[Hidden-tech] Satellite Phone

[Spike McLarty]

Similar to cell or wireless phone, if you can get line-of-sight to somebody
with wifi, you can buy or homebrew an antenna that will allow you to tap
into a wifi signal from several miles away.  Maybe a neighbor who'd like to
share their broadband bill?
Here's where I first read about this, probably totally dated now:
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2001/pulpit_20010628_000421.html


On Tue, Aug 12, 2014 at 8:47 PM, Craig D. Miller <cmiller at hampshire.edu>
wrote:

>    ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>    ** If you did, we all thank you.
>
>
>
>  Hi Ken,
>
> I use a HughesNet Gen4 satellite internet and phone service on a hilltop
> in Shelburne.
>
> Internet: $50/month internet for 10/gb/month max (& hook my wifi router to
> it) -- fast burst rate (10mb/sec download) for email and web surfing,
> FORGETABBOUTIT if you want streaming internet or skype calls, because of
> the satellite delay (~700ms ping, if you know what that means).
>
> Phone: $30/month for unlimited US and Canada calling.  I plug my land line
> phone into the satellite phone box.  NO direct international calling, so I
> just use a phone card with 800 number.
>
> It is only better and cheaper if you have a more expensive or very poor
> land line phone, and no clear cell signal and no cable or DSL.  That's my
> house -- its all relative folks, so "better and cheaper" that what?  For me
> it is a life saver.  I use it as a backup, and use cell phone and office
> internet for my heavy surfing and calling.
>
> Also, all outdoor wireless signals get blocked by weather -- thick storm
> clouds with snow or heavy rain will block a satellite signal.  My cell
> phone actually gets better in snow, because the snow bounces the cell
> signals over the hill that blocks the cell tower.
>
> Craig
> craigdmiller.com
>
>
> Ken Russell wrote, On 8/12/14, 9:45 AM:
>
>  Friends,
>
>  We have a small retreat center on a mountain-top in Shutesbury -- phone
> and net access are iffy at best.
>
>  Does anyone know about satellite phones or other (ideally inexpensive!)
> methods of getting better service in such places?
>
>  Cheers,
>
>
>  Ken
>
>
>
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