Goals of this project

To create a simple, effective, inexpensive way to turn the electric fence on or off from a remote location. We will do this using cell phone text messages. This project was inspired by and heavily based on the FIDO FarmHack project.

First of all, make sure that all the messages on the phone have been erased. Now make sure the Arduino is reset while already plugged into the phone. After a power up, if the light blinks green, then things are fine and you can go ahead and program!

Programming Fido can be done in two text messages.

First, text Fido the default master pin, "#FIDO" - Fido will make you the owner and you will be allowed to program Fido settings.

Building a back-up battery for your Arduino just takes a little bit of soldering! Take a look at the following circuit.

You can find a Motorola C168i on Ebay for less than 10 dollars. The simplest way to get service for it is to buy a pay-as-you-go SIM card, at Radio Shack for example. While you're there you can also pick up the 3/32 plug; unfortunately, they don't have any information on the packaging but I've included a figure here for your reference (see left).

What is Fido?

Fido is a farmer-built electronic tool that can monitor greenhouse temperature, record greenhouse data, and alert the farmer to problems in the greenhouse via cell phone text message. This tool is much more affordable than commercially available greenhouse alarms. Fido has been tested by several farmers to ensure that it is accessible and appropriate for various operations...