Security
Can a gate callbox be modernized without trenching the driveway?
A residential client with an aging Sentex analog callbox wanted video, phone control and visitor codes at the gate without replacing the gate hardware or digging up the drive. Here is how the Akuvox X912S upgrade went.
Yes. Rivas Technology Group replaced a failing Sentex analog callbox with an Akuvox X912S IP video intercom, reusing the existing low-voltage gate wiring and the door strike. We added a PoE injector with UPS backup and an Alta Labs Route10 router at the gate. We also repaired the damaged ISP fiber jumper on the same visit.
By Ivan Rivas, Owner and Sales Engineer · 2025-10-14 · Updated 2026-09-17
What was the starting point?
A Sentex analog callbox on a landline. The system at this private residence on Mercer Island failed often, had no video, no remote access and no mobile control, and depended on a legacy phone line. The homeowner wanted a gate that could be answered and opened from a phone, could issue codes to visitors, and could be managed remotely. That had to happen without tearing up the driveway or replacing the gate operator and strike.
What were the constraints?
Five. The Sentex hardware was failing and had to go. The client required reuse of the existing door strike and low-voltage wiring. The gate needed secure IP networking without relying on Wi-Fi from the house. The scope had to avoid trenching. And, discovered on site, the ISP's fiber line at the service entrance had been installed with bends far tighter than the manufacturer's radius, causing signal loss on the whole property.
What did we install?
An Akuvox X912S IP video intercom in a surface-mount stainless enclosure, with an Akuvox S567 indoor monitor. The X912S gives the household face recognition, NFC cards and fobs, PIN entry, Bluetooth entry, QR codes for visitors, HD video with night vision, and control from a smartphone app. Cloud-based call routing means a visitor reaches a phone wherever the owner is. Rivas Technology Group is an Akuvox certified intercom installer (ACIA and ACII).
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Intercom | Sentex analog callbox replaced by Akuvox X912S |
| Mounting | Surface-mount stainless enclosure |
| Networking | Alta Labs Route10 router installed at the gate, shielded Cat6 patching |
| Connectivity | Analog line replaced by IP, cloud managed |
| Wiring | Existing low-voltage gate wiring reused |
| Door strike | Existing strike retained and integrated |
| Power | PoE injector, UPS battery backup |
| Fiber | Damaged ISP fiber jumper replaced |
| Staging | Configured and tested in our lab before deployment |
Why stage it in the lab first?
To make the site day short. Before the visit we configured the X912S and the S567 monitor in our integration lab: directory and user settings loaded, SIP calling tested, cloud profiles set. On site the work was mounting, wiring and verification rather than setup, which is how a gate intercom becomes a one-day install.
What was wrong with the fiber?
The bend radius. At the service network interface the homeowner's fiber had been looped so tightly that it was distorting the signal and degrading connectivity across the house. We replaced the fiber jumper and restored signal integrity before putting the network equipment at the gate on it. A gate intercom is a network device, and a network with a damaged trunk fails at the gate first.
What did the client get?
A gate that opens from a phone and issues codes for deliveries. The homeowner described the change from the old callbox as night and day, and singled out opening the gate from the phone and sending QR codes for deliveries. The wiring and strike that were already in the ground are still in service.
What does this mean for your gate?
Legacy access systems can be modernized without replacing the infrastructure. Reusing sound wiring and adding IP hardware, a wired router at the gate and battery backup delivers a modern access system with long-term reliability. Rivas Technology Group installs gate access control, video intercoms, cloud access upgrades and the fiber and network integration behind them. We serve homes and businesses in south King County and Pierce County, from our office in Kent. The Olympic Peninsula is by appointment. Intercoms for commercial doors are on the business security page.
Need it installed?
Start on the Mercer Island page or the home security page, get a range from the instant quote, or book a walk-through below.
