-cctv-mmsd-to-your-phone/

Julian Knight

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Oct 9, 2016, 4:00:35 PM10/9/16
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If you have a mobile, I think some vendors allow you to send sms via email? They used to anyway don't know if they still do.

Do you actually need SMS? Or would notifications do? Something like Telegraph which is what I use can be good & is multi-platform including Windows Phone.

Mike Biddell

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Oct 9, 2016, 4:10:29 PM10/9/16
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Gents

Thanks for the advice.... I'll mull that over.

I'm planning to use Alexa for a couple of voice initiated emergency actions, one of which sends out an sms to nominated people. The other one sends panic to the alarm, which then dials out.

It would be applicable to anyone with ageing relatives. "Alexa get help"

Mike
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