Send wake-up command?

[JustApu]

Has anyone tried sending a "wake-up" command to an ERT meter?

In particular, I'm interested in reading an Itron 40GB ERT (gas meter) that is probably in "wake-up" mode instead of "bubble up" mode based on the fact I can "hear" other meters but not my own. Granted, I haven't done any exhaustive legal research but ISM frequencies are generally unlicensed if you stay within power limits, bandwidth rules, etc. (see your local WiFi access point) and I can't imagine an USB-powered RTL dongle putting out that much power.

[bemasher]

There are a lot of reasons you wouldn't want to do this:

• Rtl-sdr compatible radios are receive only, you would need a different radio.
• Based on the information I've found about the wake-up signal used on meters like the 40G (I've got one), is that the wake-up signal is transmitted above the 902-928 MHz ISM band, and transmitting there would require licensing.
• Most meters configured in wake-up mode rather than bubble-up mode have sealed batteries intended to last the lifetime of the device. Waking it any more often than the utility planned will kill your meter's battery faster than planned.
• I don't believe the wake-up signal is meter-specific, so transmitting would wake any meters in the area that can hear it.
• You might have to explain to your utility why all the meters surrounding your place of service died before their replacement schedule said they should.
• You will likely be liable for the cost of replacing any meters that died prematurely.

TLDR: Don't.