Posted on 02/19/2022 11:52:26 AM PST by upchuck
After a three week absence which ran from Feb 5 to 19, I'm back.
Some FReepers will celebrate my return. Others will feel differently :)
Long story short, I live out in the country in Aiken County, SC. Nearest neighbors are 1/4 mile away and we don't communicate that much.
Due to the remote location, there is no "wired Internet" out here. I chose to use my cell phone's Hotspot to connect to my home computer and the cell tower located about .75 mile from here.
This worked fine for 4+ years. I use the Internet A LOT to keep up with happenings. Don't watch TV. Don't own a TV, etc.
On Feb 5 this year my hotspot connected to the computer just as always. But for some reason it wouldn't connect to the cell tower. Thus endeth upchuck's connection to FR.
Now the Hotspot is working properly again and I'm back to harass my FReeper friends. I manage several ping lists and pings will start again when appropriate. Sure is nice to be home again.
What do you call the exact opposite of an “opus”?
A supo?
5.56mm
I’ve heard good things about Starlink as well.
My way out of the way place of employment where cell signals don’t reach is looking at getting Starlink as a backup for the inevitable cable cut by a contractor with a backhoe that happens every couple of years.
The internet has been flaking out here lately and I finally broke down and got a replacement for 7 year old modem.
Spectrum had it authorized in a few minutes.
Maybe 5 minutes later back up.
The higher speed part is short but I think you will still get overall better performance. Most of the phone companies are selling hot spot portable boxes with so called unlimited data but can't swear by them never used them. I just pay for a data plan on my iPad usually get service anywhere with occasional dead spots on the road. Some of the phone companies are offering Home network over their phone network. I think they come with some better antenna stuff for home which should offer better service than your phone.
And upchuck apparently doesn’t do calendar math.
Or maybe 2 weeks away from FR just felt like 3 weeks to the poor fella...
I was thrilled the I upgraded my 48k modem.
They use whatever is available. Heck I get my phone service from Spectrum Cable co and they don't have any cell towers anywhere. Cheapest rates anywhere because you don't have to pay Al Gore's phone tax charges added for the poor. Unconstitutional? Sure but we still pay it.
No but they watch them thanks to us tax payers that can't afford them. But seriously TVs are so cheap now that it would be hard to be poor enough to not be able to afford one. I use mine mostly to watch YouTubers wrestle with life's daily problems.
You can get a 32 inch Roku tv at WalMart for $149.00 that is wireless only.
It is really a big deal when you are out in the middle of nowhere. lol
Harder to get than a Tesla even after they hang on to your deposit for a year or two. Their new square dish has a heater built in to make sure snow doesn't block the signal, unfortunately cats like the heater too.
I have an EERO Mesh system that lets me allocate time to any device that is on line. Even set restrictions on content all from my iPad. I could see lots of fun opportunities for you there.
welcome back
Spectrum forced me to install a new one which they provided a few weeks back. They said it was necessary for their upgraded service. They deliver me over 100 Mgb down 12 up, in a rural setting to boot.
What is nice is that you can do things to the modem to improve its function and “reception” versus a smart phone or tablet as a hotspot.
The modem that I saw came with a router/wifi and an elaborate antenna system. You can add the antenna to a tall pole and aim it for best reception. As far as network and LAN is concerned, you could probably use your own router/wifi although the solution sold one with the modem as as part of a solution.
Telephone data is probably slower than home based cable or dsl but it is better than nothing for rural folks and way better than dial up. Some people are even able to stream netfilx.
I learned years ago about buying my own modems.
The first time with old Time Warner was some phone time and aggravation.
Now, chat and relay the MAC address. The fellow on the other end did his thing.
Arris units have done well for me.
It’s the same Hotspot but a bunch of changes were made to Access Point Names (APN) to fix the problem.
I certainly hope not.
I have also heard good things about Starlink. Also heard bad things - pricing.
My current setup is doing just what I need. I do not see a reason to change.
Paid for it a long time ago. Estimated to be available by last September(?) and still waiting. Recent events make me wonder how much longer we might have to wait.
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