This week, we’re thrilled to spotlight Hugh, a Systems Engineer at a local university and one of the earliest adopters of the Hornet Nest Alarm Panel. Hugh has graciously shared his story, from initial inspiration to installation, and we couldn’t be more excited to showcase his experience.

Hugh’s Story

1. What motivated you to install the Hornet Nest Alarm Panel, and what problems has it solved for you?

"I knew I wanted a security system when I started building my house 12 years ago. Staying at beach houses in the Outer Banks inspired me, but I knew I wanted hard-wired sensors rather than battery-operated wireless ones. During construction, I pulled all the necessary cables, but for years, they sat as a spaghetti mess in my basement. I originally looked into Honeywell solutions but felt they were outdated and didn’t align with my preference for open-source control. Serendipitously, I learned about the Hornet Nest Alarm Panel through a colleague—it was exactly the solution I had been waiting for."

2. How was the installation process? Did anything stand out?

"While I’ve been interested in Home Assistant for years, I was starting from scratch, so the entire process felt a bit intimidating. However, integrating the Hornet Nest board itself was straightforward. Since this was a prototype, I know we were working through issues that have since been resolved. Overall, I’m excited to see how the system evolves."

3. How are you currently using the board, and what features stand out? Do you have plans to expand your setup?

"I’m still in the installation phase, working on configuring my last six sensors. But I’ve already started planning: integrating the garage door sensor to turn on the floodlights, sending alerts to my phone for external door/window triggers, and more. My dad, who helped with the initial wiring, was amazed to see all the cables connected to the Hornet Nest panel. I’m most excited to have a functional solution after all these years!"

4. What would you tell someone considering backing this campaign?

"This board is incredible. The engineering is phenomenal—it’s professional, it works, and it’s not a pipe dream. I know most crowdfunding campaigns don’t materialize, but this one is different. It exists, and I have it installed in my house!"

Your Feedback Drives Innovation

Hugh’s story is a testament to the collaborative spirit of this campaign. Early adopters and supporters like you have shaped—and continue to shape—the evolution of the Hornet Nest Alarm Panel.

Have questions, suggestions, or ideas for future features? Let us know through the "Ask a Question" link. Your feedback is essential to making this project the best it can be.

Stay tuned for more real-world insights, and thank you for being part of this journey!